Page 165 of Claimed By the Maharaja
“You are the most methodical, controlled man I have ever met. You don't make impulsive decisions.”
The words sat between them.
“And the contract arrived within two hours,” she said. “It was already ready.”
She watched his face for something. Denial. Anger. Anything.
There was nothing.
Her chest ached.
“You planned all of it,” she said. “From my divorce. The job offer. The marriage.”
His face remained composed.
“You married me for revenge.” The words came out quieter now, but no less sharp. “For your pride. Because a woman with less money and less power dared to humiliate you five years ago. You couldn't let that go.”
The faintest tightening crossed his jaw.
“You didn't even want me then,” she said, and hurt slipped through the anger despite herself. “When our mothers arranged the alliance, you were indifferent. You didn't care about me. And you don't want me now. You are careful to ensure I won’t bear you a child.”
Her eyes burned.
“You are punishing me for humiliating you and your family five years ago.”
Silence.
“I'm leaving,” she said. “I am not staying in a marriage built on revenge.”
He didn't move.
“I'm leaving this palace.”
That made him finally react. There was a flicker in his eyes.
“If you leave,” he said in a calm tone, “you will be in breach of contract.”
The words were simple. And deliberate.
“I don't care,” she said.
“You will,” he replied. “Contract breach won't affect only you.”
Her heart stuttered. “What does that mean?”
“The contract includes clauses that extend beyond personal separation. Financial penalties. Public consequences. Reputational damage.”
He let that sit.
“You signed it.”
She stared at him.
Her hands were trembling now. “You would hurt my family?”
“I would enforce what you agreed to.”
His tone was quiet, unemotional, and factual.
