CHAPTER 2
Maldives – Morning
Kyle glanced at Anand’s phone for the fifth time in the last three minutes. The screen lit up again, the same caller trying persistently. Anand was still in the washroom, having left his phone on the table.
With a growing sense of irritation, Kyle picked the phone and answered.
“What is it?” she snapped coldly into the receiver.
On the other end, Aanya recognized Kyle’s voice immediately, and hated that she had picked up the call instead of her father.
It had happened countless times before, especially during the early years of Kyle’s marriage to Anand.
It had taken weeks of silent treatment and ignored calls before Anand realized he had to stop letting Kyle speak to Aanya on his behalf.
“I need to speak to Dad,” Aanya responded, her tone matching Kyle’s in sharpness.
“He’s unavailable right now,” Kyle replied curtly.
“He needs to make himself available. I’m his only daughter,” Aanya snapped back.
“Don’t remind me,” Kyle muttered, her voice laced with disdain. “Anand and I cannot keep cleaning up your mess every single time. Grow up, Aanya.”
Aanya let out a bitter laugh. “What a joke. I’m in this mess because of you . And now you have the nerve to tell me that? You pretend to be this elegant, educated woman in front of everyone, don’t you? I wish you’d used even one percent of that intelligence before ruining my life.”
“Stop it, Aanya,” Kyle roared, standing from the couch and striding off to a more private corner of the suite, away from the washroom.
“I won’t stop!” Aanya’s voice rose. “And you better stop expecting me to dance to your tune. Just tell Dad to call me the moment he’s done. It’s urgent.”
Without waiting for a reply, Aanya ended the call and hurled her phone across the bed. The call had only intensified her hangover and worsened her already foul mood. Hearing her step mother’s voice first thing in the morning? Nothing could ruin a day faster.
Delhi
“Boss, the Malhotra couple is here,” Sunny informed as he approached Reyansh, who was waiting in the private business lounge of one of Delhi’s most elite hotels.
Reyansh rose from his seat, straightening the cuffs of his crisp suit as the Malhotra couple entered. Kyle was the first to offer a bright, polished smile. Reyansh returned it with a stiff, formal nod.
“Mr. Malhotra. Mrs. Malhotra,” he greeted, shaking hands with both of them in a businesslike manner.
“It’s been a while since we last met,” Anand said as he took a seat.
“Yes, I believe the last time was at the Summer Fashion Event in Thailand?” Kyle added, glancing at Reyansh.
He nodded slightly. “That’s right.”
Reyansh turned to Anand. “How’s your health, Mr. Malhotra? I heard about your knee.”
“Much better. Had the surgery done in New York. You wouldn’t even guess which knee was the problem. I’m walking just fine now,” Anand said with a small laugh.
“Glad to hear it,” Reyansh replied, leaning back into the plush leather couch. “Mr. Malhotra, I assume Kyle informed you why I asked for this meeting.”
Anand gave a hesitant nod. “Yes… she mentioned it. It was quite a shock, to be honest. Aanya has never contacted you for money before. I later checked my phone and realized I had missed her calls, which must be why she turned to you.”
Reyansh listened silently.
“But don’t worry,” Anand added quickly. “I’ll reimburse you whatever amount you gave her. I’ll have a cheque sent to your office.”
Before he could finish, Kyle interjected.
“Anand, what are you saying? It’s this attitude that keeps her from learning any responsibility. You’re always ready to patch things up without making her face the consequences.”
Before the argument could escalate, Reyansh raised a hand, cutting in.
“That’s not why I asked to meet you, Mr. Malhotra. Please, relax.”
Anand and Kyle exchanged confused glances before turning their attention back to him.
“Then what is it, Reyansh?” Kyle asked cautiously.
Reyansh shifted his gaze to Anand, whose confusion hadn’t lessened.
“I want you to call your daughter back to India,” Reyansh said plainly. “My sister’s birthday is next month. She’s visiting with her husband, and I’m throwing a private party—just close friends and family. I want Aanya to attend the party with me.”
Anand blinked in surprise. Kyle froze beside him, trying to gauge the real meaning behind such a request. Something didn’t add up.
Kyle narrowed her eyes. “Let me get this straight. You want to officially introduce Aanya to the world as your wife? I mean, yes, people know you’re married, but you two have never made any public appearances. That was your choice, remember?”
“That decision was made eighteen months ago, Kyle,” Reyansh replied smoothly. “People change. So do their decisions.”
The couple sat in stunned silence. It was going to be a monumental task convincing Aanya to return, let alone play the role of a doting wife.
Reyansh stood. “Well then, I’ve got other meetings lined up. I’ll see you both at the party next month…”
He paused, flashing a wry smile as he added, “With Aanya, of course.”
With that, he turned and strode out of the lounge, leaving behind a pair of stunned in-laws and a storm already beginning to form.
A Few Hours Later
“Kyle, what kind of mess have we landed in?” Anand asked, pacing anxiously across the room. “This feels impossible. Aanya won’t come back. Not at any cost.”
Kyle sat composedly on the edge of the bed, casually filing her nails while her husband wore a path into the carpet. She had been calm ever since their meeting with Reyansh, but Anand had been spiralling since hearing his son-in-law’s request.
“So, does that mean you’re finally going to say no to Reyansh?” she asked in sarcasm.
Anand stopped mid-step, frowning at her tone. “I wish I could deny him,” he muttered. “But you know that’s next to impossible. He’s my son-in-law, after all.”
Kyle let out a soft hum. “And he isn’t asking for anything outrageous. Aanya is his wife, Anand. All he’s asking is to make a public appearance with her at his sister’s birthday party. If you ask me, his request is entirely reasonable.”
Anand sank onto the bed beside her. For the first time that evening, Kyle set aside the nail file and turned her full attention to him. She leaned her head on his shoulder, entwining her fingers with his.
“Just make up some excuse and call Aanya here,” she suggested.
He nodded slowly. She was right. If he told Aanya the real reason, she’d bolt in the opposite direction. No, he’d need to come up with something clever, something that wouldn’t spark her suspicion.
“I’ll call her tomorrow,” he said at last. “I’ll think of something.”
Kyle smiled, closing her eyes. “Make it good. You know how impossible it is to convince your daughter.”
Anand chuckled dryly. No one knew better than he did. Aanya had always been stubborn, clever, and impossible to fool. She never gave in without a fight, and if she sensed manipulation, she’d push back tenfold. He would have to tread carefully and lie better than he ever had before.
Paris
Aanya sat cross-legged on the bed, her eyes glued to the iPad screen as she scribbled numbers in a notepad beside her, trying to track the balances in each of her bank accounts.
Navya walked in and handed her a chilled beer.
Aanya accepted it with a grunt, took a long swig, and put the iPad away with an irritated huff.
“That’s it? That’s all I have left?” she snapped. “This isn’t even enough to buy a dozen beer bottles!”
Navya took a sip from her own drink and nodded in mock sympathy. “You should’ve spent it wisely,” she teased.
Aanya shot her a glare. Navya raised both hands in a dramatic apology. “Sorry, sorry. But seriously, that Reyansh is no less cunning than a fox. He paid only what was due at the casino that night. Not a penny more.”
Aanya rolled her eyes and gave her a silent glare. Navya took the hint and dropped onto the bed beside her.
“Did you talk to your dad?” Navya asked.
“No. His wife screwed that up,” Aanya muttered bitterly.
“Oh no. So that means we’re stuck until our accounts reload—what, five more days?”
“Yeah, babes,” Aanya pouted. “What about you? Did your dad come through?”
“Mine?” Navya scoffed. “Yeah, and guess what? He scolded me for calling during his business meeting.”
Aanya sighed in disgust. “Our fathers are so irresponsible, Navya. How did we even survive them this long?”
“Because we had our mothers,” Navya said softly. “They were the bridge between us and our dads. The moment they left… everything fell apart.”
Her words stung. Aanya’s gaze dropped to her hands.
She remembered how different life had been when her mother was alive—school, home, laughter, love.
Her mother had been her whole world, teaching her values, managing her studies, building a home that felt safe.
Her father wasn’t bad either. He used to pamper her, surprise her with toys and chocolates, take her swimming and on weekend outings.
Everything changed when her mother passed away and Kyle entered their lives.
Navya noticed her best friend zoning out and nudged her gently. “Hey. Let’s not get into that. How about a disco night? Dance like there’s no tomorrow?”
“Sure, babes,” Aanya said, perking up. “Let me throw on something sexy.”
She stood to get ready, but just then, her phone rang. She looked at the screen and froze.
“Look who finally found time for me,” she muttered and answered. “Hey, Dad.”
“Aanya,” Anand said warmly.
“Yup, I’m alive,” she shot back with a sarcastic edge.
“I know you’re upset, baby. But when you called the other day, I was in the washroom. Kyle had to take the call.”
“Stop making excuses, Dad. Anyway, did you send the money? I’m kind of short here.”
As always, she kept their conversations brief and businesslike. No small talk. No time for lectures.
Anand cleared his throat. “I didn’t send anything.”
“What?” Aanya snapped. “Why?”
“I’m sorry, Aanya. I can’t send you any money right now.”