She pulled two mugs out of the cabinet and then a small canister of sugar. “I think that you need a parent to listen to you. My boys, and my husband, they know I’m no good with business. I’m no good with technology. But I’m good with them. I know them, and I know people. So they’ve always talked to me. You can talk to me, too, Rajneet.”

Raj pressed Khunda closer to her.

“In my limited experience, Punjabi mothers prefer their sons to marry chaste women without secrets in their closets.”

The older woman made a dismissive gesture with her hand as she retrieved milk from the fridge. “Bland women are bland in bed and produce bland, boring children.”

Raj’s mouth dropped. “You’re okay with . . . You’re okay with me?”

“Now, I didn’t say that.” She added milk to the pot. “I will judge you, not based on your past, but based on how you respond to your past. After the article today, my son is sitting in a meeting where people are also judging him. Hopefully, he gets what he wants. You are here, sitting in his penthouse. What are you doing to get what you want?”

“I’m going to fight.”

“Oh?”

Raj nodded. “In one hour, my assistant is going to pick me up. I’m going to do a press conference where I’ll address the contents of the article.”

“What will you say?” Aunty placed a steaming mug of chai in front of her, along with a spoon and the sugar dish. “Will you deny the article?”

Raj shook her head. “Not at all. Why should I? It’s the truth.”

“Will that hurt your business?”

“If it does, then it does. But do you know what, Aunty? I wouldn’t have thought that way two months ago. Now, if I fail, I have more than my friends, my dog, my employees. I have Ajay. If I can’t figure out another solution, he will.”

There was a small smile on Ajay’s mother’s lips as she rounded the counter so that she could reach out and cup Raj’s face. “My soni, soni girl,” she said softly. “You’re absolutely right. You have family now. I am here.”

Raj swallowed the lump in her throat. “Aunty, would you like to come to the press conference with me? I know Ajay will be busy, and I could use . . . I could use some support.”

“Of course I can come with you. Now. Will you be wearing something that casual?”

Raj looked down at her slacks. She liked this woman. “No, I’m going to change. I have a lucky black dress.”

“Good. Now, let’s have some chai. I want to know what your brother was doing here.”

Raj smiled. “Yes, Aunty.”

Chapter Twenty-Four
Ajay

AJAY: I’m coming down there.

RAJ: No, I’m going to be fine. Your mother is with me.

AJAY: My MOTHER??