Page 22 of Entangled Vows (Destined Diaries #2)

Mahika’s eyes flashed, her voice cutting through the air sharply.

“I don’t need anyone to save me. I’m not some damsel in distress.

So just… stop it.” Her chin lifted stubbornly, though her tears betrayed her.

“What I can’t believe is… how could Dad do this?

How could he gamble everything away like that?

” She shook her head, holding herself together, determined not to fall apart.

Uday exhaled slowly and looked at all of them. Then, he pinned Mahika with a sympathetic look. “Mahika, your father gambled recklessly, yes. He drowned in debt, yes. But when it came to the one thing he could still protect… he chose you.”

He then turned to Vikram. “And you, Vikram, your father silently shouldered Om’s burdens.

He was dragged into a mess he never asked for, yet he carried it anyway.

That will, this merger, this marriage clause…

I don’t think it was just business. It was their last effort to protect their children, their final act of love…

even if it came in the most twisted form. ”

Mohit leaned forward, torn between anger and grief. “So, we just accept this and move on?”

“Absolutely,” Uday said firmly. “Yes, the imbalance of shares exists, but it’s a done deal now. It doesn’t change the work ahead, or the responsibility you both have to take this company to the top.”

Uday pushed back his chair. “The board expects results. You two need to get your acts together. This is not about feelings. It’s business.” His gaze locked with Vikram. “Call me if you need anything. I know the past few months have been hard.”

“Sure,” Vikram said.

Uday nodded and walked out, leaving a heavy hush inside the room.

Mahika stayed frozen, her mind still reeling. Mohit exhaled slowly, unclenching his fists, though anger still shone in his eyes.

Vikram got up as if nothing earth-shattering had been revealed mere minutes ago, and casually adjusted his jacket. “C’mon, Mohit. Meeting in thirty minutes.”

Her gaze followed him as he strode out. Mohit rose slowly, placing a brief, brotherly hand on her shoulder before walking out.

At last, she was alone. Mahika sank into the chair, trying to process the truth bombs that had just landed at her. Outside, the world went on like nothing had changed, but inside, she knew nothing would ever feel the same again.

∞∞∞

The corridor was quiet, the hum of the air conditioning and the faint chatter of staff fading behind them. Vikram walked beside Mohit, his long strides eating up the distance to his cabin. He looked at his childhood friend and felt the tension radiating off him like a live wire.

“I didn’t know,” Mohit blurted.

Vikram paused mid-step, his gaze locking onto Mohit. “About?” His tone was calm, but there was an edge underneath.

Mohit ran a hand through his hair, frustration and guilt etched across his face. “About Dad… his gambling, his problems. And Mahika… Fuck, her safety could be at risk. I’m her brother. I’m supposed to protect her. She’s my responsibility.”

Vikram’s jaw tightened. “Was.”

Mohit frowned. “What?”

“She was your responsibility,” Vikram said, his voice low and steely. “She’s my wife now. She’s my responsibility. That’s exactly why the marriage stipulation exists... to protect her and the business. She’s safe with me.”

Mohit exhaled, nodding slowly, trying to absorb the intensity of Vikram’s confidence. “I hope you’re right…”

“I’m always right,” Vikram said, giving Mohit’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Mohit smirked, shaking his head. “Yeah… for once, I like your arrogance.”

Vikram smirked back. “Go inside. I’ll meet you in a minute. I need to make a quick call.”

“Sure. Don’t take too long.” Mohit walked away, leaving Vikram alone.

Vikram pulled out his phone and dialled, waiting for the line to connect.

“Didn’t think you’d miss me in just two hours,” Adil’s voice teased through the speaker.

“Adi…” Vikram paused, thinking about what he wanted from his friend.

There was a brief silence before Adil’s tone grew serious. “What happened?”

“I need a favour,” Vikram said in a calm, measured voice laced with lethal certainty.

∞∞∞

After the board meeting, Mahika stepped out of the elevator and offered a polite smile to the man at the security desk as she made her way through the lobby of the JK group.

Her workday was officially over, along with the awkward moment she had been dreading: telling her team about her marriage to Vikram.

Naturally, they had been surprised, but they recovered quickly enough to offer their congratulations.

By the time she pushed through the glass doors, it was already evening.

Long shadows stretched across the quiet streets, and the air carried the scent of damp earth and pine, the aftermath of a light drizzle in the hills earlier.

Normally, that crisp, woodsy scent calmed her.

But today, it did nothing to ease the slow burn of frustration simmering inside her.

She had barely stepped onto the pavement when she spotted Vikram’s driver, Max. He stood beside the sleek black car, his posture straight, already holding the door open for her.

Of course. Vikram must’ve told him to wait.

She could still hear his authoritative voice from that morning. ‘Use Max. Take the car. It’s yours now.’

For a fleeting second, she considered walking right past the car, maybe even calling her driver or booking a cab just to annoy him.

But she couldn’t. This wasn’t only about her.

Max worked for Vikram, and if she pulled a stunt like that, it wouldn’t be her little act of rebellion that took the hit; it would be Max’s job. And she couldn’t let that happen.

With a tired sigh, she slid into the car. Almost instantly, her phone vibrated in her hand, the screen lighting up with a flurry of messages.

“How was your day, ma’am?” Max asked politely.

“It was good, thanks. Hope yours was good too,” she replied breezily, checking her messages.

“Absolutely.” Max gave a polite nod before starting the car.

Just then, a new notification popped up from Ishika.

Ishi: WTF, Mahi?! Why are there movers in our living room packing your stuff like they’re launching you to Jupiter?

Mahika blinked, stunned, her fingers flying over the screen.

Mahi: Wait, what? I didn’t send anyone.

Ishi: Well, someone did. And I’m guessing it’s that broody, bossy Indian version of Massimo who barged in this morning like he owns you. One of them mentioned a Mr. Khurana.

Mahi: Oh my god. Let me check with him. I’m on my way. Do we still have ice cream?

Ishi: Of course. Emergency stash is prepped and ready. Get here fast before I eat your share out of spite.

Mahika let out a long breath, a smile tugging at her lips as she read Ishika’s message. She immediately messaged Vikram.

Mahika: Did you seriously send movers to my place?

Vikram: You’re welcome.

Mahika: That wasn’t a thank you. That was a what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-you.

Vikram: Pretty sure the clause said we live together. I’m just making sure we follow the rules.

Mahika: By packing up my life without asking?

Vikram: I figured you’d stall. So, I planned accordingly.

Mahika: You planned my relocation like a business deal?

Vikram: Well, you are the most complicated merger I’ve ever handled.

Mahika: Try that line again when your entire wardrobe is swapped with unicorn colours.

Vikram: You wouldn’t dare.

Mahika: Watch me.

Vikram: You’re adorable when you threaten me, Momo.

Mahika: And you’re infuriating when you control me, Grizzly.

Vikram: Can’t wait to see that fire in person.

Mahika: I am not moving in today.

Vikram: Why?

Mahika: I need time to adjust. To this. To us.

Vikram: We don’t have the luxury of time. We can’t let Excel Group think this is a sham.

Mahika: I’m not asking for forever. Just one night.

Vikram: Ok. One night. Then you come home tomorrow. We can’t be seen living different lives if we have to convince everyone we are happily married.

Mahika: Don’t call it home.

Vikram: It is home.

Mahika: Not mine.

Vikram: Tomorrow, you’re coming home with me. Call it what you want. It won’t change the truth.

Mahika: You really think saying it like that will make me feel any less trapped?

Vikram: No. But it’ll remind you exactly who you’re married to.

She leaned back, her head hitting the seat with a dramatic thud. Three hundred and sixty-five days. An entire year of faking it, of walking on eggshells, and of trying not to fall for the man who had already gotten under her skin. Honestly, she was this close to losing her sanity.

But right now, she had more important things to worry about than Vikram Khurana and his intensity. It was Ishika and her reaction to the marriage. She had a sinking feeling her best friend might kill her for making the dumbest life choice ever.