“How can you be so sure?”
“Because he was my best friend,” Abhiraj smiled sadly. “That bastard was my brother. Once.” He laughed, the sound laced with the pain of those memories.
“I know.”
He didn't seem surprised. “You’re the only woman he ever beat the hell out of me for.”
“Why are you taking his side? Why are you trying to prove he wasn't a complete ass to me?”
“Because… ” He swallowed hard. “I don't want you to leave him.”
Fresh tears broke free. “I can’t stay, Abhiraj. I can’t.” I started to sob. “He’s so blinded by hate that he can’t see what he’s become... or what he’s done to me.”
“He just lost his father,” he whispered.
“I lost my sister, Abhiraj! I lost my father-in-law, too. I’ve lost twice as much as him!” I shouted. “If only he hadn't ignored my calls. If only he hadn't cut off the cards. If he had believed me just once, my sister would still be here. With me. I promised her I would save her. She was my only family, and now she's …”
Abhiraj quickly wrapped his strong arms around me. I squeezed his shirt, burying my face in his chest. I hated to admit how much I had longed for this comfort. I had missed my friend.He rubbed my back, trying to soothe the ache. Eventually, he handed me a small bottle of water. I took a drink and tried to settle into the car seat.
“I’m sorry,” Abhiraj said, his voice full of regret.
“Why are you apologizing? It wasn't your fault.”
“I wasn't there when you needed me most.”
“Can we just change the subject?”
_________
Chapter 40
KAVYA
The clock on the wall mocked me: 9:40 PM. I stepped into the foyer, my breath hitching as I saw Saurav. He wasn't in bed; he was sitting on the sofa, a glass of amber liquid clutched in his hand. The sharp, medicinal scent of alcohol hung heavy in the air.
“Where have you been?” he asked. His voice was low, laced with a quiet, dangerous edge that made the hair on my arms stand up.
“I told you, I was at Noor’s...” I licked my dry lips, my heart hammering against my ribs. I tried to move past him toward the stairs, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere, but his voice stopped me cold.
“Are you going to lie to me again, Kavya?”
I froze. My fingers trembled against the leather strap of my handbag. I didn't hear him move, but I felt the heat of his presence as he approached. He stopped just inches behind me. I could feel his warm breath on my shoulder, and my heart raced so fast I feared I might actually faint.
“I recognize his cologne,” he whispered. Suddenly, he grabbed the back of my neck and spun me around. His face was inches from mine, his eyes dark and clouded with rage. “Tell me the truth right now. Don’t make me lose my temper.”
“What is wrong with you?” I gasped, bracing my hands against his chest to push him away. It was useless; he was triple my strength, an immovable wall of muscle and resentment.
“Were you with Abhiraj?” he demanded. His eyes burned like molten lava, searing into mine.
“Let go of me!” I fought against his grip, my voice rising in a mix of fear and defiance.
He released my neck only to seize my forearm in a crushing grip. “Answer me!” he bellowed. The sheer volume of his shout made me go still. It was the same feral roar he used to aim at his father, the sound of a man who had reached his breaking point.
“Yes!” I snapped, the adrenaline finally overriding my fear. I wrenched my arm free and glared at him. “Yes, I was with him, Saurav. I’ve been with him for two fucking hours. Are you happy now? Are you going to ask if we slept together? Go ahead, assume whatever you want. I’m done trying to convince a man who refuses to believe me.”
His jaw clenched so hard I thought his teeth might crack. He lunged forward, pulling me flush against him. I could feel his heartbeat thundering through his t-shirt, even more frantic than my own.
“You will stay away from him,” he hissed.