Chapter One

Iridescence

@Iridescence1

Chapter One

Dutta

I stride toward the pool house, each step deliberate, my resolve firm. I can’t keep avoiding this conversation. It should have happened yesterday—hell, two weeks ago. I’ve given her enough time to cool down, to accept the reality of our marriage. Her anger may be justified, but ignoring the situation? Ignoring me? That’s not an option.

My irritation rises at the mere thought of my own predicament. What the hell was I thinking with this harebrained plan? I’ve lost my damn mind.

Maybe if I had a clue on how to explain this whole situation, I would’ve forced this conversation sooner. But I don’t. And honestly, I’m not used to explaining myself to anyone.

I am Dutta Sriram Patil. A man of power and money. When I speak, people listen. They do as I say—no questions asked. And when they defy me, there are consequences.

Unfortunately, my wife doesn’t seem to care who I am. I know she won’t make this easy, and that only darkens my mood further. Maybe that’s why I push open the door without knocking.

My mother would be disappointed in my lack of manners, but to hell with it. This is my pool house. I don’t have to knock if I don’t want to. Besides, it’s not like this is her home.

She’s on the couch, leaning against the armrest, staring blankly ahead, lost in thought. The moment she senses me, she tenses.

“We’re going to talk,” I say, stepping closer.

She springs off the couch, moving in the opposite direction, clearly intending to escape. Anticipating her move, I block her path.

She keeps her head down, trying to slip past me, but I mirror her every step.

A frustrated huff escapes her, and then she finally looks up. Emerald eyes, blazing with irritation, lock onto mine.

I smirk. Gotcha.

She scowls.

I give her a moment to accept the inevitable. Then I step into her space, intending to intimidate her. Instantly, I regret it. Her scent—something soft and feminine—wraps around me, hitting me like a punch to the gut.

Damn it.

“Nakusha, we’re going to talk whether you like it or not,” I say, harsher than I intend.

A fire sparks in her eyes, and for a second, I forget what I was saying. Her eyes are striking on their own, but when they burn like this, they’re mesmerizing.

“You arrogant—” She stops herself, clenching her fists and closing her eyes as if physically restraining her words.

I watch, fascinated, as she takes a deep breath. Her face clears, emotions wiped away in an instant. Then those eyes snap open and fix on mine.

“I don’t take orders from you,” she says, voice firm.

I raise an eyebrow but keep my expression blank. No way in hell am I letting her see how much her defiance stuns me—or how much the emotions swirling in her beautiful eyes stir something unfamiliar inside me.

She tries to move past me again, and this time, I grab her wrist, stopping her in place.

“We need to talk about our marriage, Nakusha,” I say, my tone leaving no room for argument.

She jerks her wrist, and I release her before I hurt her.

“Oh, now I have a say?” she scoffs, eyes flashing with accusation. “I thought I was just supposed to accept whatever decisions others make for me.”

My stomach twists uncomfortably seeing the pain and disgust in her eyes.

Damn it. She has no clue what’s really happening.

I should explain, make her understand. But that requires her actually wanting to listen—something I know she’s not ready to do. Not when she’s this pissed.

It’s a shame she didn’t show this fire earlier. Maybe we wouldn’t be in this situation. Then again, looking at her now, that same fire might have made things even more complicated.

Shoving those thoughts aside, I lean in, bringing my face close to hers threateningly. She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t step back. Instead, she tilts her chin up, daring me.

Do your worst, her stance says.

With Goddamn pleasure, I silently accept.

“We need to discuss the terms of our divorce,” I say, taking satisfaction in the shock that flickers across her face.

Then, without another word, I turn and walk out of the pool house.

Now that I have her full, undivided attention, let the negotiations begin