CHAPTER 38
Aanya felt a rush of adrenaline when Sunny texted her Shagufta’s location. She owed the man more than just a thank-you. Now, she had to play this smart and make the meeting look like a coincidence. If Shagufta sensed she was being cornered, and if she had ties with Vicky, she’d vanish.
Her phone buzzed again. It was Reyansh’s call.
“Hi baby,” she answered, already smiling. “I was just thinking about you.”
“Thinking about me or planning a secret meet with Shagufta?” His voice was accusatory.
Her heart dropped. How did he got to know? Did Sunny tell him?
“Reyansh… I…”
“No,” he cut in. “You won’t be messing this up. I don’t understand why you suddenly want to meet her? You are not doing this. Definitely not without me being there.”
Aanya clenched her jaw. She couldn’t tell him the truth. Not until she’d faced the woman who almost cost Radhika her life.
“I asked you something, Aanya,” he pushed.
“Calm down.”
“Calm down?” he barked. “My wife wants to walk into danger, and you want me to relax? I told you she might be linked to Vicky. You want me to ignore that and sit back while you play hero?”
Reyansh’s worry for her was sincere, but she had her reasons too.
“I have guards,” she argued. “Your own men.”
“I don’t care. I don’t trust anyone else with your safety. You’re not going near her without me.”
That did it. Her patience snapped.
“Stop controlling every move I make, Rey! I’m not the girl I used to be—the one who didn’t even know what her life stood for. I know what I’m doing. I’m capable of making my own damn decisions.”
He stood frozen, staring at the phone in disbelief. Did she really not understand? This wasn’t about control. It was about love. Protection. Desperation.
“Save it,” he growled. “We’ll finish this face-to-face. And when we do, I’ll remind you that being capable doesn’t mean you need to carry every burden alone. Especially not when you’re married.”
Aanya closed her eyes. She hadn’t meant to lash out like that.
“We will speak later, Reyansh. I am getting late for work,” she said.
“Don’t hang up on me,” he snapped.
“I’m not! I’ll call you later,” she replied, then ended the call with a frustrated sigh.
Aanya hated the way she’d just spoken to her husband.
This wasn’t who she was. She wasn’t trying to prove her independence or question her ability to handle Shagufta alone.
She only wanted to lighten the burden Reyansh carried.
He had enough on his plate with Vicky. If she could manage one threat, he could focus on the other.
That’s what marriage was about right? Sharing the weight, not piling it on one person’s shoulders.
But for now, she needed to calm his anger. He was undoubtedly upset, and if she didn’t reach out, he’d stay that way all day. She picked up her phone and typed a quick message.
‘Baby… I love you. Please trust my instincts this time.’
She hit send. No reply.
It was impossible to guess what he was thinking, what he might be planning now. But how did he even find out about her plan? Why did Sunny tell Reyansh?
She quickly dialled Sunny’s number, but he didn’t answer either.
Her heart sank.
Something was off.
Evening – Resto Pub
Shagufta had been living in California for over a month, and this particular upscale resto-pub had become her usual place to hang around. The thump of loud music didn’t stop her from arguing into her phone, voice slurred slightly from the alcohol, yet she remained sharply aware.
“I’m wasting my time here, do you understand? I have a business to run. I’m not your damn slave,” she snapped, slamming her empty glass on the counter for a refill.
“I don’t care what your father wants. You promised to handle this, and now you can’t just back out.” She paused to listen, exhaling sharply. “Fine. Do it. I don’t care how, but get it done.”
She barely noticed someone settling into the next stool until a familiar voice ordered a mocktail. Shagufta turned, eyes narrowing as recognition dawned.
“Aanya?” she muttered, disconnecting the call at once.
Aanya gave her a slow, deliberate smile. It only heightened Shagufta’s confusion.
“Hi, Shagufta,” Aanya greeted, lifting the mocktail to her lips. “Nice place, isn’t it?”
Shagufta quickly set her phone aside, silently praying Aanya hadn’t overheard her call.
“What… What are you doing here?” she asked, forcing a casual tone.
“I should be asking you that,” Aanya replied coolly. “What are you doing in California?”
Caught off guard, Shagufta scrambled to regain control. She’d handled Aanya before. But this woman beside her now? She wasn’t the same girl anymore.
“I don’t need your permission to travel, do I?” Shagufta said, masking her nerves with indifference.
“Of course not,” Aanya said calmly. “But you do need my permission before walking into my house and filling my sister-in-law’s ears with your toxic lies.”
Shagufta choked on her drink, some spilling across the counter and her dress.
“Damn you,” she spat.
Aanya grinned, offering a tissue, one Shagufta rudely smacked away. Aanya didn’t offer another. Instead, she leaned back on the high stool with regal ease.
“This is what happens when you try to fling filth into someone else’s life,” she said, voice tinged with mock sympathy.
“Oh… so Radhika told you I visited?” Shagufta asked, trying to sound unfazed.
“She did,” Aanya confirmed. “And it didn’t affect a damn thing. I’m still the daughter-in-law of the Chopra family. Di still loves me like her own. And Reyansh?” Aanya’s eyes sparkled. “I don’t have to tell you how much that man loves me.”
Shagufta gritted her teeth. The pain in her eyes betrayed the jealousy she couldn’t suppress.
“Let me share a secret,” Aanya added, leaning in. “Reyansh and I remarried last week in Cape Town with full rituals, and surrounded by both our families.”
Now that was news Shagufta hadn’t seen coming.
She’d known Aanya had been in Cape Town—those award ceremony pictures had surfaced online fast. For the first time ever, Reyansh and Aanya hadn’t held back with the press.
Every frame they shared told the story of a couple deeply connected, effortlessly happy, and maddeningly in sync.
Each image had stoked the fire of Shagufta’s jealousy until it raged uncontrollably.
And although she had convinced herself it was all for show, she still wondered how did it happen?
How could her plan fail? She had told Aanya the truth about her mother’s will and how it linked directly to her marriage with Reyansh.
She’d seen Aanya crumble that day, shattered and stunned.
And when Aanya left for California, Shagufta had toasted her supposed victory.
She believed she’d finally won. That the thread tying Reyansh and Aanya together had snapped clean.
That they were two broken individuals drifting farther apart.
She waited, hungry for headlines, certain that the news of their separation…or rather their divorce, would break sooner or later. But six months passed. No court notices, no scandal, not even a whisper. Slowly, the horrifying truth settled in that Reyansh and Aanya were still in contact.
That revelation had been the last straw. She had flown to California with one goal: to sever whatever fragile bond remained between them, no matter the cost.
And now? Aanya looked her in the eye and casually declared that they’d not only reconciled—they’d remarried ? In presence of their families? With rituals? How was that possible?
Before she could speak, Aanya leaned back and lifted her phone, unlocking the screen with a few swipes.
“There’s your proof,” Aanya said softly. “Just so you know I’m not making this up.”
She turned her phone toward her, showing a photo from their wedding night aboard a private yacht.
There it was.
Reyansh stood behind Aanya, arms wrapped tightly around her waist, chin resting possessively on her shoulder, his lips almost grazing her cheek. Their smiles weren’t for the cameras this time. They didn’t just look like newlyweds. They looked like two people who had found home in each other.
Shagufta stared, blinking hard.
“I didn’t come here to make you jealous,” Aanya added, her voice cooling.
“I came to warn you. That night, you risked Di and her baby’s life.
And I’ll never forgive you for that. Thank your luck Reyansh doesn’t know yet.
Because once he finds out, you know what he’ll do.
You’ve hurt his sister, the one he is so protective about. He won’t sit quiet.”
Shagufta exhaled sharply. That cool, commanding arrogance wasn’t the Aanya she remembered…
the girl who once needed shelter and backup.
This Aanya was solid, self-assured, and fiercely protective of her own.
It threw Shagufta off-balance, even if she’d never admit it.
But she was still Shagufta Khanna. And no woman…
no matter how transformed, could rattle her for long.
Sliding off the high chair, she straightened.
“You don’t scare me, Aanya,” she hissed. “And all this doesn’t mean you won. This smile you’re flaunting, that so-called married bliss you’re wrapped up in? It’s on borrowed time. Your fairytale has an expiry date, and I’ll be the one to stamp it.”
Aanya’s jaw locked.
“Old habits die hard, right?” Shagufta sneered. “And old fears? They still bite. You’ll know what I mean… soon!”
Aanya didn’t blink.
“Reyansh was right about you,” she said coolly, “You didn’t deserve this conversation with me. Only he can show you your place in our lives. And you know where is that?” she paused to smile. “Nowhere.”
Colour drained from Shagufta’s face, only to return in furious red.
Aanya gave her one final look before turning on her heel.
“I hope we never see each other again,” Aanya said over her shoulder and strode out of the pub, with her head high. Whatever came next, if Shagufta dared to push further, Aanya wouldn’t have to lift another finger. Reyansh would finish it for her.
Night