“He does,” she fires back. “And I just made him pay for his crime. I didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, even you deserve this. You and he are fucking criminals.”
“Criminals?” I take a slow step towards her. “You want to know what a criminal can do? I’ll show you exactly how a criminal takes revenge. You just made the biggest mistake of your life, sweetheart. Wait and watch how I make you pay for it.”
I pull out my phone and type a message to my lawyer.
“I’m not scared of you.”
“Good.” I slip the phone back into my pocket and meet her gaze. “Then I’m sure whatever I plan, you’ll be able to face it head-on.”
Before she can respond, my dad’s voice slices through the room.
“Dev! What the hell is happening?” he storms into the living room. “Why did the police take Veer? Do you—” He stops mid-sentence the moment his eyes land on Meera.
His expression hardens instantly. “What the hell isshedoing here?”
I open my mouth to answer, but Meera cuts in.
“I’m the reason your son is in jail.”
Dad’s face twists with pure rage. “You will pay for this, girl.”
“Dad, listen to me—” I begin, but he cuts me off sharply.
“No, Dev. I’m done listening. Now I will handle this my way.” He turns and signals to two of our men inside.
“Take her,” he orders.
They take a step towards her, but I am in front of them before they can take another step.
“No one will touch her.” My voice is cold enough to freeze blood. “Don’t even think about it.”
I don’t tell them to leave. My stare alone is enough for them to bow their heads and leave instantly, leaving Dad, Meera, and me alone in the room.
Dad’s furious eyes lock onto mine. “Why did you stop them? Why are you saving her?”
“Because I ammarryingher.”
That’s what I’d texted my lawyer. To bring the marriage license along with Veer’s bail documents. I knew Dad losing his temper was inevitable, and Veer must be fuming too. And I couldn’t bear the thought of what either of them might do to Meera. This was the only solution I could come up with.
I don’t know if it’s revenge I want from her for what she did to my brother, or if I’m trying to protect her. Maybe it’s both, tangled so tightly inside me that even though I know this decision to marry her doesn’t make sense—even to me—I can’t bring myself to take it back. All I know is that this one move lays the trap, keeping Dad, Veer, and Meera exactly where I want them.
He stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “Are you out of your damn mind? Think before you talk nonsense!”
“I’ve thought it through,” I reply, calm and unshakable.
“No.” Meera’s furious voice cuts in. “Who do you think you are to take this kind of decision alone?”
She’s about to lunge forward, but my hand clamps around her wrist, holding her firmly in place.
“Sweetheart, first I’ll deal with my dad, then I’ll deal with you. You know… elders first.”
Her eyes widen, and her breath hitches, while Dad scoffs behind us.
“Dev! Your brother is in jail!” he shouts. “I’m worried out of my mind, and here you are, planning a wedding?”
“Relax, Dad. I’ll get him out. Tonight itself. I will handle everything.”
“Handle?” he roars. “You marrying her is your way—”
