Page 25 of Entangled Vows (Destined Diaries #2)

Vikram and Mahika finally stepped into the mansion. And because it was so late, there were no chatty staff to deal with, and no formal introductions to make. That all could wait until morning, when he had the patience for it. For now, he simply needed a moment to breathe.

The cool breeze from the windows carried with it the faint scent of sandalwood incense. The marble floors glowed warmly under the chandeliers, while the distant clatter of the surroundings slowly faded away. Now, it was just him, his brand-new wife, and the tiny menace she refused to leave behind.

“Welcome home.” The words slipped out before he could stop them, and the second they did, he wanted to kick himself. Perfect. Just what he needed… to sound like he actually cared about this whole arrangement. He huffed, fighting back a grimace, while Mahika looked at him silently.

Vikram walked her through the house, moving slowly and calmly, showing her the rooms he knew she’d seen before. But tonight, he was seeing his own house differently… through her eyes. Because now, this home belonged to her too.

They stood in the grand living room, where the high ceilings seemed to stretch endlessly above them, the gilded moulding catching and reflecting the light in dazzling, colourful patterns.

Plush, earth-toned sofas sat around a marble fireplace, while the soft glow of the recessed lights painted warm shadows across the polished floors.

At the heart of the mansion was a sweeping staircase, its carved wooden railings smooth beneath the hand as it led to the upper levels. Overhead, the chandelier cast a warm, golden light that reflected off the pristine surface of the steps.

“The study’s this way,” Vikram said, gesturing towards the dark mahogany doors on their left. He pushed them open to reveal shelves lined with books, files, and folders. A desk was tucked away in the corner. “I’m usually working here when I’m at home.”

Mahika nodded quietly, taking it in.

“Here’s the dining hall. All the formal dining happens here, though I usually prefer the sunroom for breakfast. You’re already familiar with the kitchen and the garden.”

As they reached the upper floor, Vikram gestured stiffly. “We renovated this section last year. The entertainment lounge is over there, and the library is through that arch. The gym is next to it.”

Mahika gave him an unimpressed look. “Grizzly, you do realise I’ve already been here, right? Like, a thousand times. I’m already familiar with the layout.”

Vikram stopped dead in his tracks and turned around with a scowl. “Yeah, I know exactly how often you’ve been here.”

“Why are you showing me around the house like I’m visiting for the first time?”

With every step closer, the faint mix of coffee and rose perfume curled around him until he almost forgot how to breathe. He drew in a breath and instantly regretted how much he wanted more. He closed his eyes briefly to compose himself, and then finally spoke.

“Because you’re not just Mahika anymore.

” His tone was sharp, cold, and edged with jealousy that burned hotter than he intended.

“You’re my fucking wife. You’re not Suraj’s shadow or his childhood sidekick anymore.

Do me a favour and stop acting like this house is some damn stroll down the memory lane of your time with him. ”

Her brows snapped together. “Excuse me?”

Vikram’s jaw tightened, rage rolling off him in waves.

He stepped closer, close enough that his every word landed like a nail in the coffin.

“Don’t you dare act clueless with me, Momo.

I know about your little schoolgirl crush on Suraj, and the way you used to orbit around him like he hung the damn stars.

But that’s done. Do you hear me? It’s done.

This house, this life, this marriage… it’s real, and it’s ours. Yours and mine.”

Her breath hitched, but he didn’t stop. His eyes burned into hers with an intensity that was so much more than anger. “And I’ll make sure you never forget it. Every time you breathe in this space, you’ll know who you belong to now. Not to Suraj, not to the ghosts of yesterday, but to me.”

Mahika’s eyes snapped up to his, her wide with disbelief. “A crush on Suraj?” she said, her voice low and cutting.

A bitter laugh escaped her as she took a slow step forward, invading his space with quiet defiance. Then, with mock sympathy, she lifted her hand and gently patted his cheek, like he was some clueless, overgrown child.

“Oh, Vikram,” she murmured, her voice dripping with condescension. “Of all the delusions spinning in that brilliant head of yours, this one’s actually kind of adorable.”

His eyes darkened, and a spark of desire flickered to life at her touch.

It only fuelled his frustration further.

In one swift, instinctive move, his hand shot up and his fingers curled around her wrist in a tight, possessive grip.

The air between them turned molten, the tension morphing into something far more dangerous.

“I know enough,” he said, his voice colder now. “I’m saying this again. Always remember that now… you’re married to me.”

“Next time you want to drag up my past in a fight, Vikram, at least make sure you’ve got the right man,” Mahika taunted, fury simmering beneath her voice.

He frowned and stepped closer, his eyes steady on hers. “I don’t know what you’re trying to prove. But no matter what game you’re playing, you don’t get to act like the blushing best friend if my brother ever shows up. I won’t be the husband who looks like a third wheel in his own marriage.”

She scoffed, half amused, half livid. “So your brilliant solution is to go full-on dictator? Because God forbid you feel left out?”

“I’m just setting boundaries, sweetheart,” he bit out, his voice low and firm. “You think it’s normal to act like nothing’s changed when everything has? You’re my wife now. That means something. That comes with certain rules.”

Mahika’s tone dipped, laced with challenge. “And what if I don’t like your rules, husband?”

“Then I’ll turn every punishment into a pleasure you’ll beg for again and again,” he said, his voice deadly soft with a promise that made her pulse stutter.

“If you want someone who follows directions, you married the wrong woman. I don’t even listen to Google Maps.”

He wanted to grab her and shut that oversmart mouth with a punishing kiss. The way she provoked him was reckless, and it lit a dangerous spark in his veins.

Vikram rubbed his jaw, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest. He stepped in, close enough to feel her breath hitch.

“So defiant… so rebellious,” he murmured, his gaze flicking to her lips. “Cute.” He shook his head, a slow exhale escaping him. “But you’ll come around, wifey. Sooner or later.”

Mahika spoke sharply. “Come around to what? To forgetting who I am, or erasing my life before this? You can’t just tie a mangalsutra around my neck and expect me to become someone I’m not.”

Regret flickered beneath the possessive edge in his gaze as he leaned closer, drawn to the fire in her eyes and the storm of emotion behind them. God, she was beautiful, even when she hated him.

“No, Momo,” he said in that deep, commanding baritone. “I don’t want to erase who you were. I want you to remember who you are now. And that version of you doesn’t get to be starry-eyed for any other man, least of all my brother.”

Mahika snapped, her eyes blazing with fury.

“I’m your wife. Something you’ve reminded me a gazillion times already.

So maybe try trusting me a little, you arrogant ass.

” She stepped closer, her chin lifted up in defiance.

“If you think you can bully me into cutting off the people I care about, then you’re straight-up delusional. ”

Vikram practically growled. “Call me whatever the hell you want. I don’t care. You’re mine. And I don’t share.”

“Why the fuck are you suddenly acting like some jealous, territorial boyfriend? You don’t even like me. You’ve always hated me, Grizzly,” she shot back.

His fingers caressed her chin, his breath ghosting over her lips, making it impossible to tell if the tension between them was fury or foreplay.

“You think I am jealous?” His voice was low, mocking. “Please. Don’t flatter yourself. And hate is too weak a word. I just don’t like to complicate things, especially when they’re mine.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You and your arrogant sense of ownership. Pathetic.”

“Pathetic is… thinking you have any say in this,” Vikram gritted out, leaving no room for argument.

He stepped back, inhaling sharply as if trying to regain control. Then, without another word, he stormed down the corridor, his footsteps echoing with frustration, silently signalling her to follow.

Shit! Something about her always seemed to strip away his basic manners.

One look from those fire-lit eyes, and logic went straight to hell, replaced by instincts he refused to name.

Running a hand through his hair, he let out a harsh exhale, mentally cursing himself.

It was day one, and he was already losing it.

Without looking back, he yanked open the oak door.

“This is our room,” he bit out, voice clipped and cold. “You’d better get used to it.”

∞∞∞

Mahika stood frozen, her shock quickly flaring into anger.

She couldn’t believe she was married to a man so unpredictable and emotionally barricaded.

He went hot and cold so often that she was getting emotional whiplash.

Hadn’t he been a jerk just a minute ago?

And now here he was, playing the gracious host, inviting her into their bedroom?

Her chest rose and fell unevenly, a mix of frustration and disbelief warring inside her.

Our room?

How could he not see it? Nothing about this marriage felt like theirs. And yet, the way he’d said it, in that terse, cold, and possessive way, made her want to scream in frustration.