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“The wedding, of course! You and Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Brooding getting married in two weeks! I mean, hello?” Her eyes sparkle with excitement.

My heart stops.

“How did you...?”

“Peter told everyone! The whole circle knows. We’ve been drowning in bouquets and gifts since yesterday.” She gestures to my office, where I can already see an explosion of flowers.

My mind races to that day—Vishnu’s jealous outburst, his territorial claim in front of Peter. Of course, Peter would spread the news. I close my eyes briefly, remembering how Vishnu’s eyes had blazed with possessiveness when he thought Peter was flirting with me. I should have known Vishnu’s public claim would come back to bite me, and here it is—spreading like wildfire. All because he couldn’t keep his jealousy in check.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to keep my composure.

“The gifts...” Julie’s voice brings me back to the present. “Should we open them now, or...?”

“Later,” I manage to reply, my mind still elsewhere. “Remind me to thank everyone, though.” I head toward my cabin, Julie trailing behind with her tablet, rattling off today’s schedule.

The guards—Abhay and his team—take their positions outside my office. I haven’t seen Vishnu since he left this morning to drop his father at the airport. The thought of him makes my stomach flutter inexplicably, especially recalling how Vishnu’s grip had tightened around my hand when his father insisted he should forgive me and that we should move on to the next chapter of our lives. I don’t know if he would do that so easily, and even if he did, would it be only because his father said so? I shake my head. There’s no time for such thoughts right now.

“Get the team ready for a meeting in twenty minutes,” I tell Julie, trying to focus on my work. “We need to discuss the new projects.”

She nods but lingers at the door, biting her lip mischievously. “Just one question...”

“Hmm?” I begin booting up my laptop, not bothering to look up.

“Where did you find that handsome hunk? That species seems rare—hot, virile, and broody, with a body that could melt a nun’s resolve...”

Heat rushes to my face. Julie might be my assistant, but over the years, she’s also become a close friend. Still, hearing her describe Vishnu like that stirs something possessive in my chest. Because she’s right—he is all those things and more. Every inch of that magnificent body, that complex heart, that brilliant mind... they’re mine. Or they will be, officially, in two weeks.

“Seriously, he’s like an action hero come to life,” she adds, sighing dramatically. “Do you even realise the envy you’re about to unleash when he puts a ring on your finger?”

My cheeks burn hotter as Julie’s words hit me, triggering a flood of memories—of Vishnu’s intense gaze, his broad shoulders, his rough hands, his hot mouth on my skin, and his maddening ability to take charge. But I snap myself out of it.

“Excuse me?” I manage to squeak out.

Julie giggles. “I’m just saying. You’re one lucky woman. You should be proud of landing someone like him—a total eye candy.”

“Oh, stop it,” I retort. The blush deepens across my cheeks. “Get out before I fire you for talking about my fiancé like that!” I try to sound stern but fail miserably.

Her laughter echoes as she leaves, but I freeze, processing my own words. Did I just say‘fiancé’? When did I start thinking of him that way?

My mind and heart are still at war—wanting more time, craving his forgiveness, hoping for a fresh start before we get married. But my body... my body remembers. It remembers and still craves for the heat of his touch. One look from those dark eyes is all it takes to transport me back to that night and remind me why I fell so hard in the first place.

The woman I used to be—the Simran who flirted shamelessly, who was confident and carefree—is battling with the woman I’ve become. Yet, some things never change, I think absently, touching my still warm cheeks. And maybe, just maybe, that’s not such a bad thing after all.

**************

Just then, Claire sends me a photo on my WhatsApp of Vishnu feeding Veer his meal, and it completely shifts my focus. I can’t stop admiring the man who has taken up the role of a father so easily. Additionally, Vishnu in black always hits different. And that’s what he’s wearing today—a simple black t-shirt and sky-blue rugged denims clinging to his sexy bottom!

Giving those butterflies in my stomach a little break, I step out of my cabin at noon, glancing at my watch as I gather my things to leave with my team for the client meeting. It’s a high-stakes discussion, one that could significantly boost our reputation if handled well.

As I walk toward the exit, Abhay steps in front of me like a human wall, his expression already telling me something’s wrong.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“To meet a client,” I reply, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.

“This wasn’t on today’s agenda,” he says firmly. “It hasn’t been approved by Vishnu.”

“Come on, Abhay,” I say, trying to keep my frustration in check. “It’s a last-minute change. The client knows I wasn’t initially supposed to come—it was just going to be my team. But I think it’ll leave a better impression if I attend personally.”