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She leaned against the bathroom door, crying silently. Not just at the heartbreak he caused her but how he would do the same to her family. She could not let him do that. She had to stop him, even if it meant she had to work with Bharath to stop Jai.
Her breath started to come fast as her mind started to race. She should talk to him when she sees him at the event, and take the opportunity to tell him that she will fight him if she needs to.
With that plan in mind, she walked into the shower, ready to take on the day and the tough conversation she would have with the heartless man who stole her heart and tainted her soul.
*****
Later that morning, she held her laptop in her hand as she went to the back of the stage looking for him. The large auditorium was undergoing final touchups as she stopped to check with one of the event planning staff for the attendee list.
When she saw that Jai was checked in as arrived, she went to one of the many staging rooms set up forLok Shakthi NGOmembers and volunteers. He was neither but was there solely because she married him. If only she had kept running and not fallen for his stupid deal.
She slowed down her footsteps when she saw his security stationed by a door. They greeted her when they saw her. “Good morning, is Jai in the room? Is he meeting with someone?”
The security nodded. “Ma’am, the Yuvraj is in a meeting with your father.”
With her father? Was he telling on her? No one should find out about what happened.
“Oh, I need to be in that meeting too,” she managed to say, and just as the security guard was reaching for his walkie-talkie to ask if she could be sent in, the door flew open.
She let out a gasp when her eyes met his, and her heart nosedived into her stomach. He looked angry, and his eyes were red. “Sanjana, we were just talking about you.” Her father’s words made her look away from Jai and smile.
“Papa, I need to talk to Jai for a few minutes. I’ll meet you backstage.” She spoke fast as she stepped into the room with the man her heart still beat for. It twisted painfully at the reminder of the betrayal but also seemed to be leaping with joy at the very sight of him.
“Okay, I will see you later, dear.” Her father left, and she noticed Jai’s security followed him and did not stay back. Jai shut the door and stood by it, his eyes trained on her.
She took a few moments to gather herself as she processed her overwhelmingly conflicted emotions she was feeling in that moment. Something told her she would not have fallen for a guy if he was bad, but she brushed that away and looked up at him. “Jai, I don’t know what your plan is going forward, but I have a proposition.”
A curious eyebrow flew up as he held her gaze. “And why would I be interested in your proposal?”
She stepped closer to him and lowered her voice like she didn’t want anyone to hear. “I know your plan and how you plan to gain popularity by using the name of my father’s NGO for your political party.” She paused when his expression did not falter. “You’ve used me in every way possible, and it’s my fault I fell for your friggin’ charm and the beautiful act you put on.” Her chest was heaving, but she continued, “I don’t care if you start your own party, but if you use the association with my father, I want you to give him credit for what he has done.”
He stayed silent for a long moment. “And why would I do that? What’s in it for me?”
“Me. I will remain your wife for however long you want to leverage my father’s hard work and name but promise me you won’t sideline him or stop him from doing the right thing.” Her voice shook as she suppressed a sob.
“Are you making me a new deal?” His voice was gruff.
“Yes, I will do anything you want me to, just don’t kill my father’s spirit by taking away what he built.” She blinked away angry tears.
“Anything?” He stepped closer, and her chin tilted up to hold his gaze.
“Yes.” Her voice was a hiss as she contemplated what she had gotten herself into. If she got into a deeper hold with him, it would still be worth it as her father’s vision would be protected. She might even be able to know if he was going to do anything to undermine her father, even in the future.
Keep friends close, enemies closer.
“How can I trust you to not do what you did a few days ago? Leave without a word.” He sounded angry, but the underlying tone triggered something else inside her. Was he sad she left?
No. You fool. Don’t let your weak heart tell you what to hear.
“I… I was upset, and I couldn’t be in the same room with you.” She fought back tears as sadness around leaving him gripped her. “I felt cheated because I believed in everything you said, and I fell in love with you…” Her voice trailed off when he placed his hand on her cheek.
“Sanjana, believe me when I say I love you, and I didn’t mean to hurt you.” His words made her wince, and she stepped away from him and placed her hand on the doorknob.
“I’m done here. You let me know what you decide to do, and we will take it from there.” She opened the door and stopped when he called out to her.
He stepped closer to her and whispered, “You will be the one to tell me and everyone what the decision is about the political party.”
She looked at him perplexed, and knowing she was running out of time, she walked away to meet her father and the other key members backstage.
