“Do you know what you’ve done?” My voice lowered, but it was more dangerous now. “You didn’t just ruin my reputation. You ruined my father’s. You dragged my family name through the dirt.”
Her eyes finally lifted to meet mine. There was something in them.
Hurt?
No. That had to be an act too. “Look at me when I’m talking to you,” I barked, she flinched.
Fuck!
She was already looking and for a split second, something inside me wavered. Because the fear in her eyes didn’t look fake.
It looked real.
_______
Chapter 8
KAVYA
He didn't know, he would never know how guilty, how embarrassed I was feeling while looking into his eyes. He was seeing me like I was a criminal, like I enjoyed ruining his life. I couldn't hold those eyes. I couldn't endure so much hatred from him.
“I …” I swallowed hard, trying to search for the right words. I was well aware of how he was feeling about me. “I never meant to…”
But the lie died on my tongue because I had meant to. Not the pain. Not the hatred. Not the way he looked at me now, like I was something rotten, something beneath him. But I had still walked into his life knowing I would destroy it.
He didn’t interrupt me, didn’t shout as he just stood there, staring as if daring me to defend myself. As if daring me to prove him wrong.
And I couldn’t.
My fingers trembled at my sides and my throat burned with everything I wanted to say but couldn’t. I wanted to tell him the truth. I wanted to tell him that none of this was for greed, that every step I took was forced, under threats I could never explain.
I wanted to tell him that I hated myself more than he ever could. But I had made a promise. And promises like mine didn’t come with mercy.
His jaw tightened when my silence stretched too long. Something inside his eyes shifted then no confusion, acceptance that I was exactly what he believed.
Exactly what everyone believed.
A selfish, manipulative woman who had trapped him. His lip curled slightly, disgust flickering across his face, and that was when he spoke.
“You’re fucking vile, Mrs. Chauhan,” he taunted, dragging out the last word in a way that made his jaw twist even harder. His eyes burned like molten coal, every muscle in his body locked with fury. He looked ready to tear me apart at any moment, ready to skin me, kill me,and destroy me.
God! Maybe I deserved it. I was using him. I was using my own husband for my benefit.
“I’m more than vile,” I said with a sad smile, though my chest felt tight. “You’ll find out soon. I’m more than everything, Saurav… ”
“Don’t you dare,” he warned, stepping closer, his voice low and lethal. “Don’t you dare take my name with your filthy mouth.” His eyes, those eyes I once adored, glowered into mine. “You’re a sin. My sin. And also… ” He leaned in, every word slicing into me, “ …your family’s. Your family should have killed you the day you were born, because they don’t know what price they still have to pay for having you as their daughter. I really pity your parents.”
I swallowed hard as my chin trembled, but I refused to look away.
He was saying this because he didn’t know. He didn’t know what my family truly was. He had no idea how much I was already paying just to be their daughter.
I had traded Saurav Chauhan, my husband, for them.
I had traded my love for them.
“You don’t have to pity them,” I said slowly, forcing the words past the ache in my throat. “They’re glad they have me.”
“God, you’re so fucking disgusting!” Saurav spat, turning away sharply. He ran a hand through his hair, breathing hard, like he was trying to control a volcano on the verge of eruption. “Your father was right. Whatever you touch becomes a curse. I wish I could replay history and erase you. I never should have invited you that day.”