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?”

small nod. “I did, but that was long

feel angry, but I don’t. I just feel sad for myself, and also for the man in

have to. His eyes hold

from him, drinking away the tears threatening to make

his hand go. I couldn’t hold it anymore, not even for pretence. I felt so sad for him, all ready to propose to the obvious. love of his life, having to forcefully marry me instead. And

compose myself before I can look at him again. “Is there more to it or is

we go home?” He pleaded. Gabriel never pleaded. He

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12:33 Tue, Jun 4

Chapter 41

and he never pleaded.

home, I didn’t want to go to a place where every wall reminded me of how naive

worried

is it? Why can’t you

“This isn’t the place.”

big scandal. And I and Gabriel had been nothing short of rumours and theories and scandals when pictures of our wedding hit the net

I nodded.

be held by him, but 1 let him put his hand on my waist as we walked out. I didn’t want to be in the car with him, but I let him open the door to the

the car, staring out at passing city lights while the driver drove. Gabriel didn’t like music, but

the window for the entirety of the journey, barely waiting for the

exited

such close proximity with him now. Maybe I was overreacting, but

the first floor, leaving the ear

want to

nod any way, and then

room.

as the door shuts, and then turns towards me.

all before

to marry her? You buying a ring to propose to her and then slipping it onto my finger like I was a replacement for her- which I probably was to you, wasn’t

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