Page 33 of Every Move You Make
Shauna glanced around her grandfather’s office while he finished his call, unable to keep still. The space, with its towering glass windows overlooking the city, carried the familiar scent of leather chairs and polished wood. She drew in a deep breath, trying to steady the nerves buzzing beneath her skin as she looked out at the view.
Mumbai stretched out in all its glittering glory far below—fast, loud, unstoppable. And here, high above it all, her grandfather ruled the media empire that helped shape the city’s stories.
“Shauna, my darling,” her grandfather finally said from behind his desk. “Sorry, I had to take that call. Why don’t you take a seat?”
He gestured toward the sitting area, and she settled into one of the armchairs, crossing her legs and schooling her expression into one of calm interest.
“What was all that about?” she asked lightly.
He paused mid-movement as he opened a drawer, his attention flicking to her. “What do you mean? My phone call?”
“No. Earlier,” she clarified. “You and Mr. Malhotra, and even Akash… it felt like there’s more happening than what I’m seeing.”
Lifting a manila envelope, he shut the drawer gently and straightened, studying her in his quiet, careful way.
“What makes you think that?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she said, keeping her tone neutral, even as a small knot sat stubbornly in her chest. “Maybe I’m overthinking it. But Akash… and you… and the way Mr. Malhotra spoke… it seemed as if something important was happening.”
His features remained kind, but there was a depth there she couldn’t quite read.
“I’ll explain everything in a bit,” her grandfather said, taking the chair beside her. He dropped the unmarked envelope onto the coffee table in front of her. “First, let me tell you how proud I am of you and everything you’ve achieved.”
“Thank you,” she said softly. “You know that means a lot coming from you.”
“Shauna, I know why you requested this meeting. I know what you want. What your dreams are.”
The tightness in her chest loosened. Relief and excitement flooded through her, buoying her right back up. Of course, he knew. Everyone in the family knew exactly what she wanted—to step into her grandfather’s shoes and continue his legacy. She wanted to be at the helm of Sehgal Media as its driving force, leading it to a brighter future.They had all discouraged her, but she had stood firm. And now she was delighted that her grandfather was finally seeing it too.
Her hopes rose. This was it. The moment she’d been waiting for. She opened her mouth to ask him for what she wanted but stopped short when she saw the unease in his expression.
He exhaled slowly, looking thoughtful. His old, experienced eyes held hers a moment too long. A hint of sorrow crossed hisface. And just like that, the faint prickle at the back of her mind returned.
“I have dreaded this day for a long time,” he finally said.
Her breath stilled.
“There is no easy way to say this,”he continued, his voice gentle but steady.“But Sehgal Media… it is not your destiny.”
The words hit like a punch to her gut.
“What?” she shot out.
“Sehgal Media belongs to someone else,” he said. “Someone else was born to lead it. Someone I cannot deny their rightful place.”
Her pulse roared in her ears. Her chest tightened painfully. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out at first. Confusion warred with disbelief.
“What are you talking about?” she asked. “Who are you talking about?”
Despite her questions, a cold suspicion curled inside her. There was onlyoneperson he could possibly mean. Only one person he’d been quietly grooming other than her. Only one person who always wore that smug confidence around her, like he knew exactly what she wanted and knew he was going to snatch it from her.
“Surely you don’t mean Akash,” she said, disbelief scraping through her voice. “He’s not family. You can’t seriously be thinking of handing Sehgal Media to an outsider.”
Her grandfather’s expression tightened. “Akash is as much my family as you are. He’s a good boy.”
Anger churned inside her at his words.
“What magic has he woven around you that you cannot see him for the sly, cocky bastard he is?—”
