“Exactly, I would love to be cursed my whole life, rather than letting you touch me,” Priya remarked bitterly.
She knew she was there to break the curse, but that didn’t mean she would sacrifice herself in this way.
Even though Maya and the others had sent her there with Priyank, it wasn’t total protection. They could have just sent her alone or maybe with Levi or Rish instead.
But they had sent Priyank, which showed they wanted them to bond, something that wasn’t happening for sure.
What kind of bond could she have with him when he just got on her nerves every time they were together?
Admittedly, he had shown her some warmth recently, but it wasn’t enough to overcome everything that was happening or had happened.
“Then why did you even come with me? You should have just told everyone that you had no desire to talk with me or stay with me. It’s not like I forced you,” Priyank rolled his eyes, standing before her with anger in his eyes.
“Now, if you could make me stay with you in your penthouse without my consent, then I can make you stay here with your consent. Isn’t that fair enough?” Priya retorted with a small smirk tugging at her lips.
“Great, Angel. Great. Now you’ve even learned to be like this? Because you’ve figured out that you’re different, but your powers are locked, you’re still weak in front of me. I can do anything to you without hesitation,” he threatened, his voice dripping with malice and his facial expressions tightening.
Priya felt a chill run down her spine at Priyank’s menacing words. She had to remind herself that he couldn’t actually harm her, not with Maya and the others protecting her.
But now she is alone, so it’s scary for sure. Still, there was something deeply unsettling about the smouldering fury in his eyes.
“You’re bluffing,” she said, struggling to keep her voice steady. “You know you can’t lay a hand on me without consequence.”
Priyank laughed, a harsh mocking sound. “Who’s going to stop me? Your precious guardians? They’re not here, angel. It’s just you and me.”
He began circling her slowly, like a predator evaluating its prey. Priya fought the urge to back away, refusing to show her trepidation.
“I don’t need powers to make your life miserable,” Priyank said silkily. “A few whispered words in the right ears and you’ll find yourself friendless, powerless, with no one to turn to but me.”
Priya’s hands clenched into fists. She knew the kinds of influence he commanded in certain circles. If he truly turned against her…
No. She couldn’t let him see her fear. Straightening her shoulders, she met his gaze defiantly.
“Is that a threat? Because you’ll regret it if you try anything.”
Priyank tsked. “Such fire. I do admire your spirit, little angel.” His smile turned predatory. “But we’ll see how long that lasts when I’m through with you.”
The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air.
Priya held Priyank’s intense gaze, her heart pounding. She couldn’t let him see how deeply his threats had shaken her. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin defiantly.
“I’m not afraid of you,” she said, injecting as much conviction into her voice as she could muster. “Maya and the others will never let you harm me. Even if they are not here, they will come and check from time to time, you know right?”
Priyank threw back his head and laughed coldly. “You think they can protect you forever? They can’t be everywhere at once.” He stepped closer, his eyes glittering with malice. “There will come a moment when you’re alone, vulnerable. And then…”
He let the unspoken threat hang in the air. Priya fought back a shudder, her mouth suddenly dry. She had to find a way to regain control of this situation.
“If you’re trying to scare me, it won’t work,” she said firmly.
“I don’t respond well to this attitude,”Priyank stated.
“Huh?” Priya gasped, realization dawning. “Is this all because I left you at the altar those years ago?”
Priyank’s smile turned feral. “Who said anything about the curse? Maybe I just want to see you suffer. I was trying to be nice, but I’m still holding back the anger I have for you because of how you ran away from our marriage.”
Priya felt her stomach twist. “It was a forced marriage, if you’ve forgotten.”
“I don’t forget or forgive, sweetheart,” Priyank hissed, his eyes burning with years of pent-up rage.
Horror trickled down Priya’s spine as the pieces fell into place.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out. What could she possibly say to salve that level of betrayal in his eyes?
Priyank seemed to read the regret on her face. His lip curled in a contemptuous sneer. “Don’t bother with your excuses, angel. I’m long past caring about your reasons. All I want now is to make you feel the same soul-crushing pain you inflicted on me that day.”
Priya felt the blood drain from her face. She was suddenly terrifyingly aware that she was alone with a man consumed by bitterness and the desire for retribution, no matter the cost.
“For now it’s better if you just stay here and enjoy yourself,” Priyank said, his voice taking on a deceptively light tone that sent chills down Priya’s spine. “I don’t want to hurt you, so don’t provoke me. Do you understand?”
The underlying menace in his words was unmistakable. Priya felt her heart stammer in her chest. She was treading on extremely dangerous ground here. One wrong move and this man’s barely-restrained hatred could explode in her face.
So he was just behaving well all these days because of other people’s presence? She thought. It seems so.
Swallowing hard, she gave a small nod. “I understand.”
For now, she would have to play along, keep him calm and placated.
Priyank’s smile didn’t reach his cold eyes. “Good girl. See, we can get along just fine as long as you remember your place.” He reached out as if to touch her cheek, and Priya suppressed a flinch.
Seemingly satisfied by her fear, Priyank withdrew his hand. “Why don’t you freshen up?”
It wasn’t a request, and they both knew it. Priya could only nod tightly and make her way to the bathroom, her steps stiff, fighting the urge to run. Once the door closed behind her, she braced her trembling hands on the counter and stared at her pale, stricken reflection in the mirror.
What was she going to do? She was trapped here alone with a man so consumed by hatred that he seemed bent on her complete destruction. Priya drew a shuddering breath, panic clawing at her throat.