Page 102 of Entangled Vows

She held his face, making sure he looked at her. “But Vikram, he’s your brother. Youhaveto talk to him. Ask him why he left, why he stayed silent. You two should be healing each other, not hurting like this.”

His brow furrowed. “What are you saying?”

She took in a deep breath. “Suraj’s gay, Vikram. He’s in love with someone. I think that’s why he must have run away. Because he couldn’t go through with that marriage clause, not when it would mean living a lie.”

Vikram froze, the words knocking the wind out of him.

“He never told me,” he whispered, almost to himself.

“He was scared,” she said gently. “Scared of your father. Scared of your reaction. He hasn’t told many people.”

Vikram’s voice dropped. “But I would’ve supported him. I would’ve stood by him.”

Mahika placed her hand over his. “I believe you. But he didn’t know that. You two were already miles apart emotionally. And he probably didn’t think you’d see him… likereallysee him.”

Vikram leaned back, scrubbing a hand down his face. “God. I even warned him not to take advantage of you. I was such a fucking idiot.”

“I wanted to smack you for that,” she said dryly.

His eyes snapped towards hers. “He told you?”

“No, dumbass. I overheard you. I was right outside the kitchen. You were being an entitled, presumptuous prick.”

He blinked. Then a soft, broken laugh escaped him. “You’re not wrong.”

“I know I’m not,” she teased as she climbed into his lap and held him close, peppering soft kisses across his forehead and cheek. “But it’s not too late to fix this. Talk to him. Give him a chance.”

He held her tightly, like she was the only anchor he had. “Do you talk to your mom?”

Mahika sighed, her expression dimming. “Barely. She’s... distant. Cold. But this isn’t about me.”

“I still hate how she treats you.”

“I’ve made peace with it. Doesn’t mean it’s right, but I’m used to the disappointment.”

“You don’t deserve that, Momo.” His voice was tender now. “Promise me you won’t let her treat you like that anymore.”

“I promise, Grizz.” She kissed his nose. “Now you promise me something. Talk to Suraj. Let him in. He was just a kid back then, just like you. Don’t hold him responsible for the mess your mother left behind.”

“I’ll try,” Vikram said quietly. “But I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive her. She made me hate someone I loved.”

Mahika nodded, both fierce and tearful. “Then we’ll hate her together. She didn’t just leave her family; she abandoned a boy who was trying so hard to measure up. You don’t have to bear this burden alone anymore. Not with me. It’s okay not to be strong all the time. You’re allowed to feel.”

He didn’t answer. He just pulled her in and kissed her, hard and fervent. Desperate and soft. A kiss that tasted like grief and release. And for the first time in his life, Vikram Khurana let someone touch the broken parts of him.

Not to fix them. Not to explain. Just to hold.

And that changed everything.

33

The early morning air was cool and still, as if even the universe was feeling as sad as Mahika. It had been almost three months since their wedding, and for the past two weeks, she had been wrapped in his arms, waking up beside him every morning. And now, the thought of him leaving for a work trip made her chest tighten with dread.

It was the day Vikram was leaving for London, and the ache of his absence had already begun to settle in her chest.

The car waited outside. Mohit leaned against the passenger side, casually scrolling through his phone, doing his best to give them space. Vikram’s bags were already in the trunk, and the private jet was ready at the tarmac.

Mahika stood in the foyer with her arms folded across her chest. She told herself the cold was the reason her body felt so rigid, like something inside her was wound tight, but she knew it wasn’t the weather. It was him leaving.