Page 9 of Entangled Vows

“I don’t understand why would he do this,” she whispered, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

“He had his reasons, I guess,” Mr. Rao said softly. “They both did.”

“None of them are good enough. I’m not marrying that annoying jerk.”

She turned to Mohit. “Did you know, Mohit?”

“Fuck, no,” he replied quickly. “I swear, Mahi, I would never let Dad do this to you.”

She searched her brother’s face to catch even a flicker of guilt. But there was nothing except raw hurt written there.

“There’s no way I’d let him trap you like this,” Mohit said, pulling her into a hug.

She wanted to resist, but she surrendered to her brother’s hug. His warmth and support pierced through her defences, pricking her eyes, and despite herself, the tears came, betraying her control.

“It’s going to be okay, Mahi,” Mohit murmured into her hair. “You don’t have to do any of this. This is a crock of fucking shit.”

Before she could respond, Mr. Rao cut in, his tone measured but firm. “I’m afraid neither of them can simply walk away. The clause is binding for both Mahika and Vikram. And to be clear, it impacts not only them, but their families and everyone tied to the business.”

“What do you mean?” Mohit asked sharply, his arms tightening protectively around his sister.

Mr. Rao didn’t flinch. “Like I said before, the beach house in Australia goes to Mahika after one year of marriage—”

“And what about the Antichrist over here? Is he getting some kind of weird arm-twisting by his father from the grave too?” Mahika interrupted, crossing her arms like a defiant kid. She knew she was being childish, but right now, she just wanted to lash out at everyone.

This was too much. Why was only her life being demolished like this while Vikram sat like he was just listening to soothing music?

“Mahika...” Her mother’s voice cut through for the first time in the past hour, quiet, but full of disapproval.

Oh, so now she has found her voice?

“What?” Mahika shot back, glaring first at Mohit, then at Mr. Rao. “Why is Vikram just sitting there like a statue? Does he think we’re discussing IPL scores? What the hell is wrong with you, Vikram? Why are you being so cold and unaffected when you should be just as furious as I am?”

“Calm down, Momo,” Vikram replied evenly, his tone clipped.

“You have no right to tell me to calm down, you ass!” she fired back.

Mr. Rao pressed his lips into a thin line. “Mahika, Vikram already knows some of the details of the clause. It was disclosed during his father’s will reading at his home a few days ago. This stipulation is not one-sided. The stakes are just as high for him. If he refuses, the JK Group will go bankrupt, and a third party will swoop in. That would mean the end of the legacies, of everything your fathers built together. Even the Khurana Empire will be stripped away from him, piece by piece.”

He paused, meeting her gaze. “One refusal from either of you, and it all crumbles. There is no escape. The fall will be brutal.”

Mahika faltered for a moment, looking uncertain, but Mr. Rao pressed on. “If you both agree and remain married for one year, the clause will be fulfilled. After that, you may stay married or get a divorce... it’s entirely your decision. You will keep the beach house. And Vikram will save the business.”

Mahika frowned. “What happens if we agree, but divorce before a year is up?”

“Then the deal’s null and void,” Mr. Rao said firmly, “and you both loseeverything.”

Mahika stayed silent, fury burning in her veins. This wasn’t just about her. It was about saving the businesses. She didn’t want to see Vikram’s side of things, but she wasn’t built to turn away from the truth. She couldn’t ignore the fact that Vikram was just as trapped. Their legacy bound them together, whether they liked it or not.

Her jaw tightened as she snapped, “I hate being cornered, forced into something I never wanted. And this… this is the choice I’m left with? Chain myself to him, or watcheverything collapse? Tell me, Mr. Rao, does that sound fair to you?”

Mr. Rao sighed. “This clause was designed to protect your father’s legacy, but more than that, it’s for your own protection, Mahika. It’s not about fairness. In the end, it all comes down to trust.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Like I said, you’ll understand better once you’ve had the board meeting with Mr. Uday Jehangir,” Mr. Rao replied.

“That’s not fair,” she whispered, her voice shaking.