CHAPTER 10
Malhotra House
“That’s the best news you’ve given me in a long time, Kyle. Aanya and Reyansh…together?” Anand exclaimed, his face lighting up with rare joy.
Kyle, however, didn’t mirror his enthusiasm. Her brows remained arched in suspicion. “This has to be some sort of secret arrangement between the two. They’ve shown zero interest in each other for a year and half. And now, suddenly, they’re a loving couple?”
Anand sighed, the joy in his expression dimming slightly. “Why are you being so judgmental? Don’t you want to see Aanya happy?”
“You think I wouldn’t be happy if she reconciled with Reyansh?” she argued. “I just didn’t expect this to happen so quickly. Don’t forget, they had an ugly fallout before parting ways. How can it be so easy to patch that up? Something doesn’t add up.”
Anand hesitated, the logic in her words gnawing at his optimism.
“And let’s not forget,” Kyle continued, “she wasted her first few days back insulting Reyansh right in our office. You remember how we had to pressure her to apologize? And now, suddenly, she’s moved in with him and playing the perfect wife?
I’m telling you, this isn’t about love or reconciliation.
She’s doing it for you, for the joint venture with Chopras. ”
Anand paced a step and then paused, visibly thinking it through.
“But why would Reyansh agree to it?” he asked finally. “What’s in it for him?”
Kyle’s response was immediate. “Maybe he is doing this for his sister. I heard she’s pregnant again. And you know how inseparable those two are. Maybe Radhika wanted him to mend his marriage. And he’s obliging for her.”
The theory hit too close to truth, and Anand felt a deep unease settle in his chest.
“If that’s the case... I’m worried about where this whole thing will lead,” he confessed.
“Exactly,” Kyle agreed. “If this is all temporary, Aanya will be hurt again.”
Anand walked to her slowly, his expression softening as he watched the fire in her eyes. “You think about her more than she realizes. I often wonder why she still resents you.”
Kyle let out a bitter laugh. “She hates me because I tell her the truth. I don’t sugarcoat her mistakes. But I don’t hate her, Anand. Not even a little. She tests my patience, yes. She triggers my worst instincts, but... I don’t hate her. I love you too much to hate someone who’s a part of you.”
Her voice cracked just slightly as she said that. Anand cupped her face gently and kissed her forehead.
“I know. I just hope one day Aanya can see the mother in you.”
Kyle shook her head. “I don’t need her to. I’m not trying to steal her mother’s place. I never was. And if she never accepts me, that’s fine too.”
Anand smiled at her response. “You and your attitude.”
He pulled her into a warm embrace. Kyle remained motionless, lost in thought.
When she married Anand, she had no expectations from his daughter. She knew Aanya would need time, space, patience.
But what followed was anything but growth.
Aanya remained cold, distant always viewing Kyle as the other woman , not even acknowledging her as a stepmother.
Over time, despite Anand’s efforts, the rift only widened.
Teenage rebellion turned to open defiance.
School complaints poured in. College troubles followed.
And Kyle, being the one left to deal with it all, became the enemy.
Their fights were epic, like two wildcats tearing each other apart with words sharper than knives.
It was then that Anand first floated the idea of marriage to help Aanya find responsibility and maybe, in the process, herself .
A shrill ring shattered her thoughts.
“Excuse me,” she said to Anand and picked up the phone from the bed.
“Hello?”
“Is this Kyle Aunty?”
“Yes. Who’s speaking?”
“Hello, Aunty. I’m Radhika, Reyansh’s sister.”
Kyle exchanged a glance with Anand, then tapped the speaker button.
“Hello, Radhika. How are you? I heard you arrived in India today.”
“Yes, this morning. But how did you find out?”
“Aanya mentioned it. We actually ran into her and Reyansh at a lingerie store today.”
Radhika chuckled.
“And she did mention a party,” Kyle added.
“Yes! In two days. Please don’t miss it. Uncle too. I’d really love to have you both there.”
Kyle looked to Anand again, silently asking for his approval. He nodded.
“Yes, we’ll come,” she confirmed.
“Thank you so much. I’ll see you both soon!”
The line disconnected. Kyle set the phone down slowly.
“I told you,” she muttered. “All of this... every bit of this drama is because of her . Radhika is the soul of that family. Reyansh would walk through fire for her.”
Anand exhaled in growing disbelief. “I should talk to Aanya and ask her what is happening.”
Kyle raised a sceptical brow. “You really think she’ll answer?”
“I have to try.”
“Yes. You should. But wait for the right moment.” She stepped closer. “Timing, Anand. That girl only listens when she’s cornered by consequences.”
Anand nodded slowly. He had long ago learned to trust his wife’s instincts. And right now, she was absolutely certain about Reyansh and Aanya’s sudden togetherness: this wasn’t just a reconciliation. It was for show. And one of them, if not both, was about to get played.
***************
Aanya and Reyansh sat in silence as the car glided through the traffic, heading back home. He kept his gaze fixed on the road, fingers drumming against the steering wheel.
But Aanya wasn’t watching the road. Her eyes were fixed solely on him, absorbing every feature of his face, from the stern curve of his jaw to the intensity in his eyes.
He felt her stare and cut a quick glance toward her. “What?” he snapped. “Never seen a man drive before?”
Aanya let out a soft chuckle.
“Oh, please. I drive better than this. Want to know something crazy? Once I was slightly drunk, and Navya refused to let me drive. But the moment she pulled over to puke, I jumped behind the wheel. She barely sat back in before I sped off. We covered like twenty miles in five minutes.”
Reyansh rolled his eyes.
“I just hope you didn’t kill anyone on the way.”
“Of course not. I know exactly what that would cost me.” Her tone was playful, but there was a flicker of seriousness in her eyes.
He smirked. Sometimes, even in her nonsense, she made a disturbingly valid point.
“Thank you,” she added after a beat.
“For what?”
“For what you did at the store. Backing me up in front of Kyle. Making her believe we’re together… happy .”
He said nothing. His fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel. She tapped his arm, nudging him to respond.
“Say something. At least say you’re welcome.”
“I won’t,” he muttered, glancing sideways at her. “Because you’re not welcome to make me do that again. I don’t like committing to things that aren’t real.”
Without warning, Aanya pinched his arm hard. He jerked.
“What the hell was that for?” he snapped.
“For being a flaming hypocrite,” she shot back. “You’re happy to fake it all for your sister, but when it comes to me? Suddenly you’ve grown a conscience? You’re a two-faced animal.”
Reyansh slammed the brakes and swerved the car to the side of the road, parking it harshly.
“Oh, I’m the animal?” he growled. “You’re the one who sleeps like one. Kicking, sprawling, claiming three-fourths of the bed like it’s a war zone.”
Her mouth fell open in dramatic disbelief.
“How would I even know how I sleep? It’s not like anyone’s ever complained!”
“Unbelievable,” he scoffed.
“Oh please,” she rolled her eyes. “Who sticks to sleep etiquette anyway? If you’re so disturbed by my sleeping style, feel free to relocate to the recliner. Be my guest.”
His brow shot up. “Why should I take the recliner? That is my room. My bed. My contract.”
“And you’re the all-powerful boss, right?” she shot back, folding her arms like a challenge.
Before he could fire back, his phone buzzed. He exhaled sharply and answered.
“Yes, Di. We’re on the way.”
He ended the call, shifted gears, and drove off, heading straight for Chopra Mansion, tension still crackling in the car.
Chopra Mansion
As soon as they entered the house, Radhika intercepted them at the foyer.
“Reyansh! Aanya! How was the shopping trip?”
“Perfect, Di. He was surprisingly patient while I picked everything,” Aanya replied with a sweet smile.
Radhika beamed. “That’s great. Now, I have a surprise for you both.”
“Surprise?” they both echoed.
“Yes! You’ll love it. Come with me.”
She led them upstairs toward their room. Reyansh looked visibly confused. “Di, you should’ve rested. Why go through all this trouble?”
“Just this one surprise,” she said with excitement. “It’s something every couple deserves.”
As they reached the door, Radhika gestured to Aanya. “Open it.”
Aanya pushed the door open and froze.
The room was transformed. Candles flickered on every corner, casting a golden glow across the walls. Rose petals cascaded over the bed in lavish abundance.
“What… is all this?” Aanya asked, breath catching in her throat.
Radhika stepped forward, gently taking both their hands and placing them together.
“We all remember how your wedding night went,” she said softly. “How it fell apart before it even began.”
Aanya blinked, stunned.
“So here it is,” Radhika continued. “Tonight is your second chance. A chance to make things right… the way they should have been from the start. Consider this your real wedding night. Your suhagraat .”
Aanya hiccupped. That word hadn’t been part of their contract. But did it even matter anymore? They were already sharing a bed. Behind closed doors, no one would know what was or wasn’t real.
Reyansh’s face was unreadable as Radhika continued sharing her feelings to Aanya.
“When a husband and wife truly start giving time to each other, that’s when their real story begins,” Radhika said gently. “I know Rey won’t take the initiative. He’ll either be lost in work or too worried about me. That’s why I decided to bring this special moment to you .”