Page 185 of Lawfully Yours

She burst out laughing at that image, but her laughter died almost instantly when he once again rolled her beneath him in one smooth, commanding motion. The look in his eyes had changed. The teasing was replaced by something deeper, rawer. Dark desire burned there, and her body reacted instantly, arching into his without a word. Her eyes fluttered shut, giving him every unspoken permission to go ahead and claim her once again.

Yet he didn’t move. Didn’t touch her. He just stayed there, watching her,waiting.

She opened her eyes again, confused and aching, searching his face and silently asking him why he’d stopped. Kushal read the question without her saying a word.

His palm cupped her jaw while with his other hand, he aligned their bodies together.Slowly.

“I want you to look at me when I do this,” he whispered.

She bit her lower lip, eyes locked on his, as he finally pushed forward…slower and deeper.

The sensation was a perfect storm of pain and pleasure. Last night, the darkness had hidden his face, masking what he felt. But now, in the soft daylight, she saw how every movement of his body was both giving and taking, pleasure meeting pleasure in perfect rhythm.

She saw everything…the way his hair fell over his forehead, damp with sweat; the way his eyes fluttered closed for a heartbeat, as he stroked deeper, before finding hers again; the way every movement made his breath hitch, his muscles tighten, his jaw flex. And those sounds…those deep, throaty groans that spilt from his lips as if saying her name in every breath.

There he was…Kushal Nair. The man she’d loved, fought, left, and found again. And this look, this version of him, lost in her, was one no one else would ever see. It was only hers to see. For the rest of their lives.

****************

One Week Later - Family Court, Mumbai

The press swarmed outside the family court. Today was the second hearing of Anant-Sadhna’s divorce case. Judge Meera Deshmukh had granted fast-tracking at the first hearing, and today, the court would listen to the witnesses and the arguments.

Sadhna sat with Maanya Kapoor at her side, wearing a designer beige saree, her eyes glistening for effect. On the petitioner side, Anant Mukherjee sat next to Arundhati and Kushal, looking pale.

Kushal leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice so only Arundhati and Anant could hear.

“Maanya’s pulled a last-minute trick,” he murmured. “Two new witnesses — Revati, Sadhna’s close friend, and Pavithra, her longtime makeup artist. Their testimonies are being added. We only got the names late last night.”

Worry clouded Anant’s face. “Revati? She’s like family to Sadhna… and Pavithra has been working with her for years. Why would they go against me? I’ve always treated them with respect.”

Arundhati exhaled slowly, turning in her seat to face him.

“Because they’re loyal to her, not to the truth. And loyalty can be manipulated easily when emotions are high. Don’t worry. We’ll handle this. You just keep your cool.”

Kushal met her eyes across the table. His look said it all:I’ve got this.He straightened his coat, and his eyes flicked toward Maanya across the courtroom, who had a smug smile on her lips as she met Kushal’s gaze, clearly thinking she had cornered him.

He didn’t blink. He simply returned the gesture with the faintest smirk…the kind that saidyou’ll regret underestimating me.

Judge Meera walked in, and everyone rose in respect. She glanced up from the case file once settled.

“Let’s proceed. Mrs. Sadhna Mukherjee’s counsel may continue with the alimony argument.”

Maanya stood, stepping forward sharply. “Your Honour, my client devoted two years of her life to this marriage. She put her acting career almost on hold, supported Mr. Mukherjee’s rise, and endured emotional and physical abuse in silence. Today, she stands before this court seeking justice. We demand an alimony of ?50 crores, in accordance with the lifestyle she maintained during the marriage.”

Gasps rippled through the courtroom. Arundhati and Kushal didn’t flinch.

Judge Meera raised an eyebrow. “Abuse allegations have been made. You have proof?”

Maanya smiled faintly, signalling the bailiff.

“Yes, Your Honour. We have witnesses who will establish a pattern of abuse and neglect done to my client, Mrs. Sadhna.”

Sadhna dabbed her eyes delicately with a tissue.

Kushal leaned toward Arundhati. “She’s really a great actor,” he muttered under his breath. “So much of theatrics.”

Arundhati smirked lightly. “We’ve handled worse.”