𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐇

I clenched the passport in my hand, frustration gnawing at me. It was a constant reminder of the tangled emotions and unfinished business between us. This wasn't just about the money-it was about betrayal, secrets, and the pain that had festered in her absence. I tossed the passport onto the passenger seat and gripped the steering wheel tighter, the leather creaking under the pressure.

As I pulled up to Arjun's house, my thoughts were a storm. I knew he'd be out for a while, and the spare key he'd given me years ago was still hidden where it always was. I needed a drink to calm the chaos inside me. I walked into the house, greeted by the familiar scent of old wood and leather. It was oddly comforting. Heading straight for the bar, I poured myself a generous amount of whiskey.

I downed the first glass in one gulp, savoring the burn as it slid down my throat. Pouring another, I leaned against the bar, trying to push away the image of her hugging Arjun. It boiled my blood, bringing back memories of the day I saw them kiss-a memory that still stung like a fresh wound. How long had Arjun known she was alive? Why had he kept it from me?

Then I heard the front door creak open. I turned, glass in hand, and saw Arjun walking in. His eyes widened slightly when he saw me, but he quickly masked his surprise.

"Ansh," he greeted, his voice calm. "I figured you might come here."

I took a sip of my drink, my anger barely contained. "You knew she was alive, didn't you? How long have you known, Arjun?"

Arjun met my gaze, his expression earnest. "I found out a few months ago."

"You should have told me," I snapped, throwing the glass against the wall where it shattered into pieces. I stood, hands trembling with anger. "You should have been upfront with me about her."

"I know," Arjun said calmly, stepping closer but keeping a respectful distance. "But I wanted her to come forward on her own terms."

"And you decided you were the one to make that decision for her?" I shot back. "You had no right."

"It wasn't my decision to make, Ansh," Arjun replied firmly. "It was hers, not mine, and certainly not yours."

I glared at Arjun, my fists clenched. "This isn't just about her. The family was involved. Dadi was involved. Sure, I made my share of mistakes, but pretending to be dead for ten years? That's not just wrong; it's a betrayal."

Arjun's expression softened, his eyes reflecting understanding. "I get it, Ansh. It's a tangled mess. But you need to talk to her. Really talk. This isn't something that can be fixed with anger or accusations."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of our unspoken thoughts pressing down on us.

I held his gaze, my voice sharp as I said, "I'll talk to her, but this time, you stay out of it. This is between her and me-no one else gets to interfere."

Arjun stepped back, nodding slowly. I spun on my heel, the heat of my anger propelling me as I stormed out of his house.

***

I pulled up to the police station, my mind still reeling from the arguments and unanswered questions. As the car parked, I saw her-Vinnie-through the rare view mirror. Arjun didn't come with them today, as I had asked him not to get involved between her and me.

But she was there with another man, and her friends clustered around them. The man's hand rested gently on her arm, his touch tender. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her forehead in a soft kiss. Vinnie's eyes fluttered shut for a moment, a small, wistful smile touching her lips.

The sight of them together struck me like a physical blow. I saw his hand cup her face, his gaze locked on hers with an intensity that made my stomach twist. He said something, his voice low and soothing, causing her smile to widen. Then, with a gentle, almost reverent motion, he took her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

My fists tightened into hard, immovable balls at my sides, and the muscles in my jaw clenched so tight I thought they might break. My breath quickened, a mix of anger and hurt surging through me as I saw them share intimate moments.

Why did she always seem to be wrapped up in another man's world, so easily shifting from one to the next? I felt an almost overwhelming urge to storm up to them, to demand answers, but I forced myself to stay rooted.

I stepped out of the car, glanced at them, buttoned my suit, and then headed inside the station. Moments later, they entered as well. Vinnie sat beside me, her friends stood nearby. The man wasn't there but I caught a whiff of men's perfume on her.

"So, everything settled here then, Mr. Shergill?" The Inspector looked up and asked, glancing between us.

"Not quite," I replied, my gaze fixed on Vinnie. "I don't need the money anymore. I want to buy the land now."

Her eyes widened with frustration. "But you said the other day that you wanted your money back."

"Yes, but I've changed my mind," I said firmly. "Now I want the land."

She clenched her fists, struggling to maintain her composure. "You can't just change the terms like this. We had an agreement."

I leaned forward, my voice low but intense. "The agreement changes when I say it does. I want the land, Ms. Bakshi, and I'm not backing down."

Vinnie took a deep breath, her eyes blazing. "Fine. You want the land? You'll get it. Give me the papers, and I will sign them right here, right now."

I looked at her, a smirk spreading across my face. "It's going to take some time to prepare the papers," I said, though I had already prepared them. I wasn't going to let her off that easily.

"What? I can't be here anymore. I have so much work pending. Being here is affecting my business. Is this a joke to you, Mr. Shergill?" Her calling me by my surname felt like a punch to my gut.

I leaned back, savoring the moment. "Not a joke, Ms. Bakshi. Just business. You of all people should understand that."

Her eyes blazed with anger. "You're wasting my time on purpose. This isn't fair, and you know it."

"Fair?" I raised an eyebrow. "You expect fairness after everything that's happened? This is me being generous."

She clenched her fists, visibly struggling to maintain her composure. "Generous? You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

I shrugged, the smirk never leaving my face. "I'm simply ensuring everything is in order. You wouldn't want any mistakes, would you?"

Her jaw tightened, but she stayed silent, glaring at me with pure contempt.

"Well, I'm finished for today," I said, rising from my seat. "I have other pressing matters to attend to. I'll inform you when the papers are ready, Ms. Bakshi."

I turned and walked out of the station, leaving Vinnie behind with the lingering tension still thick in the air.

As I neared my car and was about to get inside, I heard Vinnie's voice.

"Mr. Shergill, wait!" she shouted. I turned around.

She hurried and stood in front of me and said, "You forgot about my passport," Her voice sharp. "I want my passport."

"So, you want your passport back?" I asked, hands inside my pocket.

"Yes," she insisted. "I need it right now."I looked at her with a calm but resolute expression.

"I'm afraid that's not going to happen right now."Her eyes widened with disbelief and frustration. "What do you mean, it's not going to happen? I need that passport for my travel."

"I understand," I said coolly. "But I'm not returning it until everything is settled. Consider it collateral until the land deal is finalized."

Her frustration flared. "This is unreasonable. You're using my passport as leverage?"

"Yes," I replied, maintaining my composure. "It's part of the deal now. I need to ensure that everything is in place before I return it."

She took a step closer, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "This was never just about money or land for you, was it?"

I took a deep breath and finally spoke, my voice cold. "You're right. It was never about the money or the land. It's about making sure you understand the consequences of betraying me."

Her face flushed with anger. "I did what I had to do. You have no idea what I've been through."

"You think that excuses everything?" I demanded, my voice rising. "I need answers. Why did you vanish for ten years and let everyone believe you were dead? Now you think you can settle the money and land, and go back to New York as if nothing happened?"

Her eyes narrowed, her anger palpable. "This isn't just about your grudge, Mr. Shergill. It's about real lives and the pain you're causing."

I clenched my jaw, my resolve unshaken. "Pain? You're the one who betrayed me, who decided to play games. Now you're dealing with the fallout, and you're not leaving until I say so."

Her frustration boiled over. "You're letting this consume you, and it's going to hurt more than just me."

I met her gaze with a steely expression. "If it's the only way you'll understand the seriousness of what you've done, then so be it."

With that, I turned and got into my car. As the driver started the engine and pulled away, I glanced back through the rearview mirror. I saw Vinnie standing there, a storm of anger and helplessness etched on her face.

As I watched Vinnie's silhouette fade in the distance, my mind raced. "Am I going too far?" I wondered. "Is this really the right way to handle things, or am I letting my need for revenge take over?" The confrontation had stirred a mix of guilt and doubt, but I pushed those thoughts aside. "In this game of high stakes, I can't afford to show weakness. She crossed me, and now she has to face the consequences."

⇜ ♥ ⇝

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