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But days turned into weeks, and Vishnu remained conspicuously absent, consumed by the security threats surrounding the Walia family. I stayed in touch with Meher, and she mentioned in passing that Vishnu had managed to sort things out with her. However, their father was still adamant about not acknowledging Vishnu publicly as his son. Despite her updates, I heard nothing directly from him. My days became busy with preparing for my upcoming trip to New York, the dream I had chased for so long. It was hard to believe that over a month had passed since that night with Vishnu.

Then came the news that shook me to my core. Vishnu’s father had finally accepted him as his son, openly declaring it before the media. He’d risked his own career, his ongoing election campaign for the position of the Chief Minister of the state to do so. The headline splashed across every news outlet, and I couldn’t help but feel happy for Vishnu. After everything, he had finally been given the one thing he had always longed for—the rightful place as the eldest son of the Walia family. I wanted to reach out and share in his joy, to see him and tell him how proud I was of him, how happy I was that he had finally gotten what he deserved.

But that same night, something within me felt off. I wasn’t feeling well. Nausea gripped me, and everything I ate came right back up. I tried to brush it off as a minor stomach infection, but when I fainted at work the next day, doubt started to creep in. This wasn’t normal. I couldn’t remember ever feeling like this—this constant dizziness, the light-headedness that just wouldn’t go away. Then it hit me. My periods were late by almost two weeks. But that wasn’t uncommon for me as my cycle had been irregular for years.

Still, the worry gnawed at me as I remembered that night. We hadn’t used any protection. And I had been so distracted, so overwhelmed with work the next morning, that I had completely forgotten to take the morning-after pill. Could I be?

No, it wasn’t possible. I was sure it wasn’t. But the doubts refused to leave me alone. I needed to know, needed to put my mind at ease. That night, I did a pregnancy test. I watched the results slowly appear, my heart pounding in my chest, each second stretching out endlessly.

Finally, the wait was over. Two clear lines appeared on that little stick, and my breath caught in my throat. The world around me froze as I stared at them. The two lines mocked me, taunting me with a reality I wasn’t expecting nor was I prepared to face. I was pregnant.

I was carrying Vishnu’s child. And he had no idea.

*PRESENT*

Veer’s toy slips from his tiny hand, breaking my reverie. He looks up at me with those wide, innocent eyes that are so much like his father’s. I reach into the crib to hand it back to him, and he giggles, grabbing it with a sweet smile that melts my heart. But it also twists the knife of guilt deeper in my chest. How can I ever make this right?

I know I’ll have to face Vishnu again, and just the thought of it terrifies me. He was so angry, so hurt when he found out about Veer, and I don’t know if he’ll ever be able to look at me the same way again.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady the tremor in my hands. Now that Vishnu knows Veer is his son, I can’t help but wonder what his next move will be. The instinct to protect and claim his child will be strong, and I can only imagine how determined he will be to make up for the time he’s lost with his son.

I’m both anxious and apprehensive because I know Vishnu’s actions from this point onward will have the power to irrevocably change the course of my life and Veer’s.

I know Vishnu. He’s is a man of action, not words. And now that the truth is out, I have no doubt he will fight tooth and nail to assert his place in Veer’s life—whether through a legal battle, an emotional appeal, or simply by the sheer force of his presence. I know I can no longer keep them apart.

The thought terrifies me if I’m being honest. Veer is the most precious thing in my life, and the idea of sharing him, of potentially losing the central role I’ve played in his life, is enough to make my heart race with panic. Although I also know, deep down, that Veer deserves to have his father in his life.

Whatever Vishnu decides, whatever path he chooses to take, I know my world is about to be turned upside down. It’s going to be a battle of ownership—a battle I just cannot afford to lose.

***************

Next Morning

The morning light filters softly through the curtains as I step out of my bedroom, my head throbbing with a dull ache. I hadn’t slept a wink the entire night.

Veer is still asleep in his crib, his tiny chest rising and falling in the peaceful rhythm of a child’s dreams. I wish I could sleep as easily as him. But my heart is heavy with worry, too restless to find any peace.

I glance at the clock—it’s just after 7:00 a.m. I need coffee, something to shake off the fog in my mind. I walk into the living room, and the moment I sit on the couch, Claire appears with a steaming cup in her hands.

“Here, you look like you could use this,” she says with a kind smile, handing me the cup.

I take it gratefully, feeling the warmth seep into my fingers. “Thank you, Claire. But you really shouldn’t spoil me like this. I can make my own coffee. You’re already doing so much for Veer and me.”

She sits beside me. “I love doing it, Simran. You and Veer are like my family now.”

Her words warm my heart in a way that the coffee can’t. I reach over and squeeze her hand, a silent gesture of gratitude. Claire has become more than just a friend; she’s my rock and my confidante. She’s my family in more ways than I can count.

I take a sip of the coffee, letting the rich flavour settle my nerves, but Claire’s perceptive eyes see right through me.

“What’s wrong, Simran?” she asks softly. “You seem stressed. Even last night, you hardly ate anything. Then, you retired to your room earlier than usual. I can tell something’s bothering you.”

“Nothing’s wrong, Claire. Just… a lot on my mind.” I wave off her concern, trying to sound casual.

But she isn’t convinced. She raises an eyebrow, her voice laced with concern. “If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine, but at least don’t lie to me. I’m not trying to pry into your personal life, but I know this has something to do with your friend from India… Vishnu.”

His name hangs in the air between us, and suddenly, I can’t hold it in anymore. Her words are like a key unlocking a lock, and before I can stop myself, the truth comes tumbling out.

“Vishnu… he’s Veer’s father,” I blurt out.