Page 74 of Knot So Romantic

We make our way to the stage for the bouquet toss. Instead of throwing it to the crowd, Elena hands it directly to me, her smile knowing and encouraging.

“What?” I ask, surprised.

“I hope it’s your turn next,” she grins.

Kavita gives me a shy smile.

I can’t believe how lucky I am to have Kavita with me. Although I may still have a way to go to convince her parents I’m the right guy for her, I’d wait forever if I had to. The thought of letting her go is unimaginable.

Just as we rejoin Kavita’s parents, I feel a tap on my shoulder.

Turning around, I’m shocked to see Ramya. “You? How did you know about the wedding?”

“I wanted a way to get in touch with you since you weren’t picking up my calls. So, I contacted Elena and she told me about it,” she smiles.

I’m surprised Elena never told me; it was unusual of her not to. “What do you want now?” I say curtly. “More money?”

Ramya reaches into her bag and pulls out a box.

My eyes widen.

“This is yours,” she says, holding out the box.

“The wedding ring?” I ask without opening it. “I thought you said you’d lost it.”

She swallows. “I lied to spite you, Neel. I wanted to squeeze every last penny out of you in the settlement. I’m sorry.” She looks contrite.

I can’t believe I’m holding Grandma’s ring. “What made you change your mind after all these years?”

A man appears by her side as she continues, “That’s why I’ve been calling you, but you never picked up. This is Akash, my new husband. He’s the man I wanted to marry all along, but my parents forced me to marry you. I just want you to know it’s not your fault that I left you. I’m happy to have finally married the man I love. I just wanted you to be happy, too. I hope you’ll give this ring to someone who deserves it.”

“Thanks,” I manage, unable to believe that she returned the ring. My eyes mist over.

“I was cruel to you, Neel. I hope you’ll forgive me. And I truly wish you the very best in life.” With that, she and her new husband walk away.

I hear a gasp and see Kavita’s mom standing nearby, her jaw open. I can’t read her dad’s expression.

Kavita squeezes my hand. “Wow,” she says as I open the box to reveal the gleaming emerald ring—my grandmother’s heirloom that I’d longed to get back for so long.

“Yeah, I know. Who’d have thought?” I nod, squeezing her hand back, marveling at how fate has brought this precious piece of my family history back to me. And then I remember something else.

I pull out the papers tucked into my coat’s inner pocket and hand them over to Kavita.

“What’s this?”

“It’s about your building.”

She sighs. “Unfortunately, I think we’re too late. My landlord sold it. We lost our chance.”

“I don’t think so.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t have to move.”

“That’s if the new landlord allows it. I’ll have to ask him.”

“You have permission to stay as long as you wish,” I say confidently. “Because I am your new landlord.”