Page 32 of Entangled Vows

“Of course, Mr. Clean. Can’t bear to see a single thing out of place, huh? So typical.” Mahika folded her arms, lifting herchin in defiance. “Anyway, now that Ishika is here, I’m not going anywhere without her.”

Vikram pulled on his jacket and gave her a sharp look. “No. She’s not coming with us.”

“She’s my best friend, Vikram, and she’s back now. If you think I’ll walk into this sham of a wedding without her, you are sorely mistaken.”

“She’s staying the hell out of it,” he said flatly. “This sham, as you said, doesn’t need an entourage.”

Her mouth curved into a humourless smile. “Wrong, Vikram. If she doesn’t come with me, I’m not going. Drag me, threaten me, shove me into that car… I’ll still scream so loudly that the entire neighbourhood will come running here. Let them see that the great Vikram Khurana can’t even control his own bride.”

With that, she brushed past him and headed straight for Ishika’s room, but paused when Ishika herself appeared in the hallway.

“Hey, you didn’t tell me whyhe’shere, Mahi?” Ishika demanded, crossing her arms.

Her usually sharp gaze was dulled, either from exhaustion or what had been onehellof a night. Her hair was a tangled mess, red lipstick smudged along her cheek, and if the constellation of hickeys across her throat was any indication, she hadn’t exactly spent the night alone.

Vikram arched a brow. “Morning, Ishika. We didn’t get a chance to exchange pleasantries when you arrived. You look… well-rested. Slept like a baby, did you?”

Ishika gave him a flat look. “None of your business,Viku.”

His jaw ticked. “Call me that again, and I’ll personally revoke your entry into my house.”

“Oh no,” she deadpanned. “How will Ieverlive without an invitation to the torture chamber you call home?”

Vikram smirked. “Then you’ll have to live without seeing Mahika, since we’re about to beveryclosely related.”

Ishika frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I’m shocked Mahika hasn’t told you yet.”

Her gaze flicked between them, her face tightening. “Mahi, what’s he talking about?”

“Nothing, Ishi,” Mahika muttered, pressing her fingers to her temples. “We’ll talk later. Right now, please get ready. You’re coming with me. We have somewhere to be.”

“No. We’re talkingnow,” Ishika said stubbornly. “Because the wayhe’senjoying this tells me I’m not going to like whatever it is.”

“NotMahi,” Vikram interjected smoothly. “Soon-to-beMrs. Khurana.”

Ishika’s eyes popped out. “Excuse me?”

Mahika sighed, already bracing herself for the barrage of questions. “We’re getting married.”

There was pin-drop silence.

Then…

“Likehellyou are.” Ishika snapped her gaze to Mahika, fury sparking in her eyes.

“It’s... complicated,” Mahika said weakly.

Ishika’s voice turned deceptively calm. “And when exactly were you planning to tell me this,bestie?”

Mahika let out a breath. “When you got back.”

“How long have you known?”

Mahika shot Vikram a death glare, but he only smirked, goading her further. “Tell yourbestie.”

“Two weeks,” Mahika admitted, unable to meet Ishika’s eyes.