Aryamann's POV:

Thirty days passed by in a blur. Sammy was given the all-clear a couple of days ago, and today, here we are, back in Mumbai.

In the house we lived in while we were married.

Over the last month, I had experts come in to baby-proof the house and also prepare the room next to our bedroom into a nursery for the boys.

I didn't pull any stops when it came to spoiling my boys and Bhumi.

But, yes, at times I have remained strict with the boys too. Because they are being spoiled rotten by three families.

I watched as tears welled up in Bhumi's eyes when she stepped into our bedroom.

It was just the same way she left.

"You didn't change anything?" She asked, looking at the fairy night lamp she had bought long back.

When switched on, it reflects images of stars and the moon on the ceiling. At that time, I had rebuked her for being childish. But she was stubborn about keeping it. And once she left, I used to spend hours staring at the stars and moon reflected by the lamp.

"Why would I?" I asked.

As she opened the cupboard to keep her bag in it, she looked in surprise as she saw all the clothes she left behind still there.

"They might not fit you anymore, I guess," I said, walking towards her.

She looked up at me with a frown.

"Are you saying that I am fat now?" She asked, and I looked at her in horror.

"When did I say that?"

"You just said these dresses won't fit me anymore," she said accusingly.

"What I meant is, after pregnancy and feeding, you have become a bit more curvy. Not fat. And let me tell you, your curves are gorgeous. You have only become more beautiful," I said huskily and wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer.

"Aryamann, leave me. Someone will come," she said, trying to get out of my hold.

"Let them come. You are my wife. I refuse to romance you only behind the closed doors of our bedroom. You are not a dirty little secret to do that. You are my legally wedded wife, and let people get used to seeing that," I said and was once again fascinated by the blush spreading across her cheeks.

"You are shameless," she said.

"Always have been, my love," I whispered huskily and leaned forward for a much-needed kiss.

But we were interrupted by two tornados.

"Mommy! Mommy!" They both came into the room, running excitedly, and I let out a soft groan.

Okay, this comes with parenthood. I have to get used to that.

"Hey, hey. Slow down. Don't run around," Bhumi said in panic as she rushed to hold them down.

She is still paranoid about them getting sick or injured. Sammy's illness has scared her, and I hope she won't turn into an overprotective mother who smothers their kids.

"Come, mommy. Come see our room," The boys urged and pulled Bhumi into the room adjacent to ours. I lazily followed.

"Woah," Bhumi breathed out seeing the nursery.

There were two little beds in the centre. One wall of the nursery was painted with murals of everything related to Peter Pan. I had learned from the twins that they absolutely love Peter Pan and his adventures.

Another wall had shelves in which a whole series of Peter Pan books were there, along with some other storybooks. I have also ordered colouring books, colouring pencils, and all sorts of things that the boys would enjoy doing.

Then the third wall had cupboards, full of clothes and toys for them.

And near the window of the room, I had the workers set up two sets of desks and chairs, suitable for three to five-year-olds, where the boys can sit and work.

"This is gorgeous. You did this?" Bhumi asked.

"Well, I didn't exactly do all this. But yes, this was my idea and I had people brought in to do all this. And about the clothes, Aditi went into a shopping spree and bought whatever she thought necessary. You can keep them if you like them. Or you can replace them with whatever you like. It's up to you," I said.

Bhumi opened the cupboard door and checked all the clothes in there.

"There are two sets of everything," Bhumi said.

"I told Aditi to buy it. I know you are obsessed with dressing them up in similar clothes," I said with a small smile on my face.

"I am not obsessed," Bhumi said, in an offended tone, and I just laughed at that.

Bhumi's POV:

It is such a treat always to watch him laugh.

It fills my heart with a certain warmth.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the bedroom, just like how I left it. And now this nursery.

It is such a beautiful one. And my boys would enjoy even staying in.

As I looked out through the window, down into the gardens, I saw that a small part of the garden ground was turned into a park, with swings and some other things that the boys would absolutely love.

"You created a park at home," I said in amusement.

"Well, I thought it is better to keep Sammy in without exposing him much to the outer world for a couple of years. And he would be bored if we always kept him inside the house. So I thought, to make something that would interest the boys," Aryamann said.

"That's so thoughtful. I appreciate it," I said emotionally.

He had thought through everything. When Aryamann is around, there seems to be nothing to worry about.

"And I would like to introduce the boys to my relatives and business associates. If you are okay with that, Bhumi," Aryamann said.

"They are your sons, Aryamann. You don't have to ask my permission for anything. But I do appreciate you letting me know everything related to them," I said.

"Well, I was planning on hosting a small party at home. Just the immediate circle. And one of your journalist friends could be given access to take photographs," Aryamann said, and I simply nodded.

"Great. I will ask Aunt Natalie to come in and take measurements for a new dress for you," Aryamann said.

"Aryamann, there is no need for that. There are many dresses hanging in the cupboard. Dresses I haven't even used. I am sure, I can have them altered to fit," I protested.

"They are outdated fashions, Bhumi. I am no expert in women's apparel. But I do know that what was 'in' three years ago, must definitely be 'out' now," Aryamann said.

"So, what am I supposed to do with those dresses?" I asked in annoyance.

"Give them to charity shops," Aryamann said with a shrug, making me huff in annoyance.

He did something on the phone and then looked at me.

"Aunt Natalie will be here in the evening. You remember her?" Aryamann asked, and I nodded.

Natalie Sinha is a dear friend of Aryamann's mother, Darsha Maa. She is the same designer who made the dress for my first date with Aryamann.

In the evening, Natalie Sinha came in with her assistant.

"Bhumi, darling, it is such a pleasure to meet you again," she said and pulled me into a warm hug.

"You too, Aunt Natalie," I said, with a polite smile.

This woman had always been friendly with me during our short encounters in the past.

"Heard that you didn't come alone. Where are the little Mehrotras?" She asked with a wink, making me laugh.

"Abhi, Sammy. Come here," I called out to them loudly from the visitor's room on the first floor, not far away from the nursery.

"We are busy, mommy," came the pat response from the boys, who shouted the words in unison.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

"Come here for a moment. Someone here wants to meet you," I called out again.

I saw them walking towards us with a sulky look on their faces. They didn't like being interrupted while playing.

"Oh God! They are xerox copies of Aryamann," Aunt Natalie gushed, watching them in awe.

"Okay, boys, introduce yourselves," I said softly.

"Abhay Mehlotla," Abhi said.

"Samalth Mehlotla," Sammy said.

"And this is Natalie Sinha. Your Darsha dadi's best friend," I said.

"Hello, Natalie dadi," both the boys said in unison, and my eyes widened hearing them calling Natalie as dadi.

"Oh, just call her Aunt Nata-" I was cut off when Natalie waved her hands dismissively.

"It's okay, Bhumi. As it is, I don't have grandchildren to call me dadi. Let them call so. Darsha's grandkids are mine too," she said with a shrug.

"Can we go, mommy?" Abhi asked impatiently, and I nodded.

"Careful," I called out as they raced back to the nursery.

Third person's POV:

Harini stared at the photograph of Bhumi with such loathing.

"No. No. I won't let this happen. Aryamann is mine. I won't let Bhumika f**king Basu to come in between us," she spoke to herself.

"What are you going to do now?" Brenda, Harini's closest friend, and ally asked.

"I am going to get him back. He was mine first. He will remain mine forever," Harini said.

"I still don't understand why you left Aryamann and married Ranbir in the first place. Why would you do something so foolish?" Brenda asked in confusion.

"Back then, Aryamann had decided to pursue a course in art. He wanted to be independent. Startup from scratch. I was horrified when he told me about it. I loved him, but I wasn't ready to struggle through my life. I was only twenty for heaven's sake. Can you imagine what would have happened if I stood by him?" Harini asked in distaste.

"Why would you marry Ranbir?" Brenda asked, not hiding her disgust about her best friend's ex-husband.

"Naksh Mehrotra chose Ranbir as his successor when Aryamann relinquished his rights. Gaurav was too young at that time. Ranbir could have offered me everything I wanted if he was able to take over," Harini said furiously.

Brenda scoffed.

"You should at least have kept your affair a secret until the paperwork was done," Brenda said.

"You think I don't know that? Aryamann was never supposed to find out until after all the formalities were done," Harini muttered furiously.

"When it was found out, why didn't you end it with Ranbir?" Brenda asked.

"Sex. It was awesome with Ranbir. Not that it wasn't with Aryamann. No one can beat Aryamann when it comes to that. But he was never interested. He wanted more of an emotional connection. He was too damaged for me. Emotionally. I just couldn't handle that," Harini said.

Brenda shook her head in disbelief.

"Even then, was it necessary to marry Ranbir? Honestly, I hate that guy. You have no idea how many times he tried to hit on me. I didn't tell you back then because I didn't want to upset you," Brenda said in disgust.

"Honestly. He was all words. I got what I never got from Aryamann. All Aryamann wanted was someone beside him. I don't even remember hearing a compliment from him. No gifts. He gets me whatever I want. But I always had to ask. It was different with Ranbir. He got me gifts without me asking. He took me on trips, picnics. Life was fun with him. And though he wasn't as rich as Aryamann, he still was a Mehrotra and had enough assets to his name. His family even had their own business. How am I to know that he would ruin it all down the lane," Harini asked in annoyance.

"Well, at least now you realise. I still can't understand how he managed to fool you over the years. You never once suspected that he was cheating on you?" Brenda asked.

An angry reddish hue covered Harini's cheeks.

"Let's not talk about Ranbir anymore. He is a closed chapter now. Only Aryamann matters anymore," Harini said stubbornly.

"What makes you think that he will welcome you back?" Brenda asked.

"That night a couple of months ago definitely had consequences. This baby is going to be my bargaining chip," Harini said, with an evil smirk, as she placed a hand over her tummy.

A/N

The completed ebook of Wife : Bought & Paid For is now available to download in my stck page : SFwrites. Its only 125 INR.. Those who wish to download the ebook, please check out my stck page.

Also, I have started updating Arohi's story here in wattpad. BRIDE FOR HIRE. Please check it out too..

BRIDE FOR HIRE - BLURB

Arohi Sharma had her life planned out. Finish her course and be a successful patissier. But a short sabbatical after her course, changes her whole life.

Enter Kashinath Agnivanshi, the dark and dangerous billionaire, who is popularly known as the heartless heartbreaker, and a lovely five year old who worms her way into Arohi's heart.

Soon she is juggling between a vacation, a kid and the growing attraction to the billionaire Agnivanshi.

Add to the already complex life, she was proposed for a contract marriage!

Things get scorching pretty soon.

Will Arohi be able to keep her heart intact when the heartless heartbreaker is in the scene?

EXTRACT -

"You b*tch," Kashinath roared, looking at me with hatred and my heart broke into a million pieces.

"Kashi, please listen to me once. I can explain. Trust me," I pleaded with him, but I can already see that he was far, far away from me.

"Trust?" Kashinath asked, with a humourless laugh.

"It is not how it looks, Kashi. I was set up." I tried to prove my innocence once again.

"Come up with a better excuse, Arohi," Kashinath said with a scoff.

"You are trusting her over me?" I asked, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

"I trust what I saw, Arohi. I trust the proof." Kashinath said, staring at me coldly.

"If what we had meant anything to you, please hear me out." I begged once again.

"What we had! What we had was fantastic s*x. Which, honestly, was beginning to lose its charm too," he said ruthlessly and I gasped at the pain I felt.

I never realised that the heartache could be felt so physically.

Haa! Why do people call it a heartbreak, when every single cell of my body feels broken now?

LOVE,

SF❤️