Page 122 of Trapped By the Maharaja

His gaze hardened with a satisfied smile. “But Ram won’t marry again. He loves you and wants only you as his wife. Which means, when you’re dead, the Devara title will pass…to me.”

Sanjana’s heart thudded sickly listening to Rishan’s words.

She knew she had to buy time. The Devara security would have conveyed to Ram that she didn’t show up at the end of her shift. He must already be looking for her. “You’re wrong. Ram doesn’t love me. He hates me because he still thinks I cheated on him with you. He married me for revenge. Even if I die, he will marry again and produce an heir. His family legacy is more important to him.”

For the first time, Rishan’s smile wavered. There was a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

Sanjana used the brief moment of doubt to react. Her fist connected with Rishan’s nose.

The crunch of bone breaking could be heard, and it was followed by his sharp scream of pain.

Rishan staggered back, clutching his face, blood already spilling between his fingers.

Sanjana’s chest heaved, her knuckles stinging, but she didn’t care. She spun and bolted toward the warehouse door.

But two of Rishan’s men stepped out of the shadows, blocking her path. Their bulk loomed in the dim light, and before she could dart sideways, rough hands grabbed her arms.

“Bring her back to me!” Rishan roared, his voice muffled by blood, dripping and staining his shirt.

The men dragged her back across the concrete floor, her heels scraping, her breath ragged with fury and panic. She fought, kicking hard, but their grip was iron.

Rishan stood waiting, his nose bleeding, his eyes gleaming with murderous rage. Ram had broken his nose at the Devara Palace during the announcement event. She had punched Rishan, knowing his nose was still sensitive and healing.

“You’ll pay for that,” Rishan hissed, pulling a knife from his belt. Its blade caught the flickering light. “With your life.”

Sanjana forced herself to hold his gaze, though her heart thundered inside her chest. “Your fingerprints are on the knife,” she reminded. “Your blood is also on the floor. There is plenty of evidence pointing at you. Even if you try to wipe the floor clean, you won’t entirely get rid of the evidence.”

He froze. She pushed further.

“I am the Devara Maharani,” she said in a commanding tone. “There will be a thorough investigation. Ram will ensure it.”

His eyes widened, betraying his fear.

“You bitch,” Rishan hissed. “Then I’ll kill you elsewhere.” He looked at his men. “Get her and the other doctor into the van. We’ll take them to the forest. There won’t be evidence there.”

Sanjana’s heart thudded. She hoped she had bought enough time for Ram to realize she was missing. Just as Rishan began dragging her towards the exit of the warehouse, there was a familiar sound.

Her heart raced when she heard the deep, thunderous whir of helicopter blades. The walls of the warehouse trembled faintly with the force of it. Dust rained from the rafters as the warehouse filled with the unmistakable thrum of a landing chopper.

Rishan’s eyes widened in shock. “No! We sent a message from her phone. How did he find—”

The warehouse door burst open. Black-clad Devara security stormed inside, weapons raised, voices sharp and commanding. The chaos erupted in shouts, the clash of fists, the thud of bodies hitting the floor.

Through the chaos, Sanjana saw Ram. His dark eyes locked on her as he moved towards her with purpose.

Sanjana’s heart leapt.

But before she could scream his name, Rishan jerked her closer, the cold blade pressing against her throat. Her cry caught in her chest.

“Stay back!” Rishan bellowed, his voice raw with panic. His grip on Sanjana’s arm was iron, the blade pressing into the soft skin of her throat. “One more step and I’ll slit her throat!”

Ram froze mid-stride, his dark eyes burning with fury. “If I see a drop of her blood, you’ll die a painful death.”

Sanjana could feel the tremor in Rishan’s hand. His breathing was harsh, erratic, betraying the desperation beneath his rage.

“You can’t kill me, Ram,” Rishan spat. “I am your cousin. Of Devara blood.”

Ram’s voice was ice. “That’s the only reason you’ve remained alive all these years despite what you’ve done. But if you hurt my wife, there will be no sparing you.”