Page 196 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘It’s a private event,’ Ira said in a clipped tone. ‘Only for my close-knit people in town.’

‘Or are you trying to hide the fact that your readership is dying out?’ Danish countered smoothly.

Kashvi couldn’t hold back anymore. ‘I’m surprised you have any readership at all.’

Danish’s head snapped towards her with open derision. ‘And who are you?’

Kashvi lifted her chin. ‘I’m a reader, but only Ira’s.’

Danish narrowed his gaze, visibly offended. ‘I don’t need any validation from people like you.’

Swayam cut in curtly. ‘You take the core plot of Ira’s stories and twist them into alpha men who abuse women in the name of love. So I agree, even one reader is too many for you.’

A loud ringing pierced the room from Danish’s coat pocket, and he quickly pulled out his phone. He took a step back as he remarked, ‘Some of you brainwashed readers have such silly, extreme opinions because of her that I feel sorry for you.’

Kashvi refused to back down. ‘Don’t be. We’re proud of who we are.’

Throwing them a scathing look, Danish walked out of the store.

The tension slowly eased from Ira’s shoulders. ‘He is... an unpleasant man, so please ignore him.’

‘He’s a jerk,’ Kashvi corrected.

Swayam nodded. ‘He’s not worth your time. The fact that you’re even doing this preview is a huge deal, so thank you.’

Kashvi’s suspicion deepened as she caught the oddly familiar way he spoke to Ira. ‘Wait, do you two know each other?’

The door chimed open again, and Kashvi heard her sister call out her name.

Siya stepped inside, with Meera right behind her, both of them brushing raindrops from their clothes. Their outfits were damp from the drizzle, and Siya loosened her hair to let it air-dry.

And then, Luv walked in.

His black shirt was darkened in patches from the rain, his hair damp and dishevelled. His shoulders were rigid with tension, and his mouth was set in a firm line.

Kashvi whispered in her sister’s ear. ‘What happened to Luv?’

Siya merely shrugged. ‘He barely spoke all the way here.’

Luv finally looked up.

In an instant, something dark and stormy flickered in his eyes, edged with visible despair. He took a step forward as if driven by instinct, but stopped short, his entire body locking in place.

His fists clenched tightly at his sides, and the veins in his forearms stood out as he drew in a breath, forcing himself to remain steady.

He paused for a long moment and walked towards them. His gaze, devoid of any warmth, was fixed on the only woman he could see. ‘Aadhira,’ he said, greeting her by her full name.

Only then did Kashvi notice that Ira had instinctively taken a step back, watching him with absolute shock.

‘Luv,’ Ira whispered, managing a stunned nod.

Kashvi’s gaze darted between them, her brows furrowed. ‘Do you two know each other?’

A flicker of anguish flashed in Luv’s eyes as he said, ‘Used to.’

Ira stood completely rigid, the colour slowly draining from her face.

The front door opened again, and Danish walked back in. Instead of approaching them, he took a seat in a nearby chair and watched them with quiet interest.