Page 77 of One Hellish Passion

He crossed his arms obstinately. “Not until you agree to move in with me.”

Maya looked at him in disbelief. He could be this stubborn when she was hospitalized?

“What you're asking is impossible,” she insisted.

“It's for your safety and your mother's too,” Ranveer pressed.

Maya looked away silently.

“Fine, don't call the nurse. I'll go to the bathroom myself,” she snapped, sliding her feet off the bed unsteadily. As she tried to balance on her uninjured leg, she stumbled. Before she could fall, Ranveer scooped her up effortlessly and carried her to the bathroom.

“Put me down. What are you doing?” Maya demanded, clutching his shirt for support.

Ranveer didn't respond. He set her down inside the bathroom, keeping hold until she had the door knob to steady herself.

“Take your time inside. But when you come out, I expect a ‘yes’,” he told her sardonically before shutting the door.

Maya was stunned by his audacity. She absolutely could not agree to live with him. Hopefully he wouldn't convince her mother either - if so, Maya would have no choice but to obey.

Chapter 23

Hospital

Staying under the same roof with Ranveer Malhotra at Paradise was impossible to imagine. Maya worried what people would think, just like when her own mother was blamed years ago.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock as Aisha entered. “Good evening, Ma'am.”

“Aisha, please come in,” Maya welcomed, setting her novel aside. She felt glad Aisha was back on the job after the unjust firing. Maya knew the pain of losing work because of that man.

“How are you feeling now?” Aisha asked politely.

“Good, thank you,” Maya replied.

Aisha smiled uncomfortably. “And thank you, for getting me this job again. I know Boss only rehired me because you asked him to.”

Maya just smiled in return. “It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have taken another route.”

“No Ma'am, it's my duty to protect you and I failed. But I swear it won't happen again, “Aisha pledged sincerely.

Another knock preceded a tall man in a suit entering - a private detective hired by Ranveer to investigate the crash, as Aisha explained. Maya was surprised by his extensive efforts on her behalf.

The detective asked Maya details about her routine, suspicious communications, and if she suspected anyone at work. She answered everything she knew, with Aisha listening nearby.

“When did you last see Mr. Bajaj?” he then questioned unexpectedly.

“Uh - three days before the accident, at my mother's therapist clinic,” Maya replied, startled by mention of her father.

The detective took notes and showed Maya a copy of her phone records, asking about a number highlighted in yellow.

“I don't know whose number that is,” Maya said.

“You received a call from it the morning of your accident,” he revealed.

Maya recalled the strange call at work now.

“Yes, I remember answering but no one spoke.”

He kept the papers back in the file.

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