“I am not taking away your work. I know how important it is to you. I am saying this because the doctor said you need to rest. Not because I am letting my possessiveness do the thinking.” And that’s not a lie. Yes, I don’t want her meeting that asshole friend of hers, but I won’t stoop so low as to cage her for it. I have my own ways of making sure that friendship doesn’t interfere with my marriage.
Her nostrils flare. “I am fine.”
“You’re not fine,” I say, as I look at her wrist again. “Your wrist isn’t. And I will do whatever it takes to make sure you rest tomorrow. I am not letting you push yourself and make it worse.” I take a step closer, my jaw set. “If I have to keep an eye on you the whole damn day, I will. But you’re staying home.”
“You know how stubborn I can be,” she snaps.
“And you know how stubbornIcan be.”
“Dev, I am going to work. You won’t be able to stop me,” she tries again.
“We’ll see,” I counter.
“Oh, we’ll see,” she mimics, rolling her eyes. “Now I am calling it a night. I am done listening to your crap.”
With a frustrated huff, she turns on her heel and walks back into the house. I follow after her, my gaze locked on the fire in her stride, each step only stoking the desire burning through me.
Inside the room, she drops onto the couch in irritation, not sparing me a single glance as she presses her wrist. I shake my head, walk to the side table, pick up the painkiller and a glass of water, then step towards her, holding both out to her.
“You can be angry with me and can hate me all you want,” I say quietly, and her eyes finally meet mine. “But don’t take my anger out on yourself. That… actually hurts me.” Her breath hitches, and I add. “Take it.”
She takes the medicine without a word, tosses it into her mouth, and swallows it with a sip of water. Then she hands the glass back to me and sinks back against the couch, pulling the blanket over herself and shutting her eyes, clearly letting me know she’s done dealing with me.
I can’t help but grin. I walk over to the bed, pull the sheets aside, and lie down. I close my eyes, letting sleep tug at me, but even as I drift off, one thought beats steadily in my mind.
Her stubbornness burns like fire, but mine is steel. And steel always outlasts flame. Tomorrow, I’ll make sure she has no reason to step outside.
???
“Dev, we have good news,” Dad says just as our housekeeper sets a fresh pot of coffee on the dining table. “Khurana got approval for the site, and the purchase has been finalised.”
I take a bite of my omelette. “He had no choice but to move things our way and secure the approval.”
Veer whistles from across the table. “That’s huge, bro! We need to celebrate with a proper party. Tonight.”
Dad nods. “Yes. We must celebrate. It’s been ages since we’ve had anything good to toast to…” His eyes lift to me pointedly, “…especially since you got married.”
“I’ll arrange a party here at home,” I say, ignoring his taunt.
Dad immediately shakes his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Obviously not,” Veer agrees.
“Your wife is sure to ruin the mood, and I’d rather not have another scene in front of the guests,” Dad adds.
My jaw locks, but before I can defend Meera, she walks in, dressed in a salwar suit with her laptop bag in hand. She pulls out the chair next to me and sits. Using her left hand, the one without a bandage, she reaches for the kettle, but I beat her to it and pour her tea. She gives me a thankful nod and takes a sip.
“You going somewhere?” I ask.
She sets her cup down. “Yup, work.”
“No, you’re not. Going to work is banned. Remember?” I butter the toast and place it on her plate along with the egg.
Her eyes narrow. “And I told you I am going. I am not sitting at home getting bored.”
“You don’t have to be bored. We have a party tonight. You can attend that,” I say.
Veer pipes up loudly, “Why are you asking her to join the party, bro? You know she’ll ruin all the fun.”
