CHAPTER 23
Chopra Group Office
Sunny continued briefing Reyansh on project progress, but his words fell on deaf ears. Reyansh sat at his desk, physically present but mentally adrift. In just two days, Aanya would be gone, and this time, he felt utterly powerless to stop her.
She had walked out of his life once before, and back then, the departure had barely scratched the surface.
He had dismissed their marriage as a mistake, convinced that it was just a poorly calculated move.
But this time… this time it cut deeper. Because now, he knew he had been wrong.
He had misjudged her, misunderstood her actions, and perhaps worst of all, even prioritized a legal clause in her mother’s will over the woman herself.
The attraction had always been there. One stolen kiss years ago had ignited something pure and uncontrollable inside him.
He had wanted her since then, not for her lineage or wealth, but for that spark.
The pull he felt for Aanya Malhotra was unlike anything he had known before.
She was the only woman who had ever made him feel this way. How could he lose her now?
But the truth was hard. He had no experience in love, no insight into marriage.
Emotions like love, the kind that builds a life and dreams of growing old together with someone, was an uncharted territory.
His entire life had been built on methodical decisions.
Marrying Aanya had been one such decision; one he hadn’t fully confronted until now.
Instead of pushing her away all these months, he should have followed his heart. If only he’d fought for them back then, if only he’d saved their marriage when it first started to shatter, they wouldn’t be standing at the edge of a quiet goodbye now.
She wasn’t wrong to blame him. She hadn’t even remembered their first kiss.
She’d had no clue he was the man from that night.
It was his responsibility to tell her, before he went to her father with a proposal.
And even after that, he should have reached out, listened to her, understood why she said yes to an arranged marriage.
But he hadn’t. He’d done none of that.
Why?
Was he that desperate to fulfil a clause in a will? And if Aanya’s mother’s will had meant so much, why had he never claimed it? Why hadn’t he encashed its power?
“Sir?” Sunny’s voice pierced through his thoughts. “Are you okay?”
Reyansh blinked, pulling himself back to reality.
“Sunny, we’ll discuss this later. I’m heading home.”
Saying that he grabbed his phone and left the cabin.
The Next Day
Aanya finally received her visa and travel tickets.
She was scheduled to fly two days after Radhika and Rishi, who were leaving for California that very night.
She could have accompanied them, but she chose not to.
Her colleague Shikha would be traveling with her, and she didn’t want to leave her alone.
Plus, she needed time to finish packing and pick up a few essentials.
Today, she finished work early and decided to do some shopping, specifically, farewell gifts for Radhika and Rishi. Reyansh wasn’t likely to plan anything sentimental. She’d do it, and maybe they could present the gifts together.
She stepped into a gift shop and instantly felt her stomach drop.
Shagufta Khanna was already there.
“Aanya,” Shagufta greeted with a faux smile, walking toward her. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“Hi, Shagufta.”
“I heard you’re flying to California.”
How did she know that? Who was feeding her information? Aanya silently fumed. Shagufta probably had her spies, especially where Reyansh was involved.
“Yes,” she answered shortly.
“That’s wonderful,” Shagufta replied with false enthusiasm. “Every woman should stand on her own feet.”
Of course she would say that. Aanya saw through it. Shagufta probably couldn’t wait for her to leave so she could circle back into Reyansh’s life. But Aanya trusted Reyansh, at least enough to believe he wouldn’t fall for this woman’s charm.
“Thanks. If you’ll excuse me, I need to pick a gift.”
“I can help,” Shagufta offered sweetly. “I know exactly what Reyansh likes.”
Aanya clenched her jaw, flashing a sarcastic smile. “The gift is for his sister. And I know her preferences. Thanks, but I’ll manage.”
Ignoring the irritation burning in her chest, Aanya turned away and began scanning the shelves.
“Your mood looks off. Did you and Reyansh had a fight?” Shagufta commented behind her. “Is he upset about your California move?”
Aanya didn’t respond.
“Or is it about your mother’s will?”
Now she froze.
Her head snapped back to face Shagufta, confusion clouding her eyes. “ My mother’s will? What are you talking about?”
Shagufta smiled inwardly, but on the surface, she wore regret.
“Oh... I didn’t mean to bring that up. I assumed Reyansh told you. It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.”
Aanya grabbed her arm. “What do you know about my mother’s will? And what does Reyansh have to do with it?”
Shagufta hesitated dramatically. “Aanya, I really don’t want to come between you two.”
“Cut the act and speak,” Aanya snapped.
Shagufta sighed, then nodded. “If you insist.”
Aanya let go of her arm.
“Reyansh married you because of your mother’s will,” she said, dropping the bomb with ease.
“You know how business-minded he is. He doesn’t do anything unless there’s profit involved.
I don’t know the entire contents, but there’s a clause in it.
Something that benefits the man who marries you.
That’s what I know. The rest... you’ll have to discover on your own. ”
Aanya felt as if the floor beneath her shifted.
Could it be true?
Reyansh had said he was drawn to her. That he had been smitten from the first time. But was that a lie? Was everything, every word, every look, just part of his plan?
“Find the will, Aanya,” Shagufta added coolly. “Everything will make sense.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Aanya staring blankly at the gifts in front of her, none of which mattered now.
If even a fraction of what Shagufta had said was true… then Reyansh Chopra had broken her in a way no one else ever could.
Chopra Mansion
Aanya returned home and immediately began helping Radhika with her final packing. The car was due to arrive any moment to take them to the airport. Despite the rush, her thoughts remained consumed by the revelation of her mother’s will.
“Aanya… where are you lost?” Radhika’s voice cut through her thoughts.
“Nothing, Di,” Aanya replied, forcing a weak smile.
Radhika sat beside her, gently taking her hand in hers.
“Can I ask you something?” she said softly.
Aanya gave a silent nod.
“I know this onsite job means everything to you right now. And it’s just a matter of a year…”
Aanya listened closely, unsure where this was heading.
“As Reyansh said, many people manage long-distance relationships these days. But… I feel it’s too soon for you both to be apart again. You were separated for eighteen months after the wedding, and how much time have you actually spent together? A little over a month, perhaps.”
Aanya squeezed Radhika’s arm gently to steady her. She could see the growing emotion in her sister-in-law’s eyes.
“Di… what are you trying to say?” Aanya asked quietly.
Radhika looked directly into her eyes. “Will you leave my Reyansh again?”
Aanya had no answer. Every moment they had shared since reuniting had been a performance, until Reyansh had confessed his long-buried attraction for her.
That first kiss… it had meant something to him.
She wasn’t sure she felt the same, but she hadn’t denied the feelings entirely either.
And now, after what Shagufta had told her, after what she suspected, she wasn’t sure where they stood.
If any of it was true, if her marriage had been orchestrated for the will, she would walk away. And that would be the end of them.
Just then, Reyansh stepped into the room.
“Di, the car is ready. We need to leave.”
Radhika nodded. Aanya caught his eye briefly as she stood from the bed with Radhika. Her gaze shifted to the red saree laid out on the mattress.
“Di, you forgot to pack this,” she said.
Radhika smiled warmly. “That’s for you. I bought it recently as a goodbye gift.”
Aanya accepted it with a soft smile. They hugged, and she whispered, “Have a safe trip, Di.”
“You too. And don’t forget Rishi will pick you up from the airport.”
“Thank you.”
Radhika caressed her cheek, and together they descended the stairs.
Nani was already waiting for them downstairs. She wiped tears from her eyes.
“Nani,” Radhika said, attempting to cheer her up, “You’ll come see me when the baby is born, right? I’ll need you there.”
“I will… I promise,” Nani said, sniffing.
Reyansh opened the car door for Radhika to get in.
He was personally escorting them to the airport, where his private jet awaited.
Aanya waved at them until the car disappeared through the mansion gates, then quietly returned to her room.
With Reyansh away, this was her only chance to find the will.
Two Hours Later
Reyansh returned home, emotionally drained. He hadn’t expected to bid farewell to Radhika and Rishi so soon. He had hoped they’d stay another month. And now, in two days, Aanya would be gone too.
How was he supposed to survive?
He entered their room, expecting to find Aanya asleep. But the bed was empty. His gaze shifted to the dressing table and there she was, wearing the red saree Radhika had gifted her just hours ago. She didn’t wear the Mangalsutra, nor the sindoor, yet in that moment, she looked every bit his wife.
The emotions he had first felt the night they kissed surged back, tightening in his chest. The moment she turned around, he moved toward her, driven by instinct and brushed his palm against her soft cheek.
She looked ethereal.
Why had she worn the saree? Was it a sign? Some silent message that she was ready to give their marriage a chance?