CHAPTER 28 #2
I stop near the window and gaze outside for a moment.
No, this isn’t me. I’ve never been someone who sits around feeling sorry for herself.
Life has thrown far worse challenges at me than this.
I’ve survived the underworld. I’ve survived Samarjeet.
And I’ve survived betrayal and manipulation.
So I refuse to spend my evening locked inside this room, staring at walls and drowning in my own thoughts.
What I need right now is space. Fresh air. A chance to think without everyone watching me. More than anything, I need to remind myself that I still have control over my own life, even if it’s only over the smallest decisions.
With that thought, I get ready, deliberately choosing a fitted magenta bodycon dress. It’s elegant, bold, and so me. After leaving my hair loose, I apply light makeup, slip into my favourite stilettoes, and head downstairs.
Mom immediately notices when I come downstairs.
“Where are you going?” she asks, looking me over carefully.
“Out.”
“Alone?”
A faint smile appears on my lips. “Mom, I’ve travelled the world alone. If I can handle myself everywhere else, I think I can survive one evening in Shivtara Valley.”
“I know you can,” she says softly. “That’s not what worries me. But—”
“I’ll be fine, Mom.”
She doesn’t look convinced, but thankfully she doesn’t push further. “Just be careful.”
“I will.”
I kiss her cheek before leaving the villa and making my way towards the main lobby.
Somewhere during the walk, a new thought enters my mind.
A reckless one that instantly appeals to my stubborn side.
If Raghav has decided that every major decision in my life now belongs to him, then tonight, I’m taking back at least one thing.
Earlier, I had overheard Raghav speaking to Esha on the phone. She had told him the car he’d sent for servicing the previous day had been returned, and he had simply replied that he would collect the keys from her later.
By the time I step into the lobby, I’ve already made up my mind. Several heads turn in my direction the moment I walk in. A few guests seated near the lounge glance at me before quickly looking away, while some of the staff immediately straighten. Everybody knows who I am now.
Raghav Kundra’s wife.
The title still feels foreign in my mind. Ignoring the curious looks, I walk towards Esha at the reception desk.
She looks up and immediately smiles. “Good evening, Ma’am.”
“I need the car keys.”
Her smile falters slightly. “Which car keys, Ma’am?”
“Raghav’s.”
The confusion on her face is immediate.
“Sir’s vehicle?”
“Yes.”
She hesitates. “Okay, but I should probably check with sir once.”
“No.”
Esha freezes. I take a slow breath before continuing. “I’m not asking for permission. I’m informing you that I need the keys.”
One look at my face and she probably realises that this isn’t the time to argue. She quietly opens the drawer beneath the desk and places the key fob in my hand.
“Thank you.”
Before she can ask anything else, I turn and walk back outside. The black beast of a 4x4 is parked exactly where it always is, near the entrance. Massive. Intimidating. Feels less like a luxury vehicle and more like something a mafia prince would drive straight through a war zone.
I walk towards it, unlock the vehicle, and slide into the driver’s seat. Even here, Raghav’s presence is stamped into every corner of the car. I wonder how he’s going to react when he realises I’ve taken his car. I don’t give a f*ck!
I start the engine, and the powerful roar instantly fills the silence. And for the first time since Ayaan crushed my last hope of leaving this place, I feel something other than helplessness.
Control.
It may be temporary. Even foolish. But for now, it’s enough.
RAGHAV
I’m in my cabin with Haider when the door suddenly opens, and Esha steps inside, looking nervous.
“Sorry to disturb you, sir,” she says carefully. “But Siya Ma’am just took your car keys.”
My hand stills over the file in front of me. Slowly, I lift my head.
Esha visibly swallows. “I said I would check with you first, but she wasn’t in a mood to listen. And honestly,” she hesitates before adding, “she looked like she needed to get out.”
I drag a hand across my jaw.
F*ck. Where the hell is she going? Ever since the family left this evening, she has had this reckless look in her eyes. I should’ve sensed she might do something like this.
I look at Haider. “Call the main gates. Stop her.”
He nods, and within seconds, he makes the call. But I don’t wait for confirmation. I stride towards the glass wall overlooking the estate grounds. From here, I can see the curved driveway leading from the lobby towards the main gates. And right on cue, my car appears.
The massive black machine moves down the road like a beast unleashed. My beast. And behind the steering wheel sits my stubborn wife. My jaw locks. The guards are already moving, and the estate gates slowly slides shut.
Good.
She’ll eventually stop or slow down, then turn back once she realises the consequences of her action. Use your common sense, Siya.
Then I remember who we’re talking about. My wife clearly doesn’t believe in common sense when she’s angry. Instead of slowing down, the SUV accelerates.
My eyes narrow.
“Nooo...”
The engine roars, and the next moment, she drives straight through the partially closed gates. Metal screeches as the gates burst apart. The SUV speeds through the opening and disappears down the valley road. F*ck!
Even Haider’s jaw drops. I close my eyes for a brief second and then laugh, even though it’s not funny.
“Get the vehicles ready,” I order as I move out, with Haider following me.
Five minutes later, we’re already in Haider’s car.
I take the driver’s seat while Haider sits beside me.
Another security vehicle follows closely behind.
Fortunately, all the vehicles in RK Estate are equipped with a GPS tracking system.
Right now, we are able to track the SUV Siya is driving in real time through the dashboard console in Haider’s car.
A small blinking dot crawls across the digital map on the screen, showing us exactly where my troublesome wife is heading.
The entire drive, my grip remains tense on the steering wheel.
I’m furious. Not because she took my car or broke through the gates.
But because Siya knows what happens if somebody gets their hands on her.
The entire underworld knows she’s my wife now.
Before our marriage, she was just a target.
Now she’s leverage. A weakness. A weapon my enemies would gladly use against me.
She knows all of this, and she still drives out alone without the guards. Damn you, Siya!
Thirty minutes later, I finally spot the SUV parked outside one of the most exclusive hotels in Shivtara Valley. The kind of place where tourists come to drink, dance, and forget their problems for a few hours.
A muscle ticks in my jaw.
If she wanted to do any of that, she could have done it inside RK Estate. The resort has its own club and lounge bar. Why did she come here?
I know why. My wife loves to defy me every f*cking time.
Moments later, I pull into the parking area. The staff here recognises me immediately. A few straighten up, and a few nod in greeting. I ignore all of them because my attention is fixed solely on one person.
Siya.
I catch a glimpse of her as she disappears through the entrance of the hotel’s lounge. Without slowing down, I follow her inside. The moment I step in, I see her standing at the bar counter with a glass already in her hand.
Before I can reach her, she tilts her head back and finishes the drink in one smooth swallow. So, my wife decides to leave RK Estate, take my SUV, smash through my security gates, and is now drinking alone in a crowded lounge.
Apparently, testing my patience has become her favourite pastime.
As if she senses my presence before even seeing me, Siya turns around, and our eyes lock.
She doesn’t look surprised, not even a little.
If anything, the calm look in her eyes tells me she expected me to come after her, to stand here, and watch her enjoy her freedom, or at least the illusion of it.
She picks up another drink and takes a slow sip, never once breaking eye contact.
Behind me, Haider automatically begins scanning the room, his gaze moving across exits, guests, staff, and security blind spots.
But I barely notice. My entire focus is fixed on the woman standing across the room, deliberately trying to provoke me.
The music changes. The slow track fades away and is replaced by something louder, more energetic. The kind of music that makes people lose themselves for a while. And apparently, Siya decides to do exactly that.
Without taking her gaze off me, she pushes away from the bar counter and starts walking. Not towards me, but towards the dance floor, as if challenging me. Like she knows exactly how much self-control it’s taking for me not to drag her straight out of this place.
A few weeks ago, I would have done exactly that. Thrown her over my shoulder, ignored every protests, and taken her back home. Problem solved.
But tonight, I choose to watch. Because she isn’t the only one testing limits. I want to know how far she plans to push this, and how far I’m willing to let her go.
As she reaches the centre of the dance floor, the lights swirl around her. The music fills the space, and Siya begins to dance. Every glance she throws in my direction feels intentional. Every second her eyes meet mine again feels like a silent declaration saying, ‘You can’t control me.’
I don’t stop her, though. Instead, I move closer and take a seat near the edge of the dance floor.
If she’s determined to put on a performance, then I’m going to watch every second of it.
People move around her. Couples dance. A little away from her, a group of friends laugh over drinks.
Nobody pays much attention to her. But I do.