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Somewhere in the mansion, my dad sleeps, safe and alive. He has fought his own battles, faced betrayals, and carried the burden of power and responsibility for decades. And yet, he still stands tall. Just as I will. Just as we always will.

I glance again at Simran, and the warmth in her eyes soothes every scar this battle has left behind. She came into my life like a storm, unexpected and unstoppable. And despite everything—despite the chaos, the danger, the heartbreak—we still chose each other. The road ahead is bound to test us in new ways, but right now, in this perfect midnight moment, we are united. We are together. We are unbreakable.

I have always believed that strength is measured in the wars we fight and the enemies we defeat. But tonight, standing here with my wife in my arms and my son beside us, I finally understand. True strength is not found in the battles—it’s found in what we fight for.

And I will fight for this.

For them.

Always.

EPILOGUE

SIMRAN

Six Months Later – Alibaug Farm House

The Alibaug farmhouse buzzes with joy and celebration. We’re celebrating Vishnu’s 35th birthday today. Life has a strange way of coming full circle. My mind drifts to Veer’s first birthday, just six months ago. Papa had originally planned to celebrate it here in Alibaug, but things didn’t quite go as expected. The memories were still too raw. Just two weeks before the planned celebration, this very farmhouse had been the site of Papa’s abduction. Even though he returned safely that same day, none of us were ready to come back to this place for such a happy occasion. Instead, we held the celebration at Walia Mansion, where Papa went all out—turning the house into a magical wonderland for his grandson.

I smile, thinking of how different Papa is with Veer. My serious, politically powerful father-in-law turns into putty in his grandson’s hands. It’s become a common sight at the mansion—Papa sitting in his home office, trying to conduct an important meeting, and Veer toddling in, demanding his grandfather’s attention. More often than not, the meetings end up being postponed, and Papa is found on the floor, playing with building blocks or reading storybooks, completely devoted to Veer.

Vishnu, my husband, has never had a birthday party like this before. He’s always been too busy taking care of everyone else to think about celebrating himself. So, when I suggested to Papa that we should organise something special this year, his eyes lit up with excitement. Papa threw himself wholeheartedly into planning this party for Vishnu. He’s been involved in everything, right from the menu to the decorations, determined to make this day unforgettable for his son.

The fact that we’re holding it here in Alibaug feels significant, like we’re reclaiming this space—transforming it from a place of fear into one of joy. And speaking of transformations, I head upstairs to check on our newest family member, Leila.

Yes. She’s here now. With us.My heart swells just thinking about how Vishnu arranged everything to bring her here from Claire’s home in New York. He understood, without me having to say a word—that having Leila with us would make Mumbai truly feel like home. Dealing with the paperwork, arranging international pet transport, and setting up a comfortable space for her at the Walia Mansion wasn’t easy—but Vishnu made it happen because he knew how much she meant to me.

And today, since the whole family is here to celebrate Vishnu’s birthday at our Alibaug farmhouse, we brought Leila along too.

But I knew she wouldn’t enjoy mingling with the crowd. Leila hates too many people around her. Unlike Veer, who thrives on all the attention, my little furball prefers her peace and quiet. That’s why we set up a cosy room for her, away from the chaos of the party, where she can lounge, eat, and play without disruption. This way, she still has me and the family around, but at a comfortable distance—exactly how she likes it.

I peek into her room, where she’s lounging regally on one of the plush couches we set up for her. Toys are scattered around, and her food and water bowls are perfectly arranged, making her stay not just comfortable, but truly luxurious—fit for a little queen.

The way she’s adapted to life in the mansion has been remarkable. What started as a new adjustment has blossomed into something beautiful—she’s truly become part of the Walia family, loved and doted on by everyone.

The warm sea breeze flows through the open French windows as I gently stroke Leila’s soft fur. Her emerald eyes flicker open for a moment, recognising my touch, before she nestles deeper into the plush cushions. I smile, watching her rest so peacefully.

It’s almost symbolic how Leila’s journey mirrors my own—from our independent lives in New York to becoming an integral part of this grand, loving family. The mansion that once seemed overwhelmingly large now feels just right, filled with love, laughter, and, yes, the occasional cat hair on expensive furniture. It’s hard to believe how much our life has changed.

Apart from resting on fluffy couches at the Walia mansion, Leila is mostly seen around Veer and Avika when they play together. She guards them like they’re her own kittens, prowling protectively around their play area, seeing to it that no one disturbs them.

I chuckle, remembering how she even follows Vishnu around, constantly rubbing against his legs whenever he’s home. Who would have thought my cat would be so smitten with my husband? Then again, who could resist Vishnu’s charm?

Regarding my business, the past six months have been a remarkable journey of success and joy. That client meeting—the one on that fateful day when Papa was abducted—ended up being a turning point for my fashion empire. Since then, my brand has been soaring to new heights, with plans to launch boutique chains across India. My New York store is thriving under capable management, allowing me the freedom to focus on the bigger decisions while balancing family life here in India.

Meanwhile, Vishnu has bought the New York apartment across from mine— the same one that his security team had been renting. Even though the threats are gone, he refuses to compromise on our safety. So now, whenever we fly to New York for my work, his team is already there beforehand to take care of my safety.

But the biggest change has been watching Vishnu step into his role as NEP party president. After months of gentle persuasion—convincing him that it was okay to focus on his own career instead of just our safety—he finally took the plunge. Now, seeing him in his element, commanding respect and implementing positive changes, my heart swells with pride.Politics runs in his blood, and it shows.

I take one last look at Leila before heading back downstairs to the party. The shimmering black saree I chose to match Vishnu’s black suit catches the light as I descend the stairs. The party is in full swing, with the sound of laughter, clinking glasses, and soft music filling the air. My father-in-law is the perfect host, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and is attended to. He looks happy and content as he stands with his friend Kailash Shergill, Ayaan’s father, holding Veer in his arms. He clings to Papa as he proudly introduces Veer again to his friends and guests.

My eyes roam around, and there he is—my husband, my rock, my everything. Vishnu looks devastatingly handsome as he chats with his party members. He commands attention with his effortless charisma and his powerful presence, still taking my breath away. He exudes confidence, the kind that makes people notice him, trust him, and follow his lead.

As if sensing my gaze, he turns around.

Our eyes meet, and in that instant, everything else blurs around us. There’s an unspoken conversation between us—a silent language we’ve mastered over time. The look in his eyes makes my heart skip a beat. Even now, after all this time, just one glance from him still makes me feel like we’re falling in love all over again.

He tilts his head slightly, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he subtly gestures for me to come to him.