Page 69 of Trapped By the Maharaja

A young intern leaned in, wide-eyed. “How do you know?”

“Sania Kolli’s been boasting to senior staff that she has the inside scoop because her friend owns a reputed events management company that is one of the vendors!”

“Oh wow,” another whispered. “Maybe Miss Kolli will get to see the pictures of the event too!”

Sanjana tried not to listen to the gossip. It made her panic.

One day. She only had one day before she would be announced as Ram’s wife.

Her pulse hammered.

I can’t let that happen.

She pushed the chart back into its slot and walked down the corridor, the sound of her flats clicking against the floor louder than usual in her ears. The truth was suffocating her.

Ever since that heated encounter in Ram’s home office, when Ram’s mouth and hands created havoc on her body, she hadn’t been able to think straight. She had tried her best to keep away from him as much as possible. But it was a losing game.

Ram didn’t allow her the distance. He never did. She realized it was Ram carrying her to bed each night, because of which she woke up each morning with his arms around her and his chest warm under her cheek.

So, she forced herself to sleep next to him in the bed instead, keeping maximum distance between them.

But still, every morning she woke up with her head pillowed on his chest, the faint beat of his heart steady beneath her ear. The weight of his arm curved around her waist while his scent of sandalwood and citrus, deep and masculine, filled her senses.

Each time their eyes met, her body betrayed her. Heat coiled low in her stomach, her pulse thrummed with dangerous awareness.

She had to remind herself again and again that she hated him. That he had trapped her. Forced her into a contract marriage. Yet her body didn’t understand hate. Her body only remembered what it craved.

She craved the ruthless Devara Maharaja.

“Dr. Shetty.”

Her name cut through her thoughts.

Sanjana turned and saw Sania Kolli. She was wearing a navy suit tailored to perfection, red lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“You should start counting your days here, Dr. Shetty,” she said smoothly. “I have influential contacts that have direct access to Ram Devara and Suchitra Devi. They will be made aware of your activities and you will no longer work at their hospital.”

With a tilt of her chin, Sania turned and left, her heels clacking loudly against the tiles.

Sanjana exhaled sharply, clutching the file in her hand.

Sania’s threats didn’t matter. What mattered was the announcement at the event.

Less than a day until the world saw her at Ram’s side. Less than a day until the trap sealed.

Her chest heaved with every breath. She needed a plan. She needed to end this marriage before it was announced. She had to convince him to let her go.

But when she closed her eyes, it wasn’t an escape she saw. It was him. His hands gripping her hair, while his mouth feasted on her breast, marking her and making her burn with passion and unfulfilled need.

Stop thinking about it!

Her pulse raced as she realized something.

If she didn’t break free soon, she feared that she wouldn’t want to.

CHAPTER 33

By the time the helicopter landed at the Devara Palace, dozens of workers were on the ground preparing the palace. Strings of golden lights blinked along the arches. Delivery trucks lined the side entrance, porters hauled crates. Sanjana stepped into the palace.