Page 122 of Claimed By the Maharaja
“Okay,” Pooja said slowly. “That is—I understand why you're upset. But why would he put that clause in?”
“Because this marriage is based on revenge,” Yamini said, letting out her long-held suspicion. “He married me to punish me for humiliating him five years ago.”
Pooja was quiet for a moment.
Then she said, “If Bharat Jogra wanted revenge on you, he would not have gifted your great-grandmother's necklace.”
Yamini’s hand automatically lifted to her chest.
She was wearing the pendant. She had put it back on that morning.
She wore it because it belonged to her family. Not because he gifted it to her.
“He would not have given you the best commercial studio in the country,” Pooja continued. “He would not have gone with you to your parents’ home.He would not have allowed a stray kitten to live in his palace.” Pooja paused. “A man planning revenge doesn't do any of those things.”
“All those things are his way to control me,” Yamini said. “To keep me in check.”
Pooja didn’t look too convinced.
“Or maybe—” Pooja said. “Is it possible that he put that clause in because he wanted time?”
Yamini looked at her.
“You barely knew each other,” Pooja continued. “You met only once five years ago during your engagement. Maybe he wanted time to actually know his wife before children complicated everything.”
That sounded absurd.
Nothing about Bharat Jogra suggested he was interested in building a marriage with her.
He didn’t even kiss me.
She had felt his warm breath on her lips, but his mouth never touched hers.
He didn’t want intimacy. He only wanted control.
Pooja suddenly sat up straighter. “You know what you should do?”
“What?”
“Seduce your husband.”
Yamini nearly dropped her tea. “What?”
Pooja’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Lower his walls. Seduce him. Show him you want him. Earn his trust. Make him fall in love.”
Yamini shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
Seduce Bharat Jogra?
It was a ridiculous suggestion.
She didn’t want his trust. Definitely not his love.
She only wanted a child.
She wanted to fulfil the contract sooner because it would mean she could walk away sooner.
That’s all there was to it. Nothing more.
