Her Deviant Husband | [✓]

Chapter 43

Warning For:

1.) Roy Family Fan-Club
2.) Atharva and Reyansh Simp Club
3.) Lot of Hindi-

Athira's pov.

"But I can never accept you as her husband."

Papa's voice seemed to echo louder than it was supposed to throughout the pin drop silent room, and I felt Reyansh's hand twitch in mine. The grip I had on him tightened instinctively. He didn't look at me, but I could feel the the emotions he never seemed to let out but the ones that were definitely brewing inside him.

He was trying so hard to stay composed and dignified, for my sake.

I glanced at Papa. Looking into his eyes with that puppy dog I eyes I always gave him since childhood. The ones he couldn't resist. I knew it was cheating but all is fair in love.

But he also tried to stay as firm as he could. But I could see his eyes twinkling. It was subtle but I would never miss it. I knew my papa and the way he carried himself—the unshakable confidence, the sharp gaze that could slice through any lie but his twinkling eyes and charming smile that could melt ice.

Regardless I knew one thing. I should never challenge my father. Because if he was serious... I would lose every time.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding as I waited for him to continue.

"And that's what you both think I would say, isn't it?"

I gawked at him, wide-eyed. How was he... amused right now?

"Stand up, Athira," he said, gesturing toward me.

I rose hesitantly, confused. My hand slipped from Reyansh's as Papa patted his shoulder as if asking him to stand up.

But I didn't fail to notice how his gaze turned sharp toward Reyansh, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Come on, Reyansh, get up," Papa said, his tone a mix of sarcasm and charm. "I'm not here to ruin the drama you two have so expertly created."

I saw Reyansh hesitate, his jaw tightening as he remained rooted to his seat.

"Sir, I—"

"Papa," he interrupted, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Athira calls me Papa. You're trying to steal my daughter, so at least get the title right."

I almost laughed at how Reyansh's cheeks flushed slightly as he got back to his feet. There was something undeniably endearing about the awkward way he tried to navigate his moments with my family.

"See, I know you both are being truthful this time," Papa continued, his voice calm but tinged with that familiar edge of authority. "But let's not sugarcoat the past. You've made mistakes, Reyansh. Mistakes that, frankly, made me want to wring your neck."

I winced at the sharpness of his words, and I knew Reyansh felt the weight of them too. He had hurt me, doubted me, doubted my family. And yet, here we were. I squeezed his hand gently, trying to reassure him that I was with him.

"But," Papa's tone softened, his eyes taking on a rare vulnerability, "I know what it feels like to have someone try to take away the person you love. To rip away the one thing that makes you whole."

His gaze flickered toward me, and for a moment, I saw the depth of his love for me, our family and especially his love for my maa.

It made my chest ache.

"And I could never do that to my own daughter," he said, his voice dropping.
"Even if I don't particularly enjoy the fact that she chose you and I have to deal with you for the rest of my damn life."