Page 108 of Since You Stole My Heart

Luv took a deep breath, then said, ‘I trusted the wrong person, and it cost me more than I realised it would.’

When he didn’t go on, Kashvi prompted, ‘And?’

‘That’s it,’ he said, shrugging lightly.

A hint of frustration slipped into her tone. ‘You realise that’s incredibly annoying, right? You drop something like thatand then refuse to explain, and I can’t even threaten you with anything because none of us know much about your past.’

Luv flipped his collar upwards in mock pride. ‘That’s because I’ve made sure to keep it that way. I don’t talk about this with anyone, not even my twin. But that’s beside the point. All I’m saying is, think about this again, because anyone who has seen the two of you together would tell you this is a terrible idea.’

‘It’s not in my hands anymore,’ Kashvi mumbled as she turned the wheel, guiding the car into the final lane.

He was about to argue when the final thread of her control snapped, and she cut him off. ‘Luv, you’re not the only one who cares about him. I’m doing this because I—’

Because I love him.

The thought burned through her, setting her nerves on fire.

She curled her fingers tighter around the wheel as she swallowed back the words. ‘I understand what you’re saying, but Swayam will build a new life with this girl, and whatever this was between us… will become a lost chapter in his past.’

As she drove further down the lane, her heart beat loudly enough that she could feel it in her throat.

Then she saw him.

Swayam stood just off the curb, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his jeans.

Beside her, Luv saw him too, then glanced back at her. ‘I think you might be wrong about this, but I hope you know what you’re doing.’

‘I do,’ she murmured, looking over at Swayam.

His pale off-white shirt was crumpled along the sleeves, and his dishevelled hair fell in uneven strands across his forehead.

He looked like he hadn’t slept. He looked like she felt inside.

She brought the car to a stop, and Luv slid down his window. Swayam bent down, bracing one arm along the edge of the door.

And then his gaze found hers.

The world narrowed to only him, and there was too much anger, agony, and ache in his eyes.

Luv remarked, ‘God, you look like you went on a bender. Should I be worried or impressed?’

There were faint shadows beneath his eyes, his stubble darker than before. Swayam said, ‘I haven’t had a drop. It’s just been… a long night.’

Luv let out a soft hum, tilting his head. ‘Why? Couldn’t sleep because you’re excited to meet your future bride today?’

There was a slight tension in his jaw as Swayam said, ‘No, but my wife certainly is.’

It stung, but she absorbed it in silence, because he had every right to feel the way he did.

Luv scoffed, shaking his head. ‘Lucky man.’

‘Yeah, I’m living the dream,’ Swayam said, his voice laced with dry sarcasm.

‘Can we not do this right now? Just get in. We’re already running late,’ she said, turning back to the wheel.

‘Swayam!’ The voice carried across the courtyard. He turned at once, and Kashvi followed his gaze to see Malini coming down the stairs. She held the edge of her dupatta over her head, gesturing animatedly as she spoke to the man walking beside her.

Beside her, the pandit carefully held a brass plate, a small diya flickering on it.