Page 98 of One Hellish Passion

“Don't stop me. I regret involving you in this plan. I shouldn't have let you get so close to Ranveer.”

Maya retreated further. “Ranveer and I were already dating when you found out.”

“But you don't want him like I want you,” Kunal insisted. “We used to be such good friends.”

“The only relationship we have now is through your brother,” Maya said firmly.

“It doesn’t have to be that way.” He tried to pin her to the wall but Maya pushed him away.

“But it is that way Kunal and that won’t change.”

“But why, Maya?” Kunal shouted.

A roar from the doorway made them both jump. “No one speaks to my girlfriend like that.”

Kunal hadn't anticipated Ranveer eavesdropping on their conversation, yet the latter displayed no signs of fear. Perhaps Ranveer didn't overhear the dialogue, as otherwise, he might have promptly expelled the father-son from his home. For Maya, Ranveer's unexpected presence was a relief, especially after Kunal's unbearable behavior.

“Chill, Ranveer. You're shouting as if she's not your girlfriend but your wife,” Kunal mocked.

Ranveer approached them, positioning himself between Kunal and Maya, his gaze piercingly intense.

“Be grateful that she's not my wife yet, Kunal. Because when she becomes my wife, I won't let men even dare look at her, forget speaking and flirting.”

Maya's jaw dropped. Did she hear him correctly? Wife? Did he just declare his intention to make her his wife, or was it a heat-of-the-moment statement?

“Cool off, Ranveer,” Kunal stepped back. “So much anger is not good for your health.”

“I can take care of myself. You worry about yours,” Ranveer retorted.

Kunal raised his arms in surrender. “Fine. I'll better get out. Bye, Maya.”

Maya remained silent as Kunal exited. Once he was gone, she searched Ranveer's face for answers, heart racing.

“Are you alright?” he inquired.

“What did you say to him?” Maya asked, shock written across her delicate features. “Wife?”

“Did I say wife?” Ranveer countered, feigning the same surprise in a mocking tone.

Maya breathed a quiet sigh of relief as she read the truth in his expression—it had been a spur of the moment comment, not a real declaration. But just as she began to relax, Ranveer started stepping towards her with intent.

“I am Ranveer Malhotra. My actions may be spontaneous but my words are carefully chosen,” he rasped, his gaze raking over her.

Maya bristled, meeting his heavy stare. “You have the qualities of a wife, Maya,” he grinned.

“While you are not even close to becoming a husband,” she snapped.

“Just because I've openly shared my desires for you?” he challenged.

“No. Because you didn't consider the consequences when you tried to destroy me four years ago,” Maya shot back angrily.

Ranveer's expression darkened with recollection.

“How can you expect me to behave like that incident never happened?” she asked. “I don't let my guard down around you Ranveer because whenever I do, I'm reminded that you're the man who sent me into a nightmare.”

Ranveer froze.

“I cannot even imagine what would happen to me had I not run away from that place at the right time. Whatever you did to me is not something I can ever forgive you for,” she wiped the corner of her eyes where tears formed. “The only reason I'm still here and doing this is for our deal. I want nothing more from you, Ranveer.”

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