Chapter 16 – Under the Moonlight!

Diya never thought she'd wear it.

The gold anklet with tiny moon-shaped charms felt too... personal. Too real.

But here she was, sitting on the balcony, the cool night breeze brushing against her skin, wearing it anyway.

She stretched her legs, the anklet catching the silver glow of the moonlight.

"Couldn't resist, huh?"

Diya jumped.

Parth leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her.

She scowled. "Do you get some kind of thrill out of sneaking up on me?"

He smirked. "Maybe."

Diya rolled her eyes. "For your information, I just thought it looked nice with my pajamas."

Parth stepped closer. "Liar."

She inhaled sharply as he crouched in front of her, gently lifting her ankle.

His fingers brushed against her skin.

She should have pulled away.

But she didn't.

"You like it," he murmured, tracing the delicate chain with his thumb.

"I do not," she lied.

Parth looked up, amusement flickering in his gaze.

"Fine," she huffed. "Maybe a little."

A slow smile spread across his face. "I knew it."

Diya sighed dramatically. "Congratulations, CEO Malhotra. You won this round."

Parth chuckled. "I always win, sweetheart."

Her heart stuttered.

Sweetheart.

She quickly pulled her leg away and stood up.

"I should go to bed," she muttered.

But Parth wasn't letting her escape that easily.

"Diya."

She turned, hesitantly meeting his gaze.

And just like that, the teasing was gone.

"You know you don't have to pretend with me, right?" he asked softly.

Diya swallowed. Pretend?

She had spent so much time reminding herself this marriage was fake.

But sometimes... with him... it didn't feel that way.

And that was dangerous.

So she changed the subject.

"I'm opening my bakery next week."

Parth blinked. "What?"

Diya smiled. "I saved up enough money. I finally found the perfect space, and I'm making it happen."

A flicker of surprise crossed his face before it was replaced with something warmer.

"You did this all on your own?"

"Of course," she said. "I plan to expand once I earn more, but for now... this is a dream come true."

Parth was quiet for a moment. Then—

"I'm proud of you."

Diya froze.

Proud?

She expected him to be supportive, maybe even amused. But proud?

Something in her chest ached.

"Will you come?" she asked, ignoring the way her voice sounded too hopeful.

Parth smirked. "Are you asking me as your fake husband or as a businessman?"

She rolled her eyes. "As the chief guest, obviously."

He chuckled. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Diya had never been this excited.

Her bakery—her dream—was finally real.

The place was filled with friends, well-wishers, and customers.

Everything was perfect.

Until Ananya showed up.

Diya barely had time to react before Ananya grabbed the mic and cleared her throat.

"Everyone," she called out sweetly. "I have a little announcement."

Diya's stomach dropped.

Something was wrong.

Ananya's smile was dripping with malice.

"I think you all should know the truth about our dear bakery owner, Diya Roy," she said.

People turned. Whispered.

Diya's fingers tightened around her tray.

Ananya grinned. "She's not really Mrs. Malhotra, you know. It's all fake. A contract marriage. A business deal."

The bakery fell silent.

Diya's breath caught.

Ananya's eyes glittered with victory. "She's been fooling you all, pretending to be the perfect little wife when, in reality, Parth Malhotra doesn't even love her."

Diya felt nauseous.

People were staring.

Some murmured. Some laughed.

And then—

Someone whispered: "I knew it. She didn't look like his type."

Diya's heart cracked.

She wanted to fight back. To throw something at Ananya. To scream.

But she couldn't.

Because everything Ananya said was true.

This was all fake.

Parth didn't love her.

And now, everyone knew.

Diya sat in their bedroom, staring at her packed suitcase.

Her bakery was ruined.

Her reputation was ruined.

And her heart?

It was shattered.

Parth hadn't arrived in time to stop Ananya.

Maybe he didn't even care.

Maybe this was always how it was going to end.

A few months from now, the contract would expire, and they'd go their separate ways.

Why wait?

Why drag out the inevitable heartbreak?

Diya wiped her tears and zipped up her bag.

It was time to leave.

Before she lost herself in a love that was never supposed to be real.