Page 53 of Since You Stole My Heart

He let out a chuckle. ‘Oh, thank God.’

The pandit resumed the chants, and Swayam leaned closer, his fingers finding the nape of her neck before fastening the mangalsutra in place. His breath against her skin made her acutely aware of every point of contact.

The weight of the pendant settled against her collarbone, familiar yet entirely new.

‘Thevivaahis complete now. Your fates are joined together in holy matrimony today. May God bless you,’ the pandit announced with a smile.

A cheer rose around them as they were pulled into a group hug.

Kashvi let out a breath that turned into a laugh when Swayam pulled her to him. As she nestled in his arms, a crazy thought slipped through her mind, one she tried to dismiss but couldn’t.

I’m home.

Chapter 11

The clock on her bedside table edged past two, sharpening her frustration with every tick. Kashvi tossed and turned restlessly beneath the covers, unable to relax enough to sleep. She exhaled slowly into the darkness, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as her thoughts dragged her back to the worry niggling at her mind.

In a few hours, she would have to sit across from her father as she tried to make her case to the trust liaison. The thought made her stomach knot, and she curled her fingers into the fluffy blanket, trying to ground herself.

Swayam would be there too.

She turned onto her side again, her hands tucked beneath her cheek. Her gaze fell on the file resting on her dressing table. Their marriage certificate was tucked safely inside, ready to be presented tomorrow.

Kashvi did not know how to reconcile the two parts of her life that would collide in that room. She didn’t want Swayam to see the version of her that existed in the shadow of her father’s control.

Would he look at her differently then? Would it make him regret the decision to marry her?

When they had returned home hours ago, he’d made sure she was okay. Then he had given her space. It should have eased her mind. Instead, it left her eerily aware of the silence.

Kashvi ran her fingertips over the small beads of the mangalsutra around her neck. In just a day, it had begun to feel like hers. With every passing second, it took root within her, and she knew she would never be able to take it off and go back to her old life.

She pressed her lips together. There was no point in being consumed by fears of tomorrow when there was nothing she could do about it tonight, and staying up like this would only leave her drained.

‘Fuck this,’ she muttered, pushing herself upright in bed. Her hair fell forward over her shoulder, and she dragged a hand through the tangles.

She swung her feet onto the floor, curling her toes against the cold surface as she let out a slow exhale.

The dark hallway greeted her when she stepped out of the room. A distant hum from the city drifted faintly through the balcony. She flicked on the dim light and noticed the hulking figure fast asleep.

Swayam was stretched out on the sofa, one arm bent beneath his head, the other resting over his chest.

Her heart began to race, though for a very different reason than surprise. She leaned against the doorway, her eyes fixed onhim as she took in the way the dim light traced the line of his jaw, the thick disarray of his hair, and his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

It’s unfair how good he looks, even when he’s sleeping.

Shaking her head, she closed the door as quietly as possible, but the soft click was enough.

He woke up immediately, catching her standing at the edge of the room. ‘Kashvi?’ he asked, his voice rough with sleep.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up,’ she said quickly.

‘It’s fine. I’m a light sleeper anyway,’ he replied, sitting up. ‘What’s up? Are you okay?’

‘Yeah.’ She hesitated, then gestured towards the sofa. ‘Why are you out here?’

‘I like it here.’

‘We can get you another bed if the one you have isn’t working out,’ she offered.