Page 27 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘C’mon, you don’t actually believe that,’ Siya urged.

‘I’ve seen what happens when the wrong man thinks marriage gives him control over your life.’

Siya’s tone softened. ‘Are you talking about Dad?’

Kashvi shrugged. ‘Take your pick. Dad, Mihu’s ex, half our relatives. They’re all the same.’

‘That doesn’t happen in every marriage,’ Siya reasoned.

‘It happens in enough of them.’

Siya pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. ‘You’re letting fear make decisions for you, Kashu.’

‘I call it learning from experience. I’m never going to end up like Maa.’

‘Hey,’ Siya said, catching hold of her arm. ‘Is that what you’re worried about? You know that I would never let you get trapped her, right?’

Kashvi nodded. ‘I know. That’s why I’m eliminating the need to be saved by never getting married. I think it’s a genius plan.’

Siya smacked her lightly on the forehead, making her laugh.

‘So why exactly did you wait until after Dhruv knew to tell me about the adoption plans?’ The moment the words left her mouth, Kashvi winced inwardly. She’d been so off the grid.

Siya pinned her with a scathing look.

Great! Maybe I should also remind her that I failed math test in class five?

‘Sorry, I take it back,’ Kashvi said quickly, raising her hands. ‘That was a very stupid question.’

‘You’re lucky I’m in a forgiving mood,’ Siya said dryly, turning to pick up the leather file from the table. She held it out towards her. ‘This was another reason I needed to find you.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Read it.’

The leather felt cool under her fingers as Kashvi opened it. Inside were neatly clipped documents, the letterhead of their family’s legal firm printed at the top.

Inheritance Activation & Transfer of Chairmanship of Kashyap Foundation Trust.

Her stomach tightened as Siya nudged a pen towards her. ‘You just need to sign the marked sections.’

Kashvi took it, turning it slowly between her fingers as she gathered the courage to do it. With a sigh, she uncapped the pen and began signing through the sections.

‘I’m surprised you’re actually doing it,’ Siya said, relief in her voice. ‘You’ve been refusing that money ever since the lawyers first mentioned it.’

Kashvi kept her misty eyes on the page. She didn’t need reminding that she was breaking a vow she had once sworn to keep.

Every rupee in the inheritance her mother left behind was tangled too tightly with memories she never wanted to revisit. But the chairmanship of the family trust had changed things.

No more red tape. No more waiting months for approvals. No more turning away children because there weren’t enough resources. And she could direct that money where it was needed the most.

It was a win-win. At least, that’s what she told herself so she could live with it.

‘The foundation needs this money. That’s the only reason I agreed.’

‘So you’re going to put your inheritance into the foundation?’

‘Uh-huh. All of it.’