CHAPTER 29 #2
Before letting him go, Siya affectionately strokes the white blaze running down Rogan’s forehead.
“Good boy,” she murmurs softly as she scratches him behind the ear. “Don’t let anyone bully you.”
Rogan gives a low snort as though he understands every word, before allowing the stable boy to lead him away. The sight does nothing to improve my mood. If anything, it makes me wonder how long she’d been riding him before Haider came to find me.
Finally, Siya turns and notices me standing beside the fence. She knows exactly why I’m here. And judging by the calm challenge in her eyes, she couldn’t care less. Without slowing down, she begins walking straight towards me.
Our eyes meet.
I expect an explanation, an apology. But she looks straight through me, as though I don’t exist and walks past me without slowing down or acknowledging my presence.
The audacity.
Just as she’s about to pass me by, I reach out and grab her upper arm to stop her. Siya freezes for a second, then turns her head and looks at me over her shoulder.
“Didn’t I warn you that Rogan and Zephyr are my personal horses? That no one else rides them?” I ask coldly.
Without warning, she jerks her arm free from my grip.
“You should’ve thought about that before marrying me,” she replies. “I’m Siya Raghav Kundra now.” She takes a step closer. “So obviously, I have every right to Rogan... just as I have a right to you.”
I go completely still.
Did she just claim me?
Not the horse. Me?
A smile almost escapes me, but I manage to bite it back. Only then does she notice my expression. She stares at me, and I watch the exact moment the realisation dawns on her. Her brows knit together as though replaying her own words. Annoyed with herself, she clears her throat almost immediately.
She folds her arms almost defensively. “I meant as much as you have a right to Rogan, I have a right to him too.”
She emphasises the correction as if trying to erase what she’d just said. Unfortunately for her, she can’t. I already heard the first version loud and clear.
I don’t say anything or tease her. I simply keep looking at her, and somehow, that seems to irritate her even more. She gives me one last stubborn glare, then turns around and walks away without another word. I remain where I am, watching her disappear from the stable as I slowly shake my head.
Unbelievable.
She came here determined to make me regret marrying her, and ended up accidentally claiming me as her husband. If this is how she plans to take her revenge, I have a feeling the coming days are going to be far more entertaining than I’d anticipated.
I know this stunt wasn’t random. She didn’t walk into the stable by accident. She deliberately chose Rogan. Out of every horse at RK Estate, she went straight for the one I had forbidden her to ride.
I smirk. She’s no longer just fighting me. She’s studying me… learning where to strike, which lines to cross, and which of my rules to break if she wants a reaction.
My gaze drifts towards Rogan. The stable boy has already led him back into his enclosure, yet the horse isn’t looking at him. His ears remain turned towards the stable entrance, towards the path Siya has just taken, as though he’s still watching her leave.
My brow furrows as I realise something.
Rogan is no different from me. He doesn’t trust people and rarely lets anyone near him without making them work for it. But today, he carried her without protest and responded to every command she gave. Even now, after she’s gone, he watching her walk away.
I stare at the horse for another long moment before shaking my head. Maybe Rogan isn’t the only stubborn creature on this estate who’s beginning to surrender to her.
SIYA
I return to the villa to find Mom sitting outside in the front yard with a cup of tea in her hands.
But she isn’t alone. Esha is sitting across from her, animatedly discussing something.
And judging by the look of surprise on Mom’s face, I begin to worry that Esha might be sharing more than she should.
Curious, I step outside and walk towards them. As I get closer, I notice Mom’s expression shift from surprise to shock.
What’s going on? My pace quickens. What exactly are they talking about? That’s when I catch Esha’s next words.
“...and honestly, the moment Siya Ma’am placed the lily garland around Raghav Sir’s neck that night, the entire Shivtara Valley was shocked.”
I freeze.
Oh God.
No. Not this.
Mom’s eyebrows shoot upwards while Esha continues enthusiastically.
“We all knew something was brewing between the two ever since Ma’am came to RK Estate,” Esha adds cheerfully, completely unaware of the implications of her words.
Please stop talking. Please.
But she doesn’t. Esha lets out an awkward smile and actually blushes before continuing, “But when Haider and I accidentally interrupted their kiss near the temple later that night, all my assumptions became real.”
My heart drops as Mom’s eyes go wide. By now, I know exactly what she’s thinking. Judging by the way she’s staring ahead, she has already connected the dots. I almost groan.
Before Esha can say another word, I finally reach them.
“Esha.”
Esha immediately brightens. “Siya Ma’am! Good morning.”
Mom doesn’t smile, though. She keeps looking at me, holding onto her anger. Esha’s smile slowly fades as she notices the rising anger on Mom’s face. She looks between us, and realisation dawns on her.
Too late. The damage is done.
“What… what are you doing here?” I ask Esha, deliberately ignoring the look Mom is giving me.