Page 88
Story: The Deceit
My face flushes as I remember six nights ago, when I’d pulled away from him, claiming I wasn’t in the mood. The memory of his frustrated groan still haunts me in my dreams.
“I’m always in a good mood when I’m working,” I manage to say, though my voice isn’t as steady as I’d like.
His lips twitch in a smirk as he nods slowly. His eyes darken as they make another deliberate journey across my body. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows hard, and when he finally meets my gaze again, my heart skips a beat.
“Is this what you’re wearing for our wedding?”
I lift my chin, trying to keep my composure despite the flutter in my stomach.
“I haven’t decided yet,” I say, my voice steady. “Why? Does it bother you?”
“Yes, it does. I don’t want every man in the courthouse to forget why they’re there. It’s… it’s too revealing for the wedding. So, you’re not wearing it.”
Again, an order!! I arch a brow, my determination returning full force.
“Actually, you know what?” I goad him. “I’m saving outfits like these for after the wedding. To torture you daily, until you stop ordering me all the time.”
Before I can blink, he grabs my wrist and pulls me closer, his breath hot against my face.
“What do you want me to do then?” His voice is tight with frustration. “Do nothing when some other man tries to cross a line with you, just because you don’t see it as crossing a line in your world?”
“Vishnu—” I start, but he cuts me off.
“No, let me finish.” His grip on my wrist loosens but he doesn’t let go. “You think I’m being controlling when I make decisions about us? When I insist on knowing your schedule? When I have concerns about certain people around you?” His jaw clenches. “Everything I do is to protect what’s ours. This relationship. Our future family.”
“Fine. But I’m mature enough to make my own decisions,” I counter, but he shakes his head.
“You’re brilliant at business, Simran. But politics? The vultures who circle around me, waiting for that one weakness to exploit? The people who’d use you to get to me? You know nothing of it.” His other hand comes up to cup my face. “You don’t see the undercurrents. The dangers. When I tell you to avoid certain social circles, it’s not control—it’s self-preservation.”
“And hence, coming to your biggest worry about me making all the decisions for us...” His eyes bore into mine, intense and unyielding. “I don’t think that’s even up for discussion. I am more capable than you to protect us, and if you call that controlling, then so be it.” He takes a deep breath. “Every choice we make affects our future. Where we live, who we associate with, how we present ourselves to the world—one wrong move in my position, and it could destroy everything we’re going to build together.”
His voice drops even lower, each word precise and measured.
“When I tell you to change your plans, it’s because I see the bigger picture. When I ask you to trust my judgement about people, it’s because I’ve seen what happens when you don’t. I’ve spent years in this world, Simran. Years learning which smiles hide daggers and which handshakes come with hooks.”
His thumb traces my cheekbone, the gentle touch at odds with his firm words.
“Yes, I’m controlling, and this control will never slip, Simran. Not for anyone... Not even for you. Because losing control means losing you, and that’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”
I take a step closer, emboldened by the way his jaw clenches.
“But you can’t expect me to act dumb and abide by your decisions all the time, Vishnu. I have a mind of my own. I know whom to trust, whom to keep close, and whom to ignore.” My voice grows stronger with each word. “Thankfully, Zane didn’t let your over-possessive interruption the other day go any further, or I’d have so much more to lose.”
The mention of Zane makes his eyes darken dangerously, but I press on. “And most importantly, you can’t just give me an order and expect me to follow blindly, like you did with our wedding date or when you asked me to clear my schedule for a month to go to India. Your alpha male routine will not work on me all the time, if that’s what you think.”
I poke a finger into his chest to prove my point.
“If I don’t make you lose that infamous control and meet me halfway in this relationship, then I’ll do whatever you say.”
He remains silent, which only encourages me further.
“And as for what I’m wearing for the wedding, I’ll wear whatever pleases me,” I continue. “You can’t make every decision for us. I’ll wear what I want and do what I want, until you give me my equal place in this relationship.”
A muscle jumps in his jaw.
“And just so you know,” I lean in slightly, “a wife has many ways of making her husband agree to her demands.”
His brows arch, challenging me to name them.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88 (Reading here)
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156
- Page 157
- Page 158
- Page 159
- Page 160
- Page 161
- Page 162
- Page 163
- Page 164
- Page 165
- Page 166
- Page 167
- Page 168
- Page 169
- Page 170
- Page 171
- Page 172
- Page 173
- Page 174
- Page 175
- Page 176
- Page 177
- Page 178
- Page 179
- Page 180
- Page 181
- Page 182
- Page 183
- Page 184
- Page 185
- Page 186
- Page 187
- Page 188
- Page 189