Page 45 of Entangled Vows

Uday’s jaw ticked. “Because Excel Group doesn’t play by ordinary rules. They don’t care about morals, family, or loyalty. They play to win, whatever the cost.”

Vikram leaned forward, his voice like ice. “And what did Om Uncle do then? Did he accept the proposal?”

“Of course not. He refused,” Uday answered without hesitation.

Mahika’s eyes searched his face. “Then, what about the debt?”

“The debt was cleared. Sanjyot did what any best friend would do. Paid off every last rupee and made sure Om never slipped back into that abyss again.”

The silence in the room was deafening.

“So… the unequal partnership?” Mahika’s voice trembled.

“It’s because Om had to sell his shares to Sanjyot,” Uday replied evenly.

Uday’s gaze settled on all of them. “As for the marriage clause… I don’t know for sure, but I believe it was written to protect Mahika. And maybe,” Uday added smoothly, “because Sanjyot always wanted Mahika as his daughter-in-law.”

Mahika’s chest ached at hearing those words. Her eyes instinctively darted to Vikram. He sat there stiffly, his silence heavy with barely contained anger.

Beside her, Mohit buried his face in his palms and rubbed his temples as if willing everything to go away. “I swear, no one… no one will ever use my sister like this again. Not on my watch.” He looked up at Vikram, his voice laced with a fierceness only a protective brother could have. “Promise me, Vicky. You will never let harm come her way.”

Vikram flexed his jaw and nodded tersely. “Of course. I will keep her safe. Always.”

Mahika’s eyes flashed, her voice cutting through the air sharply. “I don’t need anyone to save me. I’m not some damsel in distress. So just… stop it.” Her chin lifted stubbornly, though her tears betrayed her. “What I can’t believe is… how could Dad do this? How could he gamble everything away like that?” She shook her head, holding herself together, determined not to fall apart.

Uday exhaled slowly and looked at all of them. Then, he pinned Mahika with a sympathetic look. “Mahika, your father gambled recklessly, yes. He drowned in debt, yes. But when it came to the one thing he could still protect… he chose you.”

He then turned to Vikram. “And you, Vikram, your father silently shouldered Om’s burdens. He was dragged into a mess he never asked for, yet he carried it anyway. That will, this merger, this marriage clause… I don’t think it was just business. It was their last effort to protect their children, their final act of love… even if it came in the most twisted form.”

Mohit leaned forward, torn between anger and grief. “So, we just accept this and move on?”

“Absolutely,” Uday said firmly. “Yes, the imbalance of shares exists, but it’s a done deal now. It doesn’t change the work ahead, or the responsibility you both have to take this company to the top.”

Uday pushed back his chair. “The board expects results. You two need to get your acts together. This is not about feelings. It’s business.” His gaze locked with Vikram. “Call me if you need anything. I know the past few months have been hard.”

“Sure,” Vikram said.

Uday nodded and walked out, leaving a heavy hush inside the room.

Mahika stayed frozen, her mind still reeling. Mohit exhaled slowly, unclenching his fists, though anger still shone in his eyes.

Vikram got up as if nothing earth-shattering had been revealed mere minutes ago, and casually adjusted his jacket. “C’mon, Mohit. Meeting in thirty minutes.”

Her gaze followed him as he strode out. Mohit rose slowly, placing a brief, brotherly hand on her shoulder before walking out.

At last, she was alone. Mahika sank into the chair, trying to process the truth bombs that had just landed at her. Outside, the world went on like nothing had changed, but inside, she knew nothing would ever feel the same again.

∞∞∞

The corridor was quiet, the hum of the air conditioning and the faint chatter of staff fading behind them. Vikram walked beside Mohit, his long strides eating up the distance to his cabin. He looked at his childhood friend and felt the tension radiating off him like a live wire.

“I didn’t know,” Mohit blurted.

Vikram paused mid-step, his gaze locking onto Mohit. “About?” His tone was calm, but there was an edge underneath.

Mohit ran a hand through his hair, frustration and guilt etched across his face. “About Dad… his gambling, his problems. And Mahika… Fuck, her safety could be at risk. I’m her brother. I’m supposed to protect her. She’s my responsibility.”

Vikram’s jaw tightened. “Was.”