“Dad, this is my personal matter. Please stay out of it,” I cut him off.
He stares at me for a long, pained second—hurt, disbelief, and anger colliding in his eyes. I don’t bother to soothe him. Instead, I add calmly, “Now that we’re done, I need to talk to my…” I glance briefly at Meera, “… future wife.”
“Excuse me?” Meera snaps, trying to pull her arm free.
I tug her back. “Patience, sweetheart. Our wedding isn’t going anywhere.”
“Enough!” Dad bellows. “You will do as your father says! And I’m telling you… YOU WILL NOT MARRY THIS GIRL!”
“Dad, you know me. You know exactly how stubborn I can be once I’ve made up my mind.”
He drags in a few harsh breaths before hissing, “Do what you want. Go to hell if you must. But I will not be a part of this wedding.”
He walks past me, storms to his bedroom, and slams the door shut behind him.
“I know, Dad… your blessing is with me. Always.” I call out at his closed door, then turn to Meera. My hand is still wrapped around her wrist, feeling her pulse race beneath my thumb.
She glares at me and yanks her wrist free. “Are you mad? I’m not marrying you.”
“You don’t get to decide. I’ve already made that call for you.”
“My life isn’t yours to decide!” She drags in a sharp breath. “And what the hell has gotten into you to come up with this absurd thought?”
“Sweetheart, you’re the one who triggered this thought.”
She frowns. “Me?”
“Yes, sweetheart. After all, there should be consequences for your actions.”
“And you fucking thought marriage was my punishment?”
“Yes. Marriage is perfect for what I have in mind for you.” I lean in just enough to make her swallow. “You see, I don’t want your end to be quick.” A slow, dark smile curls my lips. “I want you to die a slow death… every day. And what better way to make you suffer than marriage? You’ll wake up every day knowing you tied yourself to the very man you wanted to destroy.” I raise a brow. “Do you understand now, or should I explain it further?”
“You’re disgusting.”
“That I am.”
Her nostrils flare. “I will not marry you. I—”
“If you don’t, then tomorrow morning I’ll leak the news of Sonia’s abortion.”
She freezes, and I watch the blood drain from her face.
Yes, I hit the nerve dead on.
“And I’ll also announce that Sonia tried to trap my brother to secure the Rathore name. That she was scheming her way in.”
“NO!” Meera snaps. “You can’t do that! That will destroy her!”
“Exactly. Your friend’s name will be destroyed. Her wedding will be called off. No one will let her live with dignity. She’ll be the girl who wanted to trick a rich family,” I add.
Just then, my lawyer walks in, a thin folder clutched in his hands.
“Sir,” he says, bowing slightly. “The papers you requested.”
“Perfect timing.” I take them without breaking eye contact with Meera. Flipping the folder open, I reveal the marriage license and hold it out to her. “So… you ready to sign?”
She glares at me, then at the papers, her throat bobbing as she swallows hard. She’s trapped, and she knows it.
