Page 199 of One Hellish Desire

“You were so wrong. The truth is, Maahi has bound us all together so well that no outside force can separate us anymore. We are like one big happy family.”

My eyes turn moist, knowing her thoughts. I never realized Aunty could take my side and praise me for uniting the family. I really didn’t do anything. It was they who got the taste of their own medicine, and that realization drew them here.

“Anyways, we are getting late.” Aunty checks her watch. “The family will be waiting for dinner. You check your schedule and let me know when you can come for dinner. Alright? Goodnight. Let’s go, Maahi.”

She ushers me out of the spa, and I happily follow.

“I can’t believe you did that.” I smile. “You took my side? Over Sabrina?”

“I didn’t take any side. I just chose my family.” She pats my cheek. “And don’t worry about the dinner invite. As far as I know Sabrina, after hearing all this, she will never think of accepting the invitation. Even if she does, we will host her like any other guest. You don’t have to worry.”

This woman really surprises me like her son does. All the time!

VIKRAM

It’s been a long night, and I’ve loved every bit of it, adoring my wife, who surprised me by wearing the nightwear my mother selected for her. They’re sexy enough for Maahi to wear only within the four walls of our bedroom, and only for my eyes, not the outside world. She looks cute, ravishing, and sexy in every attire she picks. When I told her that last night, she said it's the love I have for her that makes her look so adorable. Whatever it is, I’m completely in love with this woman.

I open my eyes to the feeling of my wife’s lips on my cheek. Didn’t realize I was dozing while working in the study room. She curls her arms around my neck from behind, placing her chin on my shoulder.

“Did I disturb you?” she asks.

Gripping her wrists, I pull her around and seat her on my lap. Once she’s comfortable, I pull her close. Her gaze narrows as she reads my sullen mood.

“Something is bothering you.”

That’s the specialty of my wife. She knows everything about me these days—what I feel, what I’m going through, when I’m happy, when I’m in my worst mood. Everything.

“There’s something I need to tell you that I haven’t.”

She frowns, looking worried. “What? What haven’t you told me?”

“Something very close to my heart. I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t tell you now.”

Her eyes widen with fear as she grips my arm.

“It’s something that could bring an enormous change in our relationship.”

Maahi swallows. “You’re scaring me, Vikram.”

Her eyes are on the verge of tearing, so I don’t make her wait too long. I pull her close, so close that our noses touch.

“The thing I’ve never told you and want you to know is that—I love you, Maahi Singh Grover.”

She stiffens for a moment, then pulls away to look into my eyes. She’s shocked, confused, and utterly frustrated that I scared her so much just to confess these three words. But it’s a huge thing for me. I’ve never confessed these magical words to my wife before, and hereon, I promise to tell her every day, uncountable times.

“What?” she gasps.

“I love you,” I repeat with a soft grin, seeing her mood change.

Her smile is back. She strokes my stubble and places a warm kiss on my nose. I want her to kiss me properly, but not until I hear her response to my confession.

“That’s a serious confession,” she bites her lower lip. “But this is not the first time you’ve told me you love me.”

Her reply baffles me. I don’t remember saying it before. Maahi cups my face.

“You’ve told me this every night in your sleep when you cuddle me.”

Have I? Why don’t I remember.

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