Page 132 of Since You Stole My Heart

Dhruv only hummed, letting his head rest against the seat as his hands trembled from the adrenaline crash. His ribs ached, and every small movement sent pain shooting up his arm. He could already feel a brutal migraine rolling in. Tomorrow would be worse.

And still, beneath it all, there wasn’t a trace of regret.

Maybe it wouldn’t change anything. Maybe she would still choose to push him away.

But maybe, just maybe, this would earn him a goodbye smile.

‘I can’t wait,’ Dhruv said quietly.

Chapter 25

Adull, insistent throb pulsed through her head, dragging Kashvi out of sleep. With a low groan, she rubbed gently at the ache. She opened her eyes, and a sharp blade of sunlight cut across her vision. She suppressed another groan and covered her eyes with her hand, squeezing them shut.

‘Careful,’ a voice cut through the fog.

Kashvi felt sluggish, her mind struggling to cooperate as she looked at the man towering beside the sofa. ‘Dhruv’s… friend?’

Vihaan let out a huff of amusement. ‘I’d like to think I have a better reputation than that.’

‘Shh!’ Kashvi scolded immediately because his voice felt like it was booming inside her head. ‘Why are you screaming? Talk to me on mute.’

His chuckle slipped into the air as the pounding behind her eyes intensified. ‘Just how much did I drink?’

‘Enough to make me say I’m absolutely impressed,’ he said, helping her sit up.

The world tilted and a wave of nausea rolled over her. She pressed a hand to her stomach, waiting for the sensation to pass. ‘Great. Love that for me.’

‘Take it easy. Here’s some water. Drink it when you can,’ Vihaan said.

Before she could respond, the sunlight shifted again, catching her directly in the eyes. ‘Just kill me now and get it over with.’

Vihaan laughed, pulling the curtains halfway shut. ‘I’m not risking my life. I’ve heard enough stories about how dangerous Siya can be.’

‘Coward,’ Kashvi mumbled, blinking rapidly.

Finally, her vision cleared enough for her to catch a glimpse of her surroundings. It looked like a back room. Tall wooden shelves lined the walls, filled with an uneven mix of books and files, and a large desk had been pushed to one side.

The air carried a faint mix of coffee, wood polish, and alcohol. It made her stomach twist. ‘Where am I?’

‘You’re at our bar,’ Vihaan said.

Kashvi blinked in surprise. ‘Your bar?’

He nodded, taking a sip from his cup. ‘Didn’t Dhruv mention it to you last night?’

‘When did I meet him?’ she asked, more to herself.

Her thoughts moved slowly in fragments. She recalled leaving Swayam back at the mall.

Going home had been impossible, especially not when she was scared that Swayam might never come back to her at all.

It had been too much, so she had headed straight to meet Maithili.

Kashvi leaned forward to peek through the partially open curtains and saw the glass building glinting across the road.

Maithili’s office.

‘How did I get in here?’ she asked, turning around.