Page 55 of Every Move You Make
Her eyes widened. “I’ll marry you only if you agree to my terms.”
“By the time we’re done,” he said calmly, taking the seat facing her, “we’ll both have exactly what we want.”
Her brows drew together in surprise. He lowered his gaze to the page instead. He’d spent most of the previous night thinking through what she might demand, anticipating the boundaries she would draw and the safeguards she would insist on. Much of it was exactly as he’d expected. Some of it he was willing, even prepared, to concede.
“Let’s start from the top. You want the Group CEO role,” he said finally, looking up. “With operational control over GVN, SEHVA, and the Studios.”
She nodded.
“Done,” he said easily. “I’ll remain Managing Director. I’ll deal with the board, handle governance, and long-term strategy. I’ve never believed in running this place alone. You taking full operational charge frees me to focus on where I’m actually needed. So I agree.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. Clearly, she’d been expecting a battle. But he’d anticipated this from her. She’d wanted Sehgal Media for far too long not to ask for the CEO position. And like he’d said, he was happy with her running the business so he could focus on growing it. Her expression cleared, and she sipped her coffee.
He skimmed the next clause while drinking his tea and let out a quiet huff of amusement.
“Financial independence,” he read aloud. “Your assets, income, and professional earnings remain solely yours. No mixing of personal finances unless explicitly agreed to in writing.”
He looked up at her then, one brow lifting. “You know I don’t want your money, right?”
She placed her cup on the table. “I just want everything to be clear. Money complicates things. And when it isn’t spelled out, it leads to assumptions. I don’t want misunderstandings later about what belongs to whom or what either of us owes the other.”
He nodded once. “Fair. We each keep what we own, now and in the future.”
He paused at the next clause.
“Duration,” he read aloud. “Two years.”
Shauna’s chin lifted a fraction. “It’s sufficient.”
“It isn’t.”
Her eyes narrowed. “It’s more than enough time to stabilize things.”
“For you, maybe,” he said evenly. “Not for me.”
She folded her arms. “I’m not interested in being bound indefinitely, Akash.”
“And I’m not interested in a timeline that collapses the moment it becomes inconvenient,” he countered. “Two years won’t establish my credibility. It won’t silence the board. It won’t stop people from questioning whether I truly belong here, especially if I can’t even hold on to a marriage.”
She studied him, weighing his words.
“I need time,” he continued. “Time to settle into this role so completely that even if we do go our separate ways, no one can question my authority or the legitimacy of how I got here.”
“And how much time do you think that takes?” she asked coolly.
“Five years,” he said without hesitation.
Her breath hitched. “Five years?”
“Yes,” he replied.
Silence stretched between them.
“That’s too long,” she said finally.
“It’s realistic,” he countered calmly. “And it’s the only duration I’m willing to agree to.”
She leaned back, her eyes sharp as she studied him carefully.
