I don’t say anything or tease her. I simply keep looking at her, and somehow, that seems to irritate her even more. She gives me one last stubborn glare, then turns around and walks away without another word. I remain where I am, watching her disappear from the stable as I slowly shake my head.
Unbelievable.
She came here determined to make me regret marrying her, and ended up accidentally claiming me as her husband. If this ishow she plans to take her revenge, I have a feeling the coming days are going to be far more entertaining than I’d anticipated.
I know this stunt wasn’t random. She didn’t walk into the stable by accident. She deliberately chose Rogan. Out of every horse at RK Estate, she went straight for the one I had forbidden her to ride.
I smirk. She’s no longer just fighting me. She’s studying me… learning where to strike, which lines to cross, and which of my rules to break if she wants a reaction.
My gaze drifts towards Rogan. The stable boy has already led him back into his enclosure, yet the horse isn’t looking at him. His ears remain turned towards the stable entrance, towards the path Siya has just taken, as though he’s still watching her leave.
My brow furrows as I realise something.
Rogan is no different from me. He doesn’t trust people and rarely lets anyone near him without making them work for it. But today, he carried her without protest and responded to every command she gave. Even now, after she’s gone, he watching her walk away.
I stare at the horse for another long moment before shaking my head. Maybe Rogan isn’t the only stubborn creature on this estate who’s beginning to surrender to her.
SIYA
I return to the villa to find Mom sitting outside in the front yard with a cup of tea in her hands. But she isn’t alone. Esha is sitting across from her, animatedly discussing something. And judging by the look of surprise on Mom’s face, I begin to worry that Esha might be sharing more than she should.
Curious, I step outside and walk towards them. As I get closer, I notice Mom’s expression shift from surprise to shock.
What’s going on?My pace quickens. What exactly are they talking about? That’s when I catch Esha’s next words.
“...and honestly, the moment Siya Ma’am placed the lily garland around Raghav Sir’s neck that night, the entire Shivtara Valley was shocked.”
I freeze.
Oh God.
No. Not this.
Mom’s eyebrows shoot upwards while Esha continues enthusiastically.
“We all knew something was brewing between the two ever since Ma’am came to RK Estate,” Esha adds cheerfully, completely unaware of the implications of her words.
Please stop talking. Please.
But she doesn’t. Esha lets out an awkward smile and actually blushes before continuing, “But when Haider and I accidentally interrupted their kiss near the temple later that night, all my assumptions became real.”
My heart drops as Mom’s eyes go wide. By now, I know exactly what she’s thinking. Judging by the way she’s staring ahead, she has already connected the dots. I almost groan.
Before Esha can say another word, I finally reach them.
“Esha.”
Esha immediately brightens. “Siya Ma’am! Good morning.”
Mom doesn’t smile, though. She keeps looking at me, holding onto her anger. Esha’s smile slowly fades as she notices the rising anger on Mom’s face. She looks between us, and realisation dawns on her.
Too late. The damage is done.
“What… what are you doing here?” I ask Esha, deliberately ignoring the look Mom is giving me.
“Umm...” Esha quickly reaches for a file lying on the table and holds it up. “I came for Raghav Sir’s signatures on some resort documents.” She points at the papers. “But your mom told me he wasn’t home. I was about to leave and come back later, but she insisted I stay for tea.”
Then she pushes the file towards me.
