CHAPTER 22
Chopra Mansion
“No, Aanya,” she whispered to herself, staring into the mirror. “This is your only chance to reclaim your life. You can’t miss this golden opportunity now.”
After telling Radhika about her potential transfer to California, Aanya had begun to view everything from a different angle.
How would Reyansh react to this news? Would he support her, or would he try to sabotage it with the power he had and cancel her onsite offer using his contacts in Icon Interiors?
If he truly cared, if his feelings for her were even half as deep as he claimed, then he would let her take this leap.
He wouldn’t be that selfish. But love and war rarely played by the rules.
What if Reyansh used that very love to tether her down, keeping her close at the cost of her dreams?
“Whatever happens, I won’t step back now. I’ve made my decision and this is it.”
She stared hard at her reflection, drawing courage from her own determination.
“Don’t be afraid, Aanya. This is your life. And no Reyansh Chopra can take that from you.”
Wanting to rehearse the impending conversation, she took a deep breath, and began role-playing both sides of the argument.
She turned to one side, straightening her posture and deepening her voice.
“What the hell? California? No way. Tell your boss to find someone else. I’m not letting you work away from me,” she barked, mimicking Reyansh’s commanding tone.
Then she spun to the opposite side, softening her voice into her own.
“Reyansh, I’m not asking. I’m telling you. This is my dream job. I’m going.”
Back to the Reyansh role, she stiffened her jaw and grabbed her own forearms dramatically.
“Watch your tone, Aanya. Don’t you ever talk to me like that!” she shouted, echoing his usual go-to line in an argument.
Then she flinched back with a pretend gasp.
“Great,” she snapped sarcastically. “Let’s just stop talking altogether once I’m gone. That way, you won’t lose your temper, and I’ll be free to work in peace.”
She let out a short laugh. For once, the imaginary argument felt oddly therapeutic… until a chill ran down her spine. A quiet gust of air brushed her skin, and that’s when she turned.
There he was.
Leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed.
Reyansh
He had seen everything.
She froze mid-move, heat rising to her cheeks. “I—I was just…” she fumbled. “Rehearsing. For... something.”
She started walking toward the door, hoping he’d step aside.
He didn’t.
He just looked at her. “Is that what I sound like to you?”
Her jaw dropped. This was going downhill fast. Should she backtrack or double down?
Either way, she was caught red-handed.
Just minutes ago, she had been brimming with confidence, rehearsing her lines with conviction. And now, with him standing right in front of her, she was scrambling for words like a lost schoolgirl.
“Forget what you just saw…” she shrugged before meeting his eyes. “So, you heard about my onsite offer, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I saw you switching roles and practicing how to break this news to me,” he replied calmly.
She swallowed hard. “And? What do you think?”
He didn’t answer her question. Instead, he posed his own. “If you were in my place…if the person you had feelings for was about to walk away from you for a year,would you let them, go?”
She blinked. “I wouldn’t know. Because I can’t relate to that feeling. Don’t trap me in these hypotheticals, Reyansh. Just say it. Do you want me to go or not?”
Reyansh’s gaze held hers. “Does my decision even matter?” he asked. “Would you give me the power to stop you?”
Her heart clenched. His eyes were brimming with hope, but she couldn’t give him what he wanted.
“No,” she said, firm and fast.
He smiled faintly. So she hadn’t changed her mind. Who said Aanya Malhotra was fickle? To him, she was stronger than all the women he had met so far.
Reyansh stepped forward and held her hand, not in anger, not to dominate, but simply to connect. No pulling. No pushing. Just to feel her presence.
“If you ask me again, Aanya, I may never let you go,” he whispered. “But I won’t stop you. Because that’s what a good husband should do. I don’t want to hold you back. I want to watch you fly. And maybe one day… if you ever let me… I’ll stand beside you while you soar.”
Her breath caught. His words were too much. Too tender and full of love.
“Go. Chase your dreams. Earn your success. Rebuild your confidence. Live the life you’ve imagined.
But remember this… when the noise fades, and you’re left in the quiet of your victories, when you sit alone in silence, there will be a moment you’ll wish someone was there to share it all with.
Someone to cheer you on, to steady your path, to celebrate your wins like they’re his own.
I’ll wait for that moment, Aanya... when you finally understand the worth of love, of companionship, of what we could be.
And when that day comes, I hope it’s my name that fills your heart. ”
Her heart pounded, so loud she could hear it echoing in her ears. Voice caught in her throat, her eyes refused to look away from his. Why? What was this feeling spiralling inside her? Was this part of his plan? To rattle her, confuse her, and make her stay?
But before the thought could take full shape, he gently released her hand and turned away, disappearing into the bathroom. Only then did she exhale, feeling the tension uncoil from her chest.
Was that his way of saying yes? Had he truly given her his approval to leave for California? He’d wished her luck, hadn’t he?
A smile curved on her lips… but it faltered just as quickly. Why did he say she would sit alone one day and think of him? That she’d crave his presence? That she would want this marriage to work?
Would that really happen?
She shut her eyes. No. This wasn’t the time to overthink. This was the time to act, to accept the opportunity she had worked so hard for, to pack her bags, to move forward.
She needed to leave. Not just this house…
but the shadows of her past. Her father, who never truly cared.
And her husband… who, despite standing right in front of her, had left her more confused than ever.
Because no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t tell where they stood now or where they’d be a year from today.
******************
At dinner, Reyansh finally shared his decision. To support Aanya’s move to California. Radhika stared at him, stunned. She had assumed he would oppose the idea, especially now that it seemed he was beginning to take their marriage seriously.
“Reyansh, I understand you want to support Aanya’s career,” Radhika began, “but what about your relationship?”
“What about it, Di?” he replied coolly. “Everything stays as is.”
Aanya shifted uncomfortably beside him. As is? What did that even mean?
“Long-distance relationships work,” Reyansh continued.
Aanya swallowed her food and forced herself to chew the next bite. Maybe he was only saying this to put Radhika at ease.
“Why don’t you shift to California too?” Rishi suggested.
Reyansh sighed. “I wish I could. But I’ve got an empire to run here. The new joint venture between Chopras and Malhotras will also require my presence in South Africa. And most importantly—” He looked straight at Aanya. “I don’t want to crowd her or interfere with her work.”
Aanya met his gaze briefly. He’d been taking her side too often lately. Was this just another step in his attempt to play the ‘perfect husband’?
“Hmm,” Radhika smiled faintly. “Then Aanya, you’ll stay with us in California.”
“No, Di,” Aanya said, gently refusing. “Shikha’s also going. Our company is arranging our accommodation. I’ve asked them to find a place close to yours so I can visit often.”
“What? We’ll be living in the same city and not staying together? That’s unfair!” Radhika protested.
“Di, please understand,” Aanya insisted. “This move is about finding independence. If I live with you and Jeeju, I’ll always feel like I’m home. I need this space to grow on my own terms. But I promise I’ll spend every weekend with you.”
Rishi nodded in understanding. Radhika, though disappointed, recognized Aanya’s intent. Perhaps some distance would help Aanya grow stronger. Nani, meanwhile, remained silent but internally pleased. Without doing much, she would soon have Aanya out of Reyansh’s life… for good.
Later That Night
Aanya shared the news with Navya, who was taken aback at first but soon thrilled to hear how beautifully Aanya’s career was shaping up. They promised to see each other soon whenever either of them found time to travel and meet.
When Aanya returned to the bedroom, Reyansh was seated at the desk, focused on his laptop.
She had no words for what she felt. Relief, perhaps.
Gratitude. He had supported her, encouraged her even, to take this step and claim her independence.
And just maybe, she would miss this charade of husband and wife once she was gone.
For a little while. And then, she’d forget. Move on.
She expected the same from him too. Whatever he felt for her today would fade eventually, and in a way, she hoped it would. Because that would make it easier to live with the guilt of walking away after stirring someone’s heart.
The thought reminded her of one last thing she needed to do before leaving… talk to her father. He needed to hear it from her directly. She just hoped he wouldn’t make it harder than it already was, because no matter what he said, it wouldn’t change her decision now.
Malhotra Residence
The next morning, Aanya arrived early at her father’s house, determined to speak to him directly.
“Aanya? What a pleasant surprise!” Anand greeted her, folding his newspaper and pulling her in for a hug. “Breakfast?”
“No thanks, Dad. I’ve already eaten,” she replied, sitting down.
Kyle appeared from the kitchen, unaware of Aanya’s visit.