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“Jhanvi, kill the suspense, please.”

That breaks my reverie and I tell her how Aarav found out about the device Mohit had given me to hack Aarav’s business secrets. I tell her everything.

“Oh my God. How did he find out? I mean, it’s impossible he could connect the loss of his deal with you.”

I agree. There was no way he could find that unless he thought of randomly checking my stuff to see if I was plotting anything against him.

“I am done with this, Jaya. I don’t want to think about Aarav or Mohit. You are right. Let’s go back to London. I will be far happier there than staying here with these men.”

She smiles and nods in agreement. Now I have two things to do before I actually depart from here – talking to Daadi about Mohit’s treason and letting Aarav know I didn’t try to commit suicide because I don’t want him to feel guilty for something he never did.

CHAPTER 25

Aarav

Next Morning

It wasn’t Jhanvi who revealed our quotes for the deals with the Sinhas’, to Mohit, but one of my close employees who worked on this project. Mohit though had given a device for Jhanvi to fix in my study room, she hadn’t done it and probably Mohit doubted she would. That’s why he had kept his backup ready. He bribed my employee to leak the quotes and once that was out, he quoted less than us and bagged the deal. I don’t care about that anymore, but I am guilty of blaming Jhanvi unnecessarily. Wish I had found out the real culprit before lashing at my wife in Mussourie.

Aman is in my cabin to drop the file I had asked him to, but the way he stares at me, he didn’t expect me to be here.

“What are you doing here?” Aman asks, striding to my desk.

“Working.”

He frowns and takes a seat opposite me.

“You met Jhanvi?”

I wish we could avoid having this conversation, but with Aman, I can’t hide things for long. Ever since Jhanvi regained consciousness yesterday evening, I didn’t see her again. I have my reasons. She already tried to end her life because of me. I didn’t want to sour her mood or do anything which could make her feel terrible. But that didn’t refrain me from taking care of her and doing things that can bring a smile back on her face. I kept an eye on her diet through the nurse, asked the chefs to cook her favorite meals, and also ensured she took her medicines on time. Jaya was full time with Jhanvi, which I didn’t mind considering they are best friends, so Jhanvi will be happier to spend time with her instead of anyone else. Today morning, before she woke up, I decorated her room with roses, yellow ones, and almost fifty teddy bears of all sizes. I know she loves them.

“I am speaking to you,” Aman pokes me again, which reminds me I have to check the camera feed of my mansion, hoping Jhanvi is in the living room. I haven’t seen her since yesterday and it’s stabbing my heart.

I open the app on my laptop and fortunately, find her and Jaya in the living room. As usual, the chatterbox Jaya is constantly talking, which brings a smile to Jhanvi’s face. She’s wearing a white kurta and salwar. I don’t like these dull colors on her, but if she’s comfortable in them, I have no right to point that out.

“Are you smiling?” Aman leans back in his chair, gazing at me.

I shut the feed and sprawl back on my chair.

“What will you take to stop asking me these questions?”

“I am serious, Aarav. What are you doing here when you should be with Jhanvi? Or is it that since she deceived you, you have no more interest in continuing this marriage with her.”

My jaw hardens at that thought.

“I know she sided with Mohit to know my business plans and though she could never implement it, it’s hard for me to process. But I did more to her than all that, Aman. Don’t you see this? She tried to end her life because of me.”

“Did she tell you that?” Aman interrupts. “How would you know why she took that step unless you speak to her openly?”

“Good suggestion, but I am not taking it. I don’t want to trouble her.”

“You troubled her so far. Now I’m asking you to mend your faults.”

Why are we even having this conversation?

“You should speak to her openly and come clean before she gives you an ultimatum you are not prepared for.”

Aman’s warning is solid and God knows I’m scared. What warning is he talking about? I don’t have to ask because Aman reads my mind.

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