Page 43 of Entangled Vows

“You are leaving already?” Ruhi whined.

“It’s been an hour. We need to head out,” he said, adjusting his cufflinks. “We’ll meet again later in the evening.”

“We’re flying home tonight on Adil’s jet,” Arjun said.

“I thought you were leaving tomorrow,” Vikram frowned, tilting his head.

“Yes, but the kids are missing us,” Mira explained softly. “And we’re missing them too.”

Mahika rose, smoothing her saree, and was struck by how light she felt, as if a quiet weight had lifted from her shoulders. Warm goodbyes circled around them as the group stepped outside.

Kyra looped her arm through Mahika’s. “Get ready for the madness. Lunches, dinners, shopping trips, double dates. You’re family now.”

Mahika laughed softly, the sound surprising her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

At the curb, Vikram’s hand pressed against the small of her back, guiding her towards their car. The touch was firm, grounding, and it made her pulse skip a beat.

As the others waved at her, Arjun shouted, “Mahika, if he ever annoys you, you’ve got eight of us on speed dial. We’ll straighten him out in no time.”

Fresh laughter spilled from her again, and Mahika couldn’t hold it back. For the first time since signing those papers, she felt at ease, as if this marriage, with all its uncertainties and convenience, had quietly gifted her something she hadn’t expected: a few genuinely good friends, and maybe… a hint of something more.

17

Vikram sat at the head of the boardroom table, calm on the outside but tightly coiled beneath that tough façade. The silence in the room was charged with tension. On his right sat Mahika, her face unreadable, while Mohit sat on his left, looking visibly restless. The other five board members shifted quietly in their seats, waiting for the meeting to start.

Then the doors opened, and Vikram didn’t even need to look up to know who it was.

Uday Jehangir, one of the senior-most members, walked in. A man whose influence stretched far beyond the company. With his silver hair slicked neatly back and eyes that still shone with sharp intelligence, he carried a decade-old experience as the former head of the Jehangir Group.

“Apologies for the delay, gentlemen,” Uday said in his clipped, no-nonsense tone. “These old bones take time nowadays.”

Vikram immediately stood up and gave him a nod. “Good afternoon, Mr. Jehangir.” They exchanged a firm handshake, and the room fell into a silence so tense it felt like the stillness before a storm.

“Good afternoon, young man. Hope everything is in order, because this meeting will be a fast-track one. It’s time to get this company back on track,” Uday said firmly.

“Yes. Everything has been handled,” Vikram stated, guiding him to his seat.

Mahika took in the tension in the room. Uday Jehangir wasn’t just another board member. He was the sharp and ruthless strategist who had once guided their fathers. His mere presence shifted the balance of power.

Uday’s eyes rested on her, softening just slightly. “Congrats, dear. I heard the good news of your marriage to Vikram!”

Mahika gave him a flat smile. “Thank you. Though I’m not sure about the ‘good news’ part of your statement.”

Uday’s brow arched as he looked at her. Then he turned to Vikram with a sly smile. “She’s certainly going to keep you on your toes, son.”

Vikram merely clenched his jaw in response.

The meeting began by delving into merger details, logistics, team integrations, and financial considerations. Vikram responded to each question with ease, his responses sharp and precise despite his terse tone. By the end, they’d assured the board members that the company was now stable, and the merger would soon take full effect.

“Now that everything has been clarified and accounted for, this meeting is adjourned,” Uday declared, his voice a raw blend of calm and steel.

Vikram’s frown deepened at the abrupt dismissal. Why would Uday end the meeting without his consent, when Vikram was the one who’d called it?

What the hell was this old man scheming?

He said nothing, only let his gaze wander to Mohit’s. His own eyes narrowed with irritation, while Mohit remained calm, silent, and unflinching. Vikram silently acknowledged the unspoken solidarity.

For a brief moment, Vikram’s expression shifted, but when he spoke, he kept his voice in check. “Mr. Jehangir is right. We’re done here.”