Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 20: Post nuptial agreement

Kritika sat on her swing lost in thought when her phone suddenly started ringing. Frowning at the unknown number, she hesitantly answered the call.

"Hello?" Kritika said, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Aditya here," came the voice from the other end, causing Kritika's eyes to widen in surprise.

"Hello, are you there?" Aditya's impatient tone snapped her out of her reverie.

"Yes," she stammered.

"I need to see you today at 2 pm. Come to my office. There's an important matter to discuss," Aditya said abruptly before ending the call.

"What does that Khadoos want now?" Kritika muttered to herself.

Getting ready in a simple kurta, she went downstairs to inform her family. 

"Maa, paa I am going for an urgent matter." She said to her parents who were watching news. 

"What is the matter beta ?" Ishita asked. 

"Aditya wants to see me."

"Ooooooo.." The teasing voice irked her. 

"Ok bye." She waved and rushed outside. 

Standing before the imposing Singhania Company building, Kritika felt a mix of nervousness and apprehension. She entered the building and approached the receptionist, who seemed unimpressed by her presence.

"I'm here to see Mr. Aditya Singhania," Kritika announced.

"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist inquired.

"No," Kritika admitted.

"Then I'm sorry, you can't go in without one," the receptionist replied curtly.

"But he specifically asked me to come. You can check with him if you have doubts," Kritika insisted.

After making a call, the receptionist nodded and directed Kritika to Aditya's office on the 25th floor.

As she rode the elevator, Kritika tapped her foot nervously, feeling a surge of anxiety building within her. When the doors opened, she stepped out and made her way to Aditya's office.

His P.A guided her to his office. 

She glanced the cabin with aww. The room was a grey and white combination with gold plats.
Aditya's stern voice interrupted her thoughts as he addressed her from behind. Startled, Kritika turned to face him.

"Have you finished looking around? You can sit now," Aditya said, gesturing towards a chair.

"Why did you call me here?" Kritika asked, her curiosity piqued.

Aditya handed her a file without answering. As Kritika read its contents, her shock grew with each passing moment.

"A postnuptial agreement? What is this?" she demanded, looking up at him in confusion.

"As you know, this marriage is only for my parents. These are some rules and regulations you should follow after marriage," Aditya explained.

Kritika's eyes widened in disbelief. She stood up abruptly, her anger boiling to the surface.

"Mr. Singhania, let me make one thing clear. I am not your puppet to obey these rules. Spare me your nonsense. I'm leaving," Kritika declared, making a move towards the door.

"Ms. Rai, if you take one more step, you'll regret it," Aditya warned, his voice laced with authority.

"And what exactly will I regret?" Kritika challenged him, her gaze unwavering.

"Your father's company," Aditya stated bluntly.

Aditya's words hung heavy in the air as Kritika struggled to comprehend the depth of his accusation. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the sudden revelation about her family's intentions.

"What is the relation between our companies and this marriage?" Kritika's voice trembled with a mixture of disbelief and anger.

"Huh, so Ms. Rai, you didn't know the truth, did you? But don't worry, I'll enlighten you," Aditya's voice dripped with a mix of sarcasm and disdain. "You see, a business proposal was forwarded by my father to yours and your brother, suggesting that we support their business. That's the reason why you were coerced into this marriage."

Kritika's shock was palpable as Aditya's words sank in. She never anticipated such Machiavellian machinations from her own family.
"They were using me? No, this can't be possible," Kritika thought, her heart sinking with each passing moment.

But Aditya's calm demeanor only fueled her doubts. She refused to accept his words, clinging to the hope that there must be some mistake.

"I know you're lying, and I won't trust you," Kritika stated firmly, her voice tinged with disbelief and indignation.

"Why should I lie to you? If you have any doubts, I can prove it to you right now. Wait," Aditya responded, his tone calm yet resolute. He retrieved a file from the shelf and handed it to Kritika.

"This is the contract signed by your brother, Arjun. Take a look," he instructed. Kritika accepted the file and began to peruse its contents, her brows furrowing in concentration as she absorbed the information.

Aditya's offer to prove his claims only added to the turmoil raging within her. With a heavy heart, she accepted the file he handed her, her hands trembling as she flipped through its contents.As she read through the contract, Kritika's worst fears were confirmed. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the words on the page as the weight of her family's betrayal crushed her spirit.

Aditya watched her silently, his heart aching for the pain he saw reflected in her eyes. He longed to offer her comfort, to ease the burden she carried, but he knew his words would offer little solace in the face of such betrayal.

Finally, Kritika returned the file, her tear-stained cheeks a stark reminder of the pain she endured. With a steely resolve, she wiped away her tears and turned to face Aditya once more.

"Mr. Singhania, give me the agreement papers," Kritika's voice was devoid of emotion, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and resignation.

But before she could take another step, Aditya's interruption halted her movements, his words hanging in the air like an unspoken challenge.
"First, read everything. Then sign," he instructed firmly.

Kritika glared at him before reluctantly complying. As she read through the rules, her resolve hardened with each absurd demand.

"Never interfere in my personal matters," Kritika stated firmly, her gaze unwavering as she met Aditya's eyes.

"So I assume you've grasped the first rule," Aditya remarked coolly, his demeanor unyielding.

"Similarly, the rule applies to you as well. I'll have my way, and you'll have yours," Kritika retorted, her tone matching Aditya's in its resolve.

"Second rule: Don't expect anything from me, especially love," Kritika chuckled as she read the words, her laughter laced with sarcasm.

"As if I'm yearning for your affection," she quipped, rolling her eyes dismissively. Aditya's hands clenched into fists, a subtle indication of his growing impatience.

"Nor am I inclined to love you. Keep reading," Aditya responded, his tone devoid of emotion.

"Third rule: Never raise your voice against me," Aditya continued, unfazed by Kritika's defiance.

"I'm not accepting this rule, Mr. Singhania. I'll speak up if you're in the wrong," Kritika asserted firmly, refusing to concede.

"We'll address that later. Proceed to the next rule," Aditya remarked, a hint of mockery underlying his words.

"Fourth rule: Don't touch my belongings," Kritika countered, her stance unwavering as she asserted her own boundaries.

"The same applies to you, Mr. Singhania," she added pointedly, emphasizing the principle of reciprocity.

"Fifth rule: We must maintain the facade of a romantic couple in front of our families, but behind closed doors, we'll remain strangers," Aditya declared, a smirk playing on his lips as he observed Kritika's reaction.

"What on earth is this, Mr. Singhania? I refuse to accept such a rule," Kritika exclaimed, her frustration evident in her tone.

"Lower your voice, Ms. Rai. You can't deviate from the agreement," Aditya cautioned, his tone softening slightly.

"I'm warning you, Mr. Singhania. Lay a hand on me, and you'll regret it," Kritika threatened, her eyes flashing with defiance.

"Oh, I am terrified," Aditya retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Ms. Rai, I am not inclined to touch or even look at someone like you."

Kritika's eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance igniting within her. "What do you mean by 'someone like me'? Do I have horns on my head? Ah, now I see. I am special, unlike other girls," she declared proudly, refusing to let his words diminish her confidence.

"Special? My foot," Aditya scoffed dismissively, his patience wearing thin. "Now stop talking, sign this, and get out of my office," he commanded, resuming his seat behind his desk.

As she stormed out, Kritika muttered a string of curses under her breath, labeling him with various unflattering epithets. "Here are your papers. Go ahead and choke on them," she spat, her voice dripping with disdain.

With a final glare at Aditya, Kritika exited the office, leaving behind an irritated and brooding figure.