Page 68 of Born in Ruin

Mayukhi sank into her seat, watching her staff pack up and leave for the day. She stayed where she was as the office shut down around her, everyone leaving except for Shawn who walked in to check on her.

“We’re done.” He leaned against the doorjamb. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”

Mayukhi shook her head. “I need a little more time. You go ahead. I’ll lock up.”

“Are you sure? It’s already nine at night, Yukhi.”

“I’m sure. You did good on the launch. I appreciate it.”

He smiled his thanks but didn’t move.

“Goodnight Shawn.”

He hesitated a second longer before accepting defeat. “Goodnight Yukhi.”

She heard his footsteps receding, the quiet enveloping the space around her. She stared at her empty ring finger. She sat in the dark, her broken heart aching in her chest, her eyes burning with the force of unshed tears, and her hand trembling with the force of holding it all back.

It had never been hers. None of it had been real. This was real. Her sitting in the dark alone. This was her reality. The sooner she stopped wishing for more, the sooner her heart could heal.

She forced herself to her feet, wiping the stray tears that had escaped her ferocious control. She walked over to her cabin and grabbed her handbag, turning off lights as she went. She locked up the office, doublechecking to make sure everything was secure. She stepped out on to the deserted landing, her heels clicking against the marble as she walked towards the elevator.

She thought she heard a sound behind her and turned sharply but there was no one there. The brightly lit corridor stretched out endlessly, extending into darkness in the distance. There was no one in sight. Shaking her head at her own paranoia, she entered the elevator the minute the doors opened, grateful to see it was empty.

She was all peopled out for the day. Empty was perfect. Mayukhi glanced at herempty, ringless finger, familiar tears stinging her eyes. Dammit, not again!

THIRTY-SEVEN

Ishaan

Ishaan shot his cuffs as he looked at himself in the mirror. He was wearing his first M-zire. He’d ordered the custom made suit from Mayukhi’s label a few weeks ago, spending hours with Shawn to get it done right. He’d been planning to surprise Mayukhi by wearing it on their next date but that date had never come to pass. He’d never looked better and she would never see him in it.

The pain of missing her was uniquely double edged – both sweet and agonising. And he didn’t know how much longer he could go without seeing her. Even if it was just to give her the opportunity to spit in his face.

The doorbell rang, startling him from his maudlin thoughts. He glanced at his watch. It was probably Virat’s team, here to get him set up for the night ahead.

“We can set up in-“ The rest of his words died on his lips as he saw who was standing on his doorstep. He didn’t say a word as he stepped aside, allowing Mayukhi’s father to enter his flat.

“The penthouse. Nice.” Her father sniffed disparagingly, looking around and taking in every inch of Ishaan’s home.

“Did you need something?” Ishaan asked, acutely aware that this was the father of the woman he was insanely in love with. “I had all the relevant paperwork sent over. I don’t think anything was missed.”

“It wasn’t.” The older man turned to face him, one hand searching his pant pocket for something. He pulled whatever it was out, his fist closing around it so Ishaan couldn’t see what it was. “I have something to return to you too.”

He held his hand out, palm up. Ishaan looked at the diamond ring sitting in the middle of that fleshy palm and what was left of his heart splintered.

“I don’t want it.” His voice was a cold blade.

“She doesn’t want it either,” Shantanu Chatterjee said, putting it down on the side table beside him when Ishaan didn’t reach for it.

Ishaan stared at it, the diamond winking at him accusingly.

Make it a round, brilliant cut solitaire and nothing less than ten carats please. Anything other than that is just embarrassing.

Her voice whispered in his ear, making his chest tighten with need. Desperate, devastating need. Was it possible to die from heartbreak? He guessed he was about to find out.

“I’m going to leave now.” Chatterjee moved towards the door.

“Is she okay?” Ishaan couldn’t hold the question back, no matter hard he tried.

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