Page 41 of Everything She Wanted

I dig my nails into my thigh and shake my head.

Yes, and it killed him. The stress of working two jobs for years with the only reprieve he found at the end of a bottle.

“Mom, it’s 2026. I want to be able to take care of myself,” I manage to say even as my heart races.

“He’s going to be your husband. You have to listen to him, not just do what you want all the time.” Her voice rises.

“You’ve been doing what you want for years, and what did it get you, huh? Don’t ruin this, too.”

“Mom, I—”

I hear her doorbell in the background.

“Preeti’s here to drop off Aman. I have to go.”

“Okay, bye, Mom.”

I let the phone drop into my lap. How would Fantasy Nisha handle this? Because I sure as hell don’t know what to do anymore.

14. My Dil Goes Mmmm

I take the SkyTrain early and get a seat, which is a small comfort after the exhausting weekend. I pull out my phone, having forgotten my book on the counter, when I see a notification pop up.

Eshaan tagged you in a post.

There I am. A candid shot of me at the wedding. A soft smile on my lips. A glow of light around me. My silver shimmery saree blends in perfectly with the stunning decor.

My heavy heart grows lighter.

No caption, just a heart.

He posted it last night, and it already has almost a hundred likes.

The post has tons of comments, but the one that catches my eye is from his cousin, Anjali.

She’s perfect.

My photo is pinned to the top of Shaan’s feed, and my heart melts a bit.

I know we have our issues, but is any relationship perfect? Truthfully, I don’t even know what a perfect relationship would look or feel like.

Everything will be okay. I don’t know how, but I feel it.

Eshaan is my happy ending, and I have to keep reminding myself of that.

“Well?” Nick leans on my door frame, looking like heartbreak.

“Well, what?” I say casually, even though my heart races every time he’s remotely near me.

“Did you send over the templates and your recommendations to help with the crisis communications plan?” He folds his arms over his broad chest.

“No.” I look away.

“Why not?”

He takes a few steps inside.

“Oh, I don’t want to step on any toes. I mean I’m sure the VP has everything under control.” I look over at him.