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He knew how she would feel the moment she was announced as his wife to the world. She would feel trapped and furious.

A small, dark smile twisted his mouth.

CHAPTER 23

The helicopter landed in front of the Devara Palace just as sun set on the hilltop. Sanjana stepped out, taking in the stunning beauty surrounding her. The cool evening air carried the faint scent of jasmine from the palace gardens as she crossed the courtyard and entered through the main doors.

Inside, Lalita and Kumari were waiting. They bowed deeply.

“Maharani,” Lalita said softly, “you are expected to join the Maharaja for dinner in the private dining suite.”

Sanjana’s jaw tightened. Although Lalita said she was expected, she knew Ram has commanded her to join him for dinner. Anger simmered at his highhandedness, but she only gave a small nod.

“Thank you for letting me know, Lalita,” she said, and continued walking.

Later, in the master suite, she stripped off her hospital clothes and stood beneath the warm shower, hoping the water would wash away the fatigue and also the thoughts of the man who now ruled every corner of her life.

But later, even as she dressed in an intricately embroidered cotton gown from the new wardrobe, her nerves fluttered as she made her way down to the dining suite.

The heavy double doors opened into a room gleaming with silver platters, brass dishes, and crystal glasses. Palace staff moved quietly around the table, setting food before slipping away with graceful bows.

Ram sat at the far end, posture relaxed yet commanding as he spoke to an elderly woman dressed in the palace uniform. His gaze followed Sanjana as she crossed the room and took her seat opposite him.

For a while, only the faint clink of cutlery filled the air. Sanjana ate without glancing at him. But his presence pressed against her like a physical thing, impossible to ignore. Her lips tingled with the memory of the previous night’s kiss.

When the last dish was placed, the palace staff bowed and left, closing the doors behind them.

Silence fell, thick and charged.

Ram’s voice finally cut through it. “In two weeks, there’s an event at the Devara Palace. My mother will announce you as my wife.”

Sanjana’s heart jerked, and her eyes flew up to his face.

“Two weeks?” she said. “B-but that’s too soon!”

She didn’t want the news made public. She wanted more time to convince him to break the contract.

“It isn’t soon,” he replied coolly. “Tomorrow is the hospital board meeting. You will be announced as the Devara Trust liaison, which will cause speculation among the staff. A formal announcement will stop all speculation.”

Sanjana didn’t know what to say. She didn’t care about speculation or rumors, but she knew the royal family and the Trust board did.

She felt the trap closing.

Ram’s eyes studied her closely, dark and unflinching, as though he knew she was trapped. His mouth curved faintly.

She knew he enjoyed watching her squirm and feel trapped. But she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

But as their eyes locked, heat prickled across her skin, and her body betrayed her even as anger burned in her chest.

She forced her tone steady. “I need to prepare notes for tomorrow’s board meeting.”

It was a shield, an excuse for distance.

Ram leaned back in his chair, gaze never leaving her. He said nothing.

Sanjana got up with her heart pounding and walked away.

One way or another, she would find her freedom. Before the announcement event in two weeks, she would ensure she was no longer Ram Devara’s wife.