Page 199 of Claimed By the Maharaja
She didn't have to turn around. It was Pooja.
Pooja came in with a takeout bag in one hand, worry written across her face.
Sheru trotted over and wound around Pooja's ankles before she'd even put the bag down.
Pooja crouched briefly to scratch his ears. “At least someone's happy to see me.”
Pooja then crossed the room and pulled Yamini into a hug.
Yamini stiffened, then let herself lean into it for a moment.
“You look terrible,” Pooja said. “Have you eaten anything all day?”
“I've been working.”
“You have been avoiding me,” Pooja said.
Yamini turned back to her screen and started rearranging folders that didn't need rearranging.
Pooja had been calling for two weeks. Dropping by. Asking the same question in different ways.What happened. Why did you leave? What did he do?
Yamini had deflected every time.
Today wasn't going to be easier.
Pooja pulled a stool over and sat down.
“Jogra security said you haven't left the apartment since yesterday.”
Yamini was irritated. She had asked them to leave multiple times. They were still outside guarding the apartment day and night.
“I'm asking again,” Pooja said gently. “What happened between you and Bharat Jogra?”
Yamini kept her eyes on the screen.
“It's over,” she said.
Pooja drew in a breath. “What do you mean by that?”
“The contract marriage is finished.”
The words made her chest ache.
“You've been saying that for two weeks,” Pooja said. “That's not really an answer.”
“It's the only one you're getting.”
Pooja's expression softened. “You looked so happy. The two of you looked perfect together.”
Yamini's jaw tightened. “All of that was an illusion.”
“No,” Pooja said. “You were glowing.”
Yamini clicked to the next image too fast, misjudged the crop, and had to undo it.
“Did he cheat on you?” Pooja asked hesitantly. “Like Rahul?”
“No.”
