Chapter 14: The Bitter Game
The sound of their laughter followed me into my dreams, haunting me until dawn. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Natasha's red silk dress and the way Advik didn't pull away from her touch.
I woke up with a fire in my veins. If he wanted to show me how irrelevant I was, I would show him that two could play at that game. My heart was screaming in pain, but my pride was louder.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Aman.
"Aman? Are you free tonight?" I asked, my voice trembling with forced excitement. "I want to go out. Somewhere loud. Somewhere everyone can see us."
"Ananya? Of course! I'll pick you up at eight," Aman said, sounding surprised but happy.
The Departure
Eight o'clock arrived. I spent hours on my reflection. I wore a backless black dress that hugged every curve, my hair falling in loose, polished waves. I looked like a queen, but I felt like a wreck.
I walked down the grand staircase just as Advik and Natasha were stepping out of the dining room. Natasha was wearing his tuxedo jacket over her shoulders, looking smug and beautiful.
Advik stopped. His eyes swept over me—from my heels to my exposed back—for a fleeting second. I waited for the flash of anger. I waited for him to demand to know where I was going.
"The car is here," Aman's voice boomed from the foyer as he walked in, looking out of place in the marble hall.
I walked straight up to Advik, stopping only inches away. The scent of his cologne mixed with Natasha's perfume made me nauseous. "I'm going out with Aman. Don't wait up."
Advik didn't even blink. He adjusted his cufflink with agonizing slowless.
"Have a safe evening," he said, his voice as flat as a dial tone. He turned to Natasha and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Shall we go to the terrace, darling? The vintage is chilling."
"Of course, Advik," Natasha purred, shooting me a look of pure pity.
I felt the blood drain from my face. I turned to Aman, grabbing his arm with more force than necessary. "Let's go, Aman. We're late."
The Hollow Date
We went to a high-end rooftop lounge, but the music felt like static and the champagne tasted like vinegar. Aman was talking, laughing, trying to hold my hand, but I was a thousand miles away. I kept checking my phone, hoping for a single "Where are you?" text from Advik.
Nothing.
"Ananya, you're not even here, are you?" Aman asked, his voice losing its cheer.
"I am, Aman. I'm just... tired," I lied for the hundredth time.
I looked at the city skyline and realized the bitter truth. I had dragged Aman out here as a pawn in a game Advik wasn't even playing anymore. Advik wasn't jealous because he had already buried his heart. He had checked out of our marriage long before the divorce papers were even printed.
I had tried to burn him with jealousy, but I was the only one catching fire.
When I returned to the mansion at 2:00 AM, I saw the lights in the West Wing were dimmed.
Advik hadn't waited up.
I realize that the "Architect" had finally finished building the wall between us.
I wasn't his princess. I wasn't even his prisoner. To Advik Malhotra, I was now officially a stranger.