His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 41

Later at the gala, I found myself on the dance floor, even though I didn’t want to be. I was forced by none other than my husband, who after dinner came to me and stood there with his hand extended.

Some people gushed, others whispered.

I couldn’t refuse with the number of eyes on us, so I kept my hand in his. And then I circled my hand around his neck while his’ found their way on my waist, holding me close as he swayed with me slowly to the music.

“You don’t dance, 1 mumble. A quiet observation, a statement I remembered him make the last time we were here.

“I do with you. He twirled me when I wasn’t expecting it, and held me before I could stumble.

I bury my head in his chest. “Lily’s watching”

“She can.”

I blink. “Are you trying to make her jealous?”

“I don’t have a any reason to.”

“Then why did you react like that looking at her, like you were some antelope caught in headlights?”

“I’m sure you could find an example more suited than calling me an antelope.” He smiles, but he’s the only one amused. He pauses when I don’t take the bait for a topic change, and then answers, “Things are a little more complicated than you think.”

I pull away from him and he reluctantly lets me go. “Then make simple, because the emerald in my wedding ring isn’t my birthstone. It’s hers.”

He pauses. Looking into his eyes, I could see no surprise in them

“You knew that.” My voice was soft but accusatory as I try keeping my expressions neutral for the sake of the eyes on us. “Because this ring, it was never meant for me. It’s hers?”

He remains silent again, and its weight felt heavy on my shoulders. I pause waiting for him to deny my accusation, my guess, but it never comes,

A humourless chuckle escape my lips, not out of anger but just hollow sadness. “I’m wearing her ring? You bought this ring

for her?”

that

feel sad for myself, and also for the man

he doesn’t have to. His eyes hold answers

looking away from him, drinking away the tears threatening

so sad for him, all ready to propose to the obvious. love of his life, having to forcefully marry me instead. And I felt sad for me, thinking we have a connection that

and I selfishly take them to compose myself before I can look at him again. “Is there more

He pleaded. Gabriel never pleaded. He ordered. He demanded. He

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Chapter 41

and he never pleaded.

I didn’t want to go home, I didn’t want to go to a place where

worried

Why can’t you just

“This isn’t the place.”

to do their own thing, they were interested in gossip. in rumours, in the next big scandal. And I and Gabriel had been nothing short of rumours and theories and scandals when pictures of our wedding hit the net and nobody knew who I was

I nodded.

put his hand on my waist as we walked out. I didn’t want to be in the car with him, but I let

Gabriel didn’t like music, but I didn’t miss the gesture when he asked the driver to switch on the radio, letting Ed Sheeran’s voice fill the

entirety of the journey, barely waiting for the car to halt when I’d opened the

exited

a form of suffocating I didn’t expect, being in such close proximity with him now. Maybe I was overreacting, but I just needed time to process

the ear

didn’t want to

nod any way, and

room.

He says as soon as the door shuts, and then turns towards me. “I want you to know that met you,

this was all before

You mean your relationship with Lily? You wanting to marry her? You buying a ring to propose to her and then slipping

yes.” His tongue slightly licks his upper lip, the hesitance in his