CHAPTER 18
Icon Interiors – Next Day
The following morning, Aanya approached Prem to discuss her leave, hoping for some leeway.
As expected, he firmly declined her request for three days off.
She didn’t know whether to be relieved that she might avoid traveling with Reyansh, or anxious that he wouldn’t take the refusal well and might try to interfere by speaking to Prem himself.
That was the last thing she wanted. So, she persisted convincing him for at least two days. Eventually, Prem gave in.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Aanya made a mental note to update Radhika and Reyansh later that evening. Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from the man himself.
‘Did you talk to Prem?’
His eagerness to take her to South Africa made her stomach knot in confusion.
‘Yes. But only 2 days.’ she replied.
The next message arrived almost immediately.
‘What the!! Didn’t you stress on 3 days?’
Aanya groaned aloud. Only she knew how hard she’d tried today.
‘You should be grateful I managed even that, considering I’m not thrilled about traveling with you.’
She hit send and returned to her laptop, but her phone buzzed again with yet another message.
‘What the!!’
Muttering under her breath, she fired back.
‘I’m so done with your ‘What The’s’. Try going beyond half-sentences and dramatic pauses like ‘What the’ for once, Reyansh Chopra.’
This time, his reply took a minute to hit her phone, and when it did, it sent a shiver down her spine.
‘ If I decide to move forward, and complete my half-sentences... it might get difficult for you. ’
The words echoed inside her, teasing, taunting. What did he mean by that? She almost typed out a response but stopped herself. No point dragging a conversation she hadn’t even meant to start. She shoved her phone aside, though her gaze flickered to the screen again and again.
Buzz. Another message.
‘Sunny is arranging the visas. Do you have any specific itinerary in mind? Anything you’d like to see or do there?’
That was it. She was done with these cryptic texts of his. Picking up her phone, she dialled his number and waited. As soon as the call connected, she didn’t hold back.
“You do realize this is your business trip, right? And as far as I know, I’m just the showpiece you plan to parade around. So don’t make this personal.”
There was a long pause before a woman’s voice responded smoothly.
“Hello, Aanya.”
Her pulse skidded.
It was Shagufta.
Aanya stiffened, caught off guard and instantly annoyed.
“Where is my husband?” she snapped.
“He’s just shaking hands with a client. His phone rang, and I answered for him,” came the syrupy reply.
Aanya ground her teeth. Damn it! She should’ve checked before spewing all that. Now Shagufta had ammunition and the one thing that woman would never waste was an opportunity to meddle.
She ended the call with a hiss and clutched her forehead in fury. If Reyansh found out what she’d just said and who had overheard it he was going to explode.
Back at Chopra Group Office, Reyansh’s gaze hardened the moment Shagufta disconnected the call on his mobile.
“Did you just answer my phone?” he asked snatching the device from her grip.
She hadn’t expected that kind of reaction, not from him.
“Yes, I did,” she said, recovering quickly. “You were busy with the clients, and—”
“No, Shagufta,” he cut her off sharply. “That’s not acceptable. We may be old friends, but I don’t give anyone the right to touch my things. And answering my personal calls? You crossed a line.”
Shagufta flushed with embarrassment at the rare reprimand.
“I’m sorry. I thought I was close enough to you,” she murmured, stepping in and brushing her fingers against his arm. “Reyansh… you know I like you. Hopelessly.”
He immediately shrugged off her touch. He’d always overlooked her subtle advances, but this had gone far enough.
“We are just friends,” he replied. “You’ve known me for years. Have I ever, even once, given you the impression that I saw you as anything more?”
“You never stopped me either,” she snapped.
“That was my mistake,” he growled. “I should’ve made myself clear long ago. Stop dreaming of anything beyond that.”
He turned toward the door, but her voice stopped him mid-step.
“This is because of your wife, isn’t it?”
Reyansh stilled and slowly turned to face her. Her gaze didn’t waver.
“Don’t tell me you’ve suddenly developed feelings for Aanya,” she mocked.
“She’s not your type, Reyansh. She’s a pampered brat with no direction.
You really think she’s worthy of you? Come on.
And from what she said on the call, it didn’t seem like she’s too fond of you either.
You’re wasting time. Unless… this is all about her mother’s will, isn’t it? ”
“Enough,” Reyansh roared, fury erupting in his voice. “Not one more word.”
Shagufta flinched, stunned by the fury etched across his face.
“I don’t owe you any explanations,” he snapped, his eyes like fire. “Stay out of my marriage, and stay the hell away from my wife.”
He didn’t wait for her response. Turning on his heel, Reyansh stormed out. But a single thought nagged at him. How the hell did Shagufta know about Aanya’s mother’s will?
Shagufta stared angrily as Reyansh left her alone.
She had known Reyansh since their college days.
And in all those years, she had never seen him take any woman seriously, let alone get emotionally entangled.
He was the kind of man who had girls falling at his feet, desperate for even a flicker of attention, but he’d remained untouched.
His focus was always on academics, sports, and success.
His ambition had always burned brighter than desire.
He had one goal - to conquer everything that challenged him, to possess anything that caught his eye. That relentless hunger for victory had drawn her to him in the first place. His magnetism hadn’t faded; if anything, it had intensified with time.
Years ago, she had let her interest in him show, unable to help herself. But when he hadn’t reciprocated, she chose to wait for the right moment, for his attention to finally shift her way.
Then, out of nowhere, like a cruel twist of fate, Reyansh had announced his marriage… to Aanya.
Shagufta had been blindsided, shaken to her core.
It wasn’t just heartbreak. It was betrayal.
Everything crumbled around her until she stumbled upon Aanya’s mother’s will.
That discovery had restored her sense of control.
If Reyansh had married Aanya only to fulfil a clause and seize an inheritance, then there was still hope.
He wasn’t in love. The marriage wasn’t real, not in the way that mattered.
It was just another strategic move in his relentless game of power.
And as long as it remained that way, Shagufta believed she still had a chance to take her rightful place beside him. Someday!
Chopra Mansion – Later that evening
When Reyansh returned home, Radhika informed him Aanya still hadn’t come from work.
“She’s not home yet? Her working hours should be over,” he frowned, concern slipping through.
“She’s staying late to wrap up everything before your South Africa trip. That’s reasonable, right?” Radhika replied gently.
His displeasure was obvious, and Radhika caught it instantly.
“Rey,” she said patiently, “you think like a boss. You want control over everything. But Aanya’s not an asset. She’s your wife. Start respecting her commitments.”
He exhaled through his nose, rolling his eyes. “When did I ever say otherwise? Is it such a crime to want to take my wife away for a few days?”
“It’s not. But don’t pressure her. She’s already doing more than anyone expected.”
That, he had to admit, was true. Who would have thought that the pampered Malhotra heiress would one day work her fingers to the bone for independence? And oddly enough, he admired her for it.
Just then, Nani returned from the temple, overhearing the tail end of their conversation.
“Radhika,” she said, handing over a small box. “Keep this prasad in the temple.”
Radhika nodded and left. Reyansh was about to retreat to his room when Nani halted him.
“Reyansh, what is going on with you?” she asked curtly.
He stared at her, puzzled. “What now?”
“I heard you’re taking Aanya to South Africa,” she said sharply. “Why? I thought bringing her into this house was a temporary arrangement for Radhika. But now you’re making things more complicated. Are you still thinking about that divorce we discussed?”
Before he could respond, the front door clicked open. Aanya entered and froze. She’d clearly overheard enough. Her eyes met his, shocked, disappointed. Divorce?
Nani sighed in frustration and walked away. Reyansh was about to say something, but Radhika appeared just then.
“Aanya! Good, you’re home. Reyansh was just asking for you.”
Aanya forced a smile for Radhika, skilfully diverting her attention away from Reyansh.
But inside, she was reeling. The shock still hadn’t settled.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t expected Reyansh to consider divorce eventually.
Part of her always knew that day might come.
But if he truly intended to end their marriage, then why waste time planning trips and playing the perfect husband?
This wasn’t just for Di’s sake. No, it felt like something more.
She exchanged a few words with Radhika before heading toward their bedroom. Reyansh followed.
His travel bag lay open on the bed, half packed. She ignored it and went straight to the bathroom. When she came out, he was folding his shirts and organizing his things like the efficient man he was.
“How was your day?” he asked.
He had the audacity to ask about her day after nearly ruining it with his relentless nudging for leave updates? She wiped her face with a towel and responded coolly, “Good. Met some new clients.”