Page 105 of Right Where I Belong

“This is Reina,” Vedant introduced. “She saved my life once, and she’s…”

“…the love of your life,” Sabrina finished with a soft laugh, drawing Reina in a hug. “I’m so happy to see you all so happy and in love.”

Finally, she went to Mihir and the woman beside him.

“Hi, Ananya,” Sabrina said, embracing her. “I’ll forever be grateful to you for reuniting me with my brothers.”

“I’m glad I could help,” Ananya said.

Finally, she turned to her friends, Sheena and Rajiv. “God, this is such a small world. Imagine, we’re related now.”

Sheena smiled and gave her a hug. “I missed meeting you for Kush’s birthday party, but I’m so happy to see you here.”

“Come on,” Rajiv said cheerfully, “let’s take the party inside.”

Everyone began to move inside, but Sabrina lingered, waiting for Aditya to catch up with her. She took his hand when he reached her.

“Are you okay?” he asked, squeezing her fingers.

“I’m delighted! Thank you for bringing me here.”

He smiled, taking her inside with him. Everyone was assembled in the living room by the time Aditya and she reached inside. Her brothers exchanged glances with one another when they saw her hand in Aditya’s.

Armaan stepped forward. “Can we talk with you?”

Aditya released her hand and gave her a nod as she followed her brothers to their study. She took a seat and looked around. The room was done in wood, leather, and glass. The rich elegance surrounding her filled her with pride. She was delighted to see how successful her brothers were.

She found all their eyes on her, watching her. She gave them a smile, and they all sat around her. Mihir took the seat besideher, and Armaan and Vedant sat on the two armchairs facing them. An old butler, European, she guessed, entered wheeling in coffee and cake. Vedant made her a cup and handed one each to their brothers. Finally, taking his own cup, he took a seat again.

“So, you went with Alexander?” she asked. “How did that happen?”

Mihir began. “Alexander had been talking to me about taking us all back with him to Russia. He wanted to adopt us. But I wanted him to wait till we were eighteen. The orphanage was going to let us go, in any case, and the adoption process would be easier once we were all adults. I told Armaan and Vedant about the plan, but I was waiting until your eighteenth birthday to tell you. You see, I didn’t want Dorab influencing you in any way.”

Her smile wavered at this, but Mihir was quick to say, “I know it’s all in the past, and perhaps it’s my fault for not telling you earlier. Had I done so, we would never have been separated.”

“It’s not your fault…” She shook her head. “It’s mine for going with Dorab that day. I was so naïve. So stupid.”

“Will you tell us what happened?” Armaan asked.

She looked at her brothers and told them everything that had happened, starting from when she left the orphanage with Dorab, right up to the point where Rithwik and Raashi had helped her family, changing her life for the better. They heard her patiently, gently asking questions along the way.

“I’ve heard about Rithwik Bali,” Mihir said. “He’s the owner of Fortuna, correct?”

She nodded.

“Then we owe him a debt for looking out for you,” Armaan said.

She laughed. “To be honest, he did it for Aisha. But he’s amazing.”

Vedant nodded. “I’m happy to hear you were surrounded by good people. But your husband and his mother…”

She shook her head. “Ajay has been dead for too long now. I forgave him a long time ago, just like I’ve forgiven my mother-in-law. She’s the only mother figure I’ve known in my life, and despite her flaws, I do adore her. And I know now she adores me too. She took me in when I had nothing and no one. It is thanks to her that I’ve been safe all along.”

They all nodded, even though their expressions were somber.

“I can’t believe you never returned to Rishikesh because you wanted to keep us safe,” Mihir said.

“At that time, I didn’t know how else to protect you all. I’d made a mistake, and I didn’t want my brothers to pay for it. But enough about me,” she chirped. “Look at all of you. How did you all get here? I have been told that the Oshnovs are the richest men in the world. Was it because of Alexander?”