Page 119 of Entangled Vows

Mahika stood near the window of the study, her arms crossed, her posture stiff with suppressed rage. She looked like the sweet girl next door, simple yet beautiful, wearing a light peach block-printed short kurti, paired with loose white cotton pants. Her hair was half tied at the back while the rest tumbled down, frizzed by the monsoon air.

The mild daylight filtered in, but the room felt anything but warm. She glared at Suraj, who sat slouched in the chair opposite Vikram’s massive desk, looking nothing like the easy-going man she once knew. His shoulders were slumped, and his eyes looked tired, but Mahika didn’t care about it. She wanted answers, and she was going to get them.

“Why didn’t you at least text me, Sunny?” she burst out, her voice sharp with hurt. “I tried reaching out so many times.”

Suraj let out a heavy sigh. “I wanted to, Mahi. I really did. But I couldn’t. I left because… there were reasons. And one of them was that I couldn’t marry you. You know I love you, but not like that.”

Her nostrils flared as she shot back, “Yes, I know. But the clause clearly said I was supposed to marry the heir, which was Vikram. You were never meant to marry me. And do you seriously thinkIwanted to marry you, you idiot?”

Suraj froze, speechless. “I… I wasn’t aware of the specifics. Mr. Rao just said the marriage was the key to saving the company. I freaked out. I didn’t think it through... I’m sorry.”

Arms crossed, she tried to compose herself. “Fine. I’ll let that misunderstanding go. But then why didn’t you step up and tell the world your truth? Being gay isn’t something to hide or be ashamed of. The world has changed, Sunny. You could have lived openly, without fear. Instead, you ran away and left your brother to face everything alone. The media storm, the endless questions, the business. And on top of that, your father was sick. He was on his death bed.”

Her voice trembled as it rose. “Vikram was here, holding everything together alone, cleaning up the wreckage you left behind.”

Suraj’s lips twitched. “For someone who hated my brother, you sure are taking his side a lot.”

“He’s my husband now, not just your brother. And I never really hated him, dumbass,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “Stop acting like you know everything about what’s between us. Just… tell me, why did you leave?”

“I would rather tell the reasons to my brother first,” Suraj replied, pausing for a beat. Then, he added softly, “Mahi, it’s really good to know someone has Vicky’s back.”

Mahika didn’t respond. Her silence settled into the room like a warning, a quiet confession that spoke louder than words.

“I am fucking eager to know those reasons too, Suraj,” Vikram’s voice cut in. “Where the hell did you vanish?”

Neither of them had noticed Vikram standing at the doorway. He stepped into the study, the very picture of a sharp, composed man who had spent far too long holding himself together.

As he walked past her, Mahika’s fingers brushed against his. His pinky finger curled around hers for the briefest moment. It was subtle and instinctive, and it made her breath hitch. Then he moved ahead and leaned casually against the edge of the desk, his eyes pinned on his brother.

Across the room, Mohit and Ishika sat stiffly on the couch, too wary to speak.

Vikram was in front of Suraj now.

“Hey, big bro. How are you?” Suraj asked, stepping forward and pulling him into a hug.

Mahika noticed Vikram freeze for a second, his arms hanging by his sides. But then, slowly, he lifted them and returned the hug with a single, awkward pat on Suraj’s back before pulling away.

“I’m fucking fantastic,” Vikram said, his eyes scanning Suraj’s face. “But you look like shit.”

Suraj gave a weary smile.

“What happened?” Vikram asked quietly. “Why did you leave? We’d spoken just a week before, and you seemed fine then.”

Suraj let out a long breath and lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry… for everything. Vicky, there are things you still don’t know…”

“I know everything,” Vikram cut in, his tone leaving no room for doubt. He circled behind the desk, standing tall. “Mahika told me already.”

“I am sorry, Suraj,” Mahika said softly, her voice apologetic. “But I had to.”

Suraj nodded without hesitation. “It’s fine, Mahi. I don’t blame you.”

“Suraj, I don’t care whether you are gay or straight. That’s not the issue. You are my brother, and I’ll love you either way,” Vikram said, his voice edged with hurt. “The problem is, why the hell did you hide it from me, when everyone else in this room already knew?”

Suraj winced at that. “Because it never felt like the right time to bring it up. We are brothers, yes, but there has always been this strange, cold distance between us. And that kept me from telling you the truth.”

Vikram let out a laugh, but it was bitter and hollow. “That’s on me. The distance was my fault. I blamed you for things that weren’t yours to carry. I was angry when Mom took you with her and left me with Dad. She drove a wedge between us, and I only made it worse with my resentment.”

“What?” Suraj’s voice cracked. “That was the reason for all your passive-aggressive bullshit over the years? You thought Mom loved me more?”