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Dev shrugged. “Karma does have a way to come biting back because I’m standing here in a corner while your husband is right by their side.”
“Why are yousulkingin the corner?” she asked. “I assumed you’re invited; that’s why you’re here.”
“Why have you left the party to engage with me?” he countered. “Won’t your husband have a problem with you talking to me?”
“I can handle my husband,” she replied confidently. “What I cannot deal with anymore is this useless enmity between Rajiv and you. Even saying your name gets him all agitated, and I’m quite sick of it. You both are grown-ups and need to act as such.”
His eyes widened. “You’re saying this despite knowing my situation with the Rajpoots? He will always be on their side.”
“Avi is one of my dearest friends. We talk…a lot. If she’s decided to give you a chance, I have to trust her on it. Tell her your story and put the past behind you all.”
It was so easy for Sheena, an outsider, to give this advice. Only he knew the deep level of insecurity he underwent while even imagining Avantika’s rejection once he laid the truth out to her.
At that very moment, Avantika came to stand next to Rajiv. Their heads were bent together, and she was talking to him softly as if she were sharing a great secret with him. A strong wave of possessiveness shot through him. Dev’s vision darkened, his fists curled, and his body stiffened.
Mine!
The word whispered through the haze in his head, settling in his soul. Avantika was his. And seeing her next to the man who she could have married at one time was unacceptable.
“There’s nothing between them,” Sheena said calmly. “You can relax.”
“I’m sure you know that your husband proposed to her several times.”
Sheena laughed. “I believe that was before I came into Rajiv’s life.”
Seeing his lips flatten, she said, “Rajiv proposed to her because of Neil. She was a friend who had gotten pregnant and was in hiding. Rajiv didn’t love her; he only wanted to support her.” Her eyes twinkled. “Besides, he didn’t believe in love until I came along and changed his mind. He’s never looked at another woman since.”
Dev gaped at her. She was full of confidence and sass. If it were anyone else, he would have accepted that he liked her even. Unfortunately, she was married to Rajiv.
“Doesheknow you’re standing with me?” Dev queried.
She chuckled. “Of course, he knows. He’s only allowing this conversation for Avi’s sake.”
At that moment, Rajiv’s gaze zeroed in on Dev. His old nemesis lifted his jaw, and a warning flashed in his eyes.
“I think it’s time you returned to your husband, Mrs. Mehra.”
“End this war, Dev…” She tipped her chin in the direction of the living room where the entire Rajpoot family stood, oblivious to the fact that he was right there. “They all deserve peace. And don’t you too?”
She left him then, as he pondered over her words.
“Dad, you’re here!” Neil’s happy voice reached him. He looked up and smiled as Neil ran to him and tugged his hand, drawing him deeper inside the house.
In front of him, everyone stilled. Only Sanjana had a wide smile etched on her face. She left Aaryan’s side and rushed to him. She stood in front of him hesitating, her hand rubbing her wrist as she did when she was nervous. He sighed, watching her scarred wrist. Yet another infraction he held the burden of.
“Dev, you came…” Sanjana whispered.
“Can I ever say no to you, kiddo?” he said.
She grinned. “Does that mean you forgive me?”
“It means I’m willing to try. That’s all I can say for now.”
He still wasn’t over her betrayal, but he did understand why she had done what she had.
Her lips wobbled, and her eyes shone with unshed tears. Dev opened his arms, and Sanjana flung herself at his chest as she always had since she was a kid. He’d raised her ever since their mother had passed away while giving birth to her, and their father had blamed her for it.
His arms wrapped around her, and he held her close for a second before he released her. She swirled and faced Aaryan, who was by the dining table with Vihaan, Tiya, Shaurya, and Myra, all their eyes on them.
