Chapter 45: Eighteenth Century Princess

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What authority did this woman hold over her husband?

"I understand that the contract stipulated a two-week notice for any life events to be communicated to your publicist. But, this situation came about unexpectedly, and it's her. You know what she means to me," Nithin explained, casting a meaningful glance at Analisa.

"I'll draft an email to Jane," Analisa responded, retrieving her phone. "We'll release a breakup announcement later today. If you could maintain a low profile for the time being, I would be grateful."

"Absolutely," Nithin replied, his response composed and professional.

Then, with a beaming smile, she said, "congratulations!"

Returning the smile, he turned to Vinaya, gently cradling her face in his hands. "I have to head to work now. Ana will show you around, okay?"

Vinaya looked at him, a sense of vulnerability in her gaze. He pressed a soft kiss against her lips.

"I love you, vaave," he whispered, causing a flutter of butterflies in her stomach.

"I love you too, Nittu, so much," she confessed, surprised by her own openness and honesty with him. She didn't want him to leave. She felt apprehensive, as though their love would disappear if he left the room.

Their lips met once more in a passionate kiss, and they remained lost in the moment until Analisa discreetly cleared her throat, "ahem!"

Nithin grinned sheepishly, rising to bid both girls goodbye before heading for work. He turned around and looked at Vinaya one last time before leaving.

"Alright, here are the ground rules," Analisa began, her tone switching to a more formal demeanor.

"I am your husband's girlfriend," she stated, but Vinaya interjected, "Pretend girlfriend," correcting her.

"Officially and for all intents and purposes, I am his girlfriend. We'll need to issue a statement about a mutual breakup," Analisa continued, pausing to gather her thoughts. "It should be dated after the 6th of last month, considering we attended an event together as a couple. So, approximately 5 weeks. But that timeframe would be too short for him to fall in love and propose," she mused, more to herself than to Vinaya who had wandered into the kitchen and found a coffee machine.

Vinaya prepared a cappuccino for herself, while Analisa busied herself with typing on her phone.

She couldn't comprehend it. Hadn't she moved to the US to escape public scrutiny? To break free from societal expectations? How had she found herself ensnared by them once more?

Sipping her coffee, she observed Analisa, still clad in her bathrobe. Was she Nithin's roommate? The thought of this woman parading around half-naked in front of her husband unsettled her, regardless of who she was or the nature of their relationship.

"We can debut you today," Analisa announced, ending her call. "But it'll need to be a soft introduction."

"What about your fake relationship?" Vinaya inquired calmly.

"Jane's handling it. We'll announce our breakup and spin your marriage as an arranged marriage scenario," Analisa explained.

"I won't allow you to show me as some kind of rebound in a loveless marriage," Vinaya asserted, rolling her eyes at the mention of an arranged marriage.

Analisa regarded her with a sigh. "Don't make this difficult."

"I don't understand why you needed to have a fake relationship with my husband. You can do whatever you need to do to explain how that ended. But what Nithin and I share is real. I won't have anyone believe otherwise," Vinaya asserted firmly. She didn't care that the woman across from her was a millionaire while she struggled to make ends meet on a resident's salary.

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