Page 97 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘I would love to take that easy route, but my mother had to go and find the perfect girl for her golden boy,’ Viraj said, resentment thick in his voice. ‘And you want to know the sad part? Aisha is hot, really hot. I’d drop Lavanya in a second if I got a real shot with her.’

The bitterness in his voice was unmistakable.

‘Then what do you even get out of this? Why do you want him to marry her?’

‘I love hot girls, but I love money more. Her father is loaded, and he’s offered a generous amount if Swayam agrees.’

‘So you’re not only a sleazebag, but you’re also betraying your cousin for money?’ she asked, thoroughly repulsed.

‘Don’t be a dumb bitch. Everyone wins this way. My mother gets her perfect daughter-in-law, Swayam gets a hot chick, and I get money. But you fucked up my plan by marrying him, so you’re going to fix it, because you don’t really have a choice.’

Kashvi swallowed, her mind racing through possibilities, but every path circled back to the same trap he had laid out for her. She dug her nails into her palm, feeling helpless.

‘And eventually, I’ll take back my mother from him too, but that can wait. For now, I’ll settle for his wife.’

‘And if all of this isn’t motivating enough for you, maybe you should think about Siya,’ he suggested, smirking at her. ‘You think people will line up to give her a child once this scandal comes out? Could you really do this to your sister because you refuse to give up a guy?’

No, she couldn’t.

A faint ringing filled her ears, and her vision darkened. How could he know about their adoption plans when only their immediate circle knew?

Viraj watched her with a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.

Siya had already lost a chance at motherhood once because of her. Would she be able to cope with losing it again?

Kashvi grasped at straws as she insisted, ‘You have a girlfriend! You’re getting engaged to Lavanya tomorrow! Think about her!’

Viraj chuckled. ‘Actually, I do the opposite. When I’m in bed with her, I think about you.’

Kashvi stared at him, dumbfounded. Disbelief and disgust collided inside her as she asked, ‘How do you even live with yourself?’

Viraj shrugged, unbothered by her outburst. A predatory glint filled his eyes as his gaze moved over her.

‘You can’t blame me for that. I mean, just look at you, such a firecracker,’ he said, sliding his hand down her back and pinching her behind.

She went rigid for a second, invasive shock slicing through her before fury consumed her.

Her hand twitched with the urge to slap him, but before she could, the balcony door slid open.

Kashvi whirled around, her heart hammering in her chest, and found Lavanya stepping out.

Her gaze flickered between them, then to where he held Kashvi’s elbow. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Please don’t tell Swayam I let his guest slip,’ Viraj said, squeezing her elbow in warning to follow his lead before finally letting go.

Kashvi forced herself to relax as she turned to Lavanya with an apologetic smile. ‘I’m sorry, I get ridiculously clumsy when I’ve had a bit to drink.’

Lavanya’s gaze lingered on her suspiciously. ‘Are you okay?’

Kashvi nodded quickly. ‘I’m fine. Just embarrassed more than anything.’

Viraj asked sympathetically, ‘Did the aunties trouble you too much?’

Lavanya dragged her gaze back to him, and a hesitant smile began forming on her lips when he blew her a kiss. ‘No. Swayam distracted them by getting them to give toasts, but now he’s roped into giving one too. I came to get both of you.’

Kashvi leaned against the railing, trying to get her restless nerves under control.

‘Good thing you did. I would’ve hated to miss that,’ Viraj said.