Page 95 of The Redemption
Attitude.The woman is something else.
Where did Parag even find her? I ignore that thought for now and turn to Samarjeet again.
“Dad would be so disappointed,” I say, almost regretfully. “He wanted you would lead his throne and protect his family. And this is how you are doing it? By practically selling off your own sister for an alliance? Do you think this would make him proud?”
Samarjeet clenches his jaw and retorts, “He’s dead. I don’t give a damn whether he’d be proud of me or not. So, don’t give me those lectures again. And get the f*ck out of this house in three days.”
With that, he storms out of the room, leaving me fuming and Mom in tears. I turn towards her and force a small smile onto my face just to ease the worry in her eyes.
“Don’t think too much about what he said,” I murmur softly, giving her hands a gentle squeeze. “Your daughter is still alive and stubborn as hell. Nothing has managed to defeat me yet.”
Mom’s glistening eyes only break me further. I lean closer and rest my forehead briefly against hers.
“I’m not leaving this place without you,” I whisper firmly. “Not in this lifetime. I promise you that.”
Her fingers rise shakily to brush my hair back the way she used to when I was younger.
“Trust me, Mom,” I say, more determined this time. “Just a little longer. Everything will change soon.”
She gives me that emotional look, the one that almost breaks me from inside. I can’t bear to stay there any longer, so before the conversation can become heavier, I leave the room.
The moment I step into the corridor, my new bodyguard follows me. I don’t look back at first. I keep walking through the mansion corridors. And still, she follows. By the time I reach the outside pool area, my patience finally runs out. I stop abruptly and turn around. Trisha halts a few feet away from me.
“I know you were assigned to do this,” I say coldly. “But I don’t like people following me around.”
She doesn’t respond. I step closer.
“So stay away from me. Don’t crowd me. And don’t hover over my shoulder every five seconds like the rest of these guards.”
A slow smirk appears across her face.
“I heard you were a tantrum princess,” she says casually. “But seeing it in person is definitely more entertaining.”
Who the hell told her that? Of course, Parag must have briefed her. And that annoys me even more.
“I’m a lot more than just a tantrum princess. Looks like whoever sent you here forgot to mention that part.”
The woman’s grin widens, clearly amused instead of intimidated.
“More?” she repeats lazily, giving me a slow once-over. “More of what exactly? Because right now, all I see is a pretty face, expensive stilettos, and anger issues.”
Wrong answer.
Without warning, I swing at her.Fast.
But Trisha blocks me immediately.Interesting.
My fist barely reaches her before she catches my wrist and twists sharply, trying to throw me off balance. I counter instinctively, spinning free of her grip and driving my elbow towards her shoulder. She ducks smoothly. Too smoothly.
She’s good.
Very good.
And now I’m irritated. When Trisha comes at me next, quick enough to punch my face, I lean back just in time. Her knuckles graze my jaw lightly, but I don’t stop. I just slam my heel towards her knee, but she hops aside with a laugh.
“Good you aren’t wearing your famous stilettoes today,” she mocks.
No one gets to mock my stilettoes.
