Page 37 of The Promise of a Traitor

“Very romantic Jij,” Amyra teased from the bed, the lines of fatigue etched into her face seeming to ease with the brilliance of her smile. “We should get Dr. Amay in here more often if it has you transforming from the grump into this version of Prince Charming.”

“Don’t make me gag.” Advik started to pack up his laptop and shove all his things back into his bag. “I have to get to the office. I’ll call and check on you guys later today.”

Aastha watched him silently. But as he went to walk past her, she caught his arm. “No engagement so soon.”

His eyes hardened, going to where she gripped his arm, her desperation seeming to irritate him. “Why not?” he queried softly. “Can’t stand the idea of shackling yourself to me? Are you planning to run again? To ghost me?”

She opened her mouth to say something and then shut it. There was no point. Adi would only hear what he wanted to hear right now. Adi dipped his head, his lips lining up beside her ear, so only she could hear his next words, “Don’t even think about running, sweetheart. Not this time. I will find you, no matter where you go or how far you run.”

Her lips tightened but her eyes flickered towards her sister who was watching them with a small smile. “I don’t run, sweetheart,” she said, the bite in her voice telling him exactly what she thought of him. “I walk away.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Advik

Advik raked a hand through his hair in frustration as he read through the email thread from his investor. His mountain of tasks just seemed to be growing, no matter how hard he tried to work his way to its bottom. Today hadn’t been the smoothest day, especially since he’d gotten a late start after the hospital incident. All day, he’d stopped himself from messaging Aastha to check on her and Amyra. Had they eaten? Did they need anything dropped off? Why did he care? And yet, he did.

He cared that her parents didn’t seem to think they were responsible for either of their daughters. Her mother was planning her engagement while she was caring for her sick sister. What kind of dysfunctional hell did they live in? Was her family the reason why she’d returned from New York? And if it was, why the secrecy? Why hadn’t she told him that she was coming back to India?

A knock sounded on his office door, stoking his irritation. “Come in,” he growled, frustrated at the interruption.

“That’s an impressive growl.” Kanak Thakkar stuck her head around the door. “Been training with your Uncle Aakash?”

“Interned with the best.” Advik grinned, standing to hug his aunt. Maya wandered in behind her, carrying a small mountain of shopping bags. She dumped them on the couch in the corner of the room and sat down with a sigh of relief.

Advik eyed the pile of designer carry bags and then looked at the two of them. “What’s that about? Another midlife crisis? The last one my mother had ended up with me engaged.”

Kanak threw back her head and laughed, her loud, boisterous laugh filling the space and drawing grins from the other two.

“I don’t do mid-life crises,” Kanak said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I give people mid-day headaches instead.”

Advik pressed the buzzer for his office boy and asked, “Can I get you both something to drink?”

“Tea,” Maya murmured, rummaging through one of the bags for something.

Advik placed the order before asking, “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

“Honour,” Kanak corrected, “not pleasure.”

“Honour,” Advik accepted with a grin.

Maya pulled out something and held it up. A cream sherwani with subtle gold embroidery around the neckline. “What do you think?” she asked Advik.

“What am I looking at?”

“Your engagement sherwani, of course.” Kanak crossed her legs, propped her elbow on them and cupped her chin in her palm. “It’s in a week or so right? Not much time for all the finer details. So, we figured we’ll buy something, bring it in here, check sizing and then alter what needs to be altered.”

Maya held it up to him. “It’s lovely, isn’t it?” she beamed at him. “You’ll look like a prince.”

“A prince?” Advik gaped at the two of them. “What’s wrong with you people? I’m not getting engaged at such short notice!”

“But your mother-in-law says that’s the only good day for Aastha and your horoscope.”

“M-m-my horoscope?” Advik spluttered, even as the words mother-in-law caused his heart to quail in his chest.

“Yes.” Kanak got up to measure the sherwani against his back. “Apparently, you’re going to have three children, two boys and one girl. Oh, and your mother-in-law-”

“Stop saying mother-in-law!” Advik roared. “That woman is barely even a mother.”