Page 124 of No Boss
“Who am I speaking to?” His voice rose. “I’m speaking to the woman who agreed to marry me.”
His eyes cut toward her. “What game are you playing?”
“Lakshya…”
“Don’t.” His hand lifted again, stopping short this time. “Don’t pretend this is confusion. I can see exactly what’s happening.”
People had begun to gather.
Servants paused. Guards shifted. Eyes turned.
“This was planned, wasn’t it?” He snapped. “The perfect, devoted estate manager. The simple girl who only cares about the Haveli.”
A sharp laugh escaped him.
“The owner returned and you saw your chance to rise above your place.” His voice cut deeper with each word. “Did you think no one would notice? The estate manager’s daughter climbing her way up to become Thakurain Sa? How fast you got into his bed…”
The sound cracked through the rain.
Abhinav’s fist met his jaw in a single motion.
Lakshya’s head snapped to the side. His body followed, crashing against the wet stone. The mithai box flew from his hand, ladoos scattering across the courtyard.
Rain fell, washing away the blood from his split lip.
“You will not speak to her again.” The words left no room for doubt.
Lakshya stared up, shock overtaking his anger.
Abhinav’s arm came around Meera, drawing her close against him.
She didn’t resist.
He turned toward the people watching, rain running down his shoulders.
His voice did not rise, yet it reached every corner. “What you just witnessed is what happens when someone disrespects the future Thakurain of Anand Mahal.”
The words settled over the courtyard.
Meera drew in a sharp breath.
Devendra and Gauri stood near their quarters, frozen. Lakshya’s parents hovered at the door, taken aback. Rajan stood at the back, mouth hung open in shock.
Abhinav’s hand tightened at Meera’s waist, drawing her closer still.
"Meera Chauhan is the woman I love."
Meera felt the effect of that declaration physically.
‘Love! He said love. Love! In front of everyone.’
“If anyone speaks of her with that kind of disrespect,” his voice lowered, edged with warning, “they will find their world becoming very small, very quickly.”
It wasn’t rage. It was the promise of a man who knew exactly what power he held and was prepared to use it without hesitation for the woman he loved.
Lakshya pushed himself up, swaying. “You’ve lost your mind. She’s using you. She’s…”
“Enough.”
