Page 100 of Entangled Vows

“Good-bye.” Chuckling, Vikram deliberately ended the call and strolled towards the kitchen.

And there she was. Perched on the counter in that sheer white dress, her bare legs swinging in sync with something she was humming. She was sipping water straight from the bottle.

He raised an eyebrow. “We have glasses, you know.”

She just shrugged. “This was easier.”

He stepped between her knees, his hands resting on her hips.

“You know what’s even easier?”

“No, but I have a feeling you’re about to enlighten me.”

He grinned, ready with a comeback, but then her phone buzzed on the counter beside her. She glanced at the screen, and everything about her changed. The playfulness disappeared from her face, and her spine went rigid.

“Who is it?” he asked.

“It’s… Suraj,” she said softly. “He… finally replied to my messages.”

Vikram stilled, his jaw tightening. Every instinct screamed at him to grab her phone and delete those messages. He hated that Suraj still had that kind of access to her. That he was still herbest friend, still a sore spot he couldn’t ignore.

“How did he get your new number?”

“He probably got it from Ishika.” Mahika spoke as she typed a text.

“Where is he?” he asked, his voice flat as Mahika scrolled through the texts.

“I don’t know,” she replied, glancing up. “He says he’s sorry.”

Vikram’s gaze darkened, his mood spiralling. One message from his brother had done it.

Mahika studied his face. “Why do you go completely stone-faced every time his name comes up?”

“I don’t.” Vikram looked away. “Let’s go finish that episode. Come.” He reached for her hand.

She didn’t move. “Don’t deflect, Vikram. What’s the real problem with Suraj?” Her fingers curled around his forearm, tugging him in front of her. “I’ve told you that I have never felt anything for him beyond friendship. You trust me, don’t you?”

He nodded slowly. “Of course, I trust you. It’s not about that. It’s just… complicated.”

The words were quiet and clipped. His gaze shifted again, unable to stay focused on hers, afraid she’d see how broken he was. The anger simmered just beneath the surface. Suraj had run off while he’d stayed here, watching his father die, shouldering the empire, suffocating under responsibility.

Mahika gave his hand a squeeze. “Try me, Vicky. Tell me, why do you hate my best friend?”

Vikram exhaled, his chest tight with tension. It was hard to explain how he felt about Suraj. He doubted anyone would really understand. Honestly, he barely understood it himself. Love and resentment. Brotherhood and betrayal. All tangled up in knots, he couldn’t untangle.

“Okay,” he whispered. “We should sit down first.”

He fixed two strong drinks at the bar, took the decanter, and brought everything to the bedroom. Mahika was already in her usual spot by the window, snuggled with Bungee. Vikram plopped down on the couch facing them and placed the tray and decanter on the table between them.

He handed Mahika her drink, shaking his head with a smile as he watched the bunny stretch lazily. “I still can’t believe he’s adjusted to this house so quickly.”

Mahika smiled. “He loves it here. Especially your study.”

Vikram let out a scoff. “He practically lives under my office desk. I’ve tried chasing him off at least twenty times. The little shit has made it his headquarters.”

She chuckled quietly as she scratched Bungee behind the ears. “Perhaps he simply wants to be close to you.”

Vikram rolled his eyes at her comment. Then, leaning back, he took a slow sip of his drink as he stared at the dark liquid in the decanter. He looked calm on the outside, but inside, he was a mess. He found it easier to speak while they sat across from each other, a little space between them, the lighting dim and intimate. Her caring, expectant gaze was fixed on him, encouraging him to open up.