Fixation (Fatal Attraction #3)

Chapter 21

21

I t was ten in the night when Reina finally neared Vedant’s bedroom. Su Min had left earlier in the day. Reina had parted from her with a hug and a promise to be in touch when she herself left from here. Reina had just been thankful that they hadn’t parted on a bad note, despite their minor altercation earlier.

Su Min had gone, but Laila had stubbornly stayed back. She claimed she wouldn’t go unless Vedant himself asked her to leave. Irritated by her behaviour, Reina had stayed clear of her for the rest of the day. She had more pressing problems to think about; Laila’s tantrums were the least of her concerns. Vedant would ensure she left; she was certain of that. But so far, she hadn’t gotten a chance to speak to him.

She’d tried several times to meet him, but each time, she’d been turned away by Tyrion. He’d told her that Vedant was busy and didn’t want to be disturbed. She figured he was inundated with work because he’d even skipped his physio session. She breathed out. She was here now, and they’d finally have this much-anticipated talk. He needed to know she was Reina Mehra, Navya’s sister. He needed to know everything about her. No more delaying this.

However, his entire demeanour was sombre when she finally walked inside. He didn’t accost her like he usually did, and didn’t pull her to him and kiss her senseless like she’d expected him to. In fact, he sat on his sofa watching her.

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Of course. Please sit. I’ve had a rather long day.”

“Are you in pain? Do you need something?”

“I’m just exhausted, Reina,” he said.

Relieved, she dropped onto the sofa beside him. He immediately rose, opened a bottle of water, and gulped it down. This time, he took a seat on the armchair next to her. Strange.

He’s just tired, she told herself.

“You missed your physio,” she said. “I know you’ve been busy, but this is important for your recovery.”

He pushed his glasses up his nose. “Yes. I know. Anyway, Tyrion mentioned that you’ve been wanting to talk to me.”

He looked worn out and exhausted. Her heart went to him.

“You need to take it easy, you know,” she said gently. “Don’t stress yourself out.”

“It’s imperative that I work. Now more than ever.”

“Has something happened?” she queried.

He didn’t reply. She studied him carefully. His shoulders were tense, and his right fist was clenching and unclenching.

She put her hand atop his. “What is wrong? Talk to me.”

“I’m fine.” He moved his hand from under hers. “What did you want to talk about?”

A chill swept over her. Something was definitely not right with him. He was behaving most unlike himself. It felt like… like…

“Why are you pushing me away?” she blurted out.

His eyes zeroed in on hers. She felt like she was looking into a cold stormy sea. Standing, he walked to the open terrace doors. Thunder rent the sky, followed by lightning, and then it began to pour. The mood outside reflected the situation inside this room. Vedant silently twisted the ring on his pinkie finger, watching the rain come down.

“Hey,” she pressed his elbow, “Tell me what is bothering you.”

He turned and faced her. “Can I be honest?”

“Of course.”

He shifted out of her hold. “Reina, I can’t do this… us… anymore.”

She froze. Surely, she hadn’t heard him correctly? But there was no mistaking the cold expression on his face, the steel in his voice, and the ice in his eyes. She was not stupid. She knew exactly what he was telling her. But then, what had this morning been about? And last night? And the nights and days before that?

“I’m not sure I understand,” she murmured. “You were perfectly fine until a few hours ago.”

“Was I? If I recall, I was pushing you away, but you insisted on having a rendezvous in my office.”

“That was not what had happened at all.” She disliked the way he was twisting what had been a special moment into something sordid.

“Vedant,” she began, “What is going on here?”

“Fine, I’ll spell it out. I am not a one-woman kind of man. You and I… We had fun , but I think it’s time to end it.”

Denial rushed to her lips, but she forced them close as she studied his cold demeanour and the meaning behind his cruel words.

“Let me get this clear,” she began, “You wooed me and seduced me for fun ?”

“Even you can’t deny that it was fun .”

Her heart twisted.

“You know, I’d always been curious about you…” He lifted a hand to caress her jaw, but she slapped it away. He smirked. “So much fire, so defiant, so stubborn, so much hidden beauty. You posed quite a challenge. But now, I’m bored.”

Bored? He was bored of her? She felt her heart crack. Here, she’d been wanting more from him. She’d been wanting to lay down all her secrets at his feet, and she’d been nothing but a challenge to him!

Her eyes burned, but she wouldn’t shed a tear. He didn’t deserve it.

He continued, unconcerned that he was shattering her heart, “Laila told me how you saved my life despite being banned from the operation theatre. That was the moment I realised I wanted you. You ought to know that I always get what I want. I wanted to make you mine, and so I did. Of course, you didn’t make it easy. But the chase was worth it, da ?”

He shrugged casually, confirming that it had all indeed been a game to him. As if she had been a round to be won. She stared at his cold, hard face. The face of the silent lady-killer. The one whose calm and quiet charm won over women. The man who never dated a woman more than once. Wasn’t that what she’d read about him? Yet, she’d expected more from him? He’d led her to believe that. He had.

Her temper rose. “Fucking bastard.”

He’d told her he was the cold brother, the calm one. The one they sent to win contracts because he could leave his emotions aside. The one who got what he wanted. He’d done the same with her. She just had been too na?ve to see through him.

“Oh, come on, Reina, don’t be nasty just because your thoughts don’t align with mine.” He clucked his tongue. “What am I thinking? Of course, a virgin like you must have thought that you and I could become more. The truth is far from it. You’re such a plain Jane. You could never keep a man like me captivated for too long.”

His words stabbed into her, wounding her heart and her soul. She’d made the biggest mistake of her life with him. He was a horrible human being. She’d trusted him not to hurt her, and he’d done exactly that. Anger swept over her. She allowed it to consume her. She allowed it to push her pain to the background.

“Men like you only know to use a woman for pleasure,” she spat out. “Why the hell did I think you could be different? I wish I’d never met you. I wish I’d never…”

“Go on… say it,” he prompted. “Say that you regret saving my life.”

She lifted her chin. “I am a doctor. I saved you because it is my job to do so. I don’t regret that. What I do regret, however, is getting comfortable and lowering my guard around you. I regret trusting you. I don’t trust easily, and you proved once again that men like you ought never to be trusted.”

She thought she saw a fleeting change of expression on his face before his expression hardened again.

“Are we done now?” he asked. “I have someone else coming to meet me.”

How had she misjudged him so thoroughly? She’d been building castles in the air, dreaming about taking their relationship forward. Oh, what a fool she’d been. While she’d been falling in love, he’d only been using her for his own entertainment. Her heart lurched. Fuck. Great time to come to that awful realisation. Love… How could she love an asshole like him? She couldn’t and wouldn’t. She’d forget him even if that was the last thing she ever did.

A knock on the door prevented her from further lashing out.

Laila popped her head in. “Mr. Oshnov, you called for me?”

“Yes, please come in. Dr. Singh and I have just finished.”

Laila passed her without any acknowledgement. She gave Vedant a wide smile, and he returned it. Laila asked him about his health and his day, and engaged in more small talk with him. Reina watched him reply to her easily. They looked comfortable together. Her heart sank. Oh God. Laila had been crushing on him since days. Laila was fun and spunky, much unlike Reina.

Vedant had called Reina a plain Jane—exactly the words Laila had used on her. Did that mean anything? Of course, it means something, you fool , she cursed herself. He may have already bedded Laila, for all she knew. Maybe they’d planned her humiliation together.

That made sense, didn’t it? After all, Laila had told him about Reina being banned from the operation theatre. And after his terrible behaviour just now, she couldn’t and wouldn’t put anything past him. The two of them together must have had a huge laugh at her expense. Perhaps that’s why he’d called Laila now, to tell her how he’d ended it with Reina and how she’d reacted to that. She vibrated with anger. She was so mad at him and at herself for being drawn into his web.

Fuck, she’d been a complete idiot. Su Min was right. She ought to pay more attention to her surroundings and the people in them. God, she’d been a fool over him.

“Dr. Singh, do you need anything else?” Vedant asked. “If not, then I need to talk to Laila.”

Laila? Since when did Vedant address her as Laila and not Dr. Jones? His familiarity with the other woman stung. But she’d never show her emotions to this emotionless man.

“Mr. Oshnov,” Reina began, “Since you already agreed with me that you don’t need four people in your medical team anymore, I will bid you goodnight and goodbye. Instruct your security to allow me to leave tomorrow morning. Post that, you are free to do what you want with the rest of the team here.”

His straightened. “I didn’t agree to you leaving.”

“The others on my team are capable of looking after you, as you well know. You don’t need me around.”

“Absolutely, we can do very well without Dr. Singh,” Laila said.

Her temper frayed. She was one second away from slapping this woman who thought she had all the right to butt in between their conversation.

Vedant stared at Reina. “You’re not going anywhere.” His words sounded final, igniting her fury.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” she yelled.

Why the hell would he want to keep her here? It made no sense. From the corner of her eye, she saw Laila’s eyes widen.

“Have you forgotten that I am the man holding you hostage?” Vedant straightened to his full height. “You aren’t going anywhere, and that is final. Do remember your place in my house. After all, I am paying a lot of money for you to do your job here, and it isn’t finished yet.”

She stared at him, unable to believe his haughty words.

“Now, if there is nothing else, Dr. Singh,” he said. “I need to have a private chat with Laila.”

She stared between the two of them. Her jaw taut, she said, “My apologies. Do carry on.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Dr. Singh,” Vedant said.

Without acknowledging him, she walked out of his door. She was so done here.