Page 201 of One Hellish Passion

Bajaj Mansion

Maya clutched Ranveer’s arm tightly as they stepped out of the car in front of the mansion. Despite being her father, Vivek Bajaj always annoyed her. Maya scanned the surroundings. She had been here once or twice, but only to warn her father to stay away from her mother. She didn’t want him to confuse her mother or give her false hopes. But today was different. She hadn’t come here for her mother, but for herself. Ranveer sensed the nervousness on Maya’s face and gently rubbed her arm to offer her some strength.

“We don’t have to do this if it annoys you,” he whispered.

Maya shook her head. “If I don’t do this now, I never will.”

Ranveer didn’t understand what she meant. “I thought we were here to return the gift,” he said.

“And put an end to this forever,” she clarified. “I don’t want him in my life.”

Ranveer looked at her, puzzled.

“Your mother might not feel the same. You know she still has feelings for him,” he pointed out.

“I’m not trying to control her. She loves him deeply. Regardless of whether he acknowledges her in his life or not, she won’t change her feelings for him. I tried to keep her away from him, but it’s high time to stop. She can handle this on her own,” Maya explained.

“And what if she gets into trouble?” Ranveer interjected.

Maya smiled gently. “Then we’ll intervene. I can count on you for that, can’t I?”

Ranveer tightened his arm around her. “Always,” he whispered. “I’m glad you’re not trying to control your mother’s life anymore.”

“That’s because I’m tired of doing it, Ranveer. I’ve done my best to keep her away from him, but she still defies my wishes and meets him, calls him behind my back. I don’t understand what she still sees in him,” Maya confessed.

“Ssh,” Ranveer hushed her, placing his finger on her lips. He didn’t want her to break down in tears. “Sometimes we have to loosen our grip to strengthen our bonds. You’re doing nothing wrong. Whatever you decide, I’m always here for you.”

She wanted to kiss him right then for being so understanding. Patting his chest, she led him to the door to complete the task they came for.

“I hope he’s home,” she mumbled as they rang the doorbell.

“Maya? Ranveer?” Vivek Bajaj descended to the living room after learning from his servant about their arrival.

Maya kept her gaze fixed on the man as he approached them, while Ranveer was more concerned for his wife, wanting to ensure she didn’t falter.

“I was just thinking if you got my gift and here you are,” Vivek stated.

“I received it this morning,” she replied.

“I hope you liked it. Garima loves diamonds too,” Vivek added.

“I am not her,” Maya snapped.

Vivek was confused as to why she sounded angry. He was merely trying to bridge the gap between them. Maya took out the box and placed it on the small table near the couch.

“I came here to return it,” she declared.

“Returning? But it’s your wedding gift,” Vivek protested.

“I don’t want anything from you.”

“You cannot deny your father the right to gift you on your wedding, Maya,” he insisted.

Vivek Bajaj was annoyed by her rejection, but she remained indifferent.

“I know I have failed to take your responsibility or give your mother her rightful place in my life. But that still doesn’t change the fact that you have my blood. I want to be there for you and Garima going forward. Don’t deny me that right,” he pleaded.

Maya was disinterested in prolonging this conversation, but she knew it was time to confront this man.

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