Page 62 of Wasted Grace

“Not the time,” she’d said.

So I tried. Ireallydid. I tried to rein it in. But the second she brought up Aarohi’s wedding upsetting me, my grip slipped. Guilt, shame, regret—all of it came pouring out. A volatile cocktail I couldn’t hold down.

“That... is what upsets me,” I finally said.

Her eyes glisten, panic flickering at the edges. And then—

“I... I slept with her,” I confess in a horrified whisper. “After you were gone. I did that. And now I can’t even... gain asliverof your forgiveness.”

I look down at my shoes like they hold the answer.

When I finally look back up, bracing for the worst—rage, indifference,disgust—what I see instead knocks the wind out of me.

She’s smiling.

A soft, stunned little smile. Not smug. Not cold. Just... knowing—almost amused. Her eyes are still glassy, still carryingthat familiar ache, but there’s no anger in them. Just a sad sort of amusement.

Fuck.

“You knew,” I breathe, stupidly.

Of course she did.Nothing slips past her.

And now all I can think is—does she know the rest?

What I did three months ago? How I gave up, completely?

My stomach lurches and I stumble back a step.

I search her face, desperate for something. But all I see is a thousand emotions crowding behind her eyes—none of them clear enough to read.

“Yes,” she says simply. Her voice is soft. Steady. But the pain in her eyes pulses like a heartbeat.

Not the time.

Fuck.

I did it again.

She told me—twice—that she didn’t want to talk. That we’ll talkone day. And I still couldn’t keep my goddamn mouth shut.

“Sorry. I just... word-vomited,” I mutter, backing up further. “I shouldn’t have said any of that. You said it wasn’t the time and I still—God, I’m sorry.”

She blinks, slow and thoughtful, and the smile fades just slightly. “I didn’t stop you.”

“You did. You tried—”

“There are non-verbal ways, Vik. I could’ve stopped you at any point.”

Her voice is so gentle, it makes my chest hurt.

And she’s right. If she’d wanted to shut me down, she would’ve. I don’t have a single doubt about this new Greesha. But she didn’t.

I just stare at her. Speechless.

She sighs softly. “I know what happened at the wedding. I know you tried with her. And... failed?”

There’s a quiet huff of breath from her, but it’s not cruel. It’s not mockery.