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“Vishnu was here?”

She nods, beaming. “Yes, Simran. I’ve never seen anything like it. They were inseparable. Veer wouldn’t let go of him for even a minute. It’s as if they’ve known each other forever.”

My heart clenches, and I sink onto the couch, my legs suddenly weak. Veer, my baby, bonded with his father so easily. What must Vishnu have felt, holding his son for the first time and realising just how much he had missed?

“It was like a miracle,” Claire continues, her voice filled with wonder. “Like they were meant to be together. Even though Veer had no idea who Vishnu was until now, he attached himself to Vishnu as if he knew he was his father. It shows what a father-son bond should be like. Just pure, instinctual love.”

Tears prick my eyes, and I blink rapidly to hold them back. “I... I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for Vishnu.”

Claire reaches for her phone. “I didn’t want you to miss this,” she says, pulling up a photo. “I managed to snap it when they were both asleep. Vishnu didn’t even notice.”

The moment I see the picture, it takes my breath away. I bite my lip, trying to control the flood of emotions threatening to break free. Vishnu is lying on the couch, fast asleep, with Veer nestled against his chest. His hand rests lightly yet securely on Veer’s back, speaking volumes about his protectiveness, as though even in sleep, he’s attuned to his role as a father, quietly watching over his son. They both look so peaceful, so content. And there, curled up against Vishnu’s thigh, is Leila, her fur blending seamlessly with the fabric of his pants. They all look like a perfect little family unit. The tears I’ve been holding back spill over, creating hot trails down my cheeks. Seeing them together like that makes my heart ache for what they could have had if I hadn’t kept them apart for so long.

I blink back the tears and smile through the pain. “Thank you,” I whisper, unable to tear my eyes from the picture. “Thank you for not letting me miss this.”

Claire squeezes my hand. “I thought you’d appreciate it. But I should tell you... Vishnu doesn’t quite trust me with Veer yet. He took a list of all the baby food and medicines I give Veer to double-check if they’re the right ones.”

Guilt crashes over me. “I’m so sorry, Claire. I’ll talk to him about that. He shouldn’t suspect you—”

“It’s alright,” Claire interrupts gently. “It’s just his protective instinct as a father. I completely understand. He just needs some time to believe that all is well with me looking after Veer.”

She pauses, then adds firmly, “You have to talk to Vishnu now, Simran.”

I nod, my throat tight. “I want to, Claire. I want to so badly. But he’s hiding away, putting this distance between us. I have no idea how to break through and speak to him. But I will. Soon. I have to.”

Claire studies me for a moment, her gaze steady. “You’ll find a way. Just give him time. But don’t wait too long. This is something you need to resolve—for Veer’s sake.”

“I know,” I whisper. “I’ll talk to him. Soon.”

Claire squeezes my hand once more. “Why don’t you go freshen up? I’ll make us some coffee.”

Nodding, I head to my bedroom, trying to shake off the heaviness in my heart. I strip off my clothes and step into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over me. As the steam rises around me, I close my eyes and the image of Vishnu and Veer sleeping flashes back into my mind. It is seared in my brain, a bittersweet reminder of what I’ve denied them both for far too long.

I’ve made mistakes, yes. Terrible, hurtful mistakes. But I can’t change or undo the past. The ache in my chest only deepens as I confront that reality.

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

The next day drags on just like the last. I leave for the boutique in the morning, accompanied as usual by Abhay and the rest of Vishnu’s security team. There’s still no sign of him. He’s out there somewhere, probably watching, lurking in the shadows, but making no effort to meet me. It’s infuriating.

The same routine follows—I lose my focus, and my concentration goes for a toss. My messages to Vishnu are ignored yet again. Every time I glance at my phone, there’s nothing but silence from his end. My heart pounds in frustration. Why won’t he answer? What is this hide-and-seek game he’s playing? He’s literally torturing me.

By the time I return home in the evening, my frustration has boiled over. Claire greets me at the door, and once again, she informs me that Vishnu had come by to spend time with Veer, and he left just before I arrived, just when it was Veer’s nap time.

Of course, he did. The anger within me rises, a deep, pulsing rage that I can’t shake off. This isn’t a coincidence. It is deliberate. Vishnu is intentionally coming here when I’m not around, spending time with our son, and disappearing before I can confront him.

I can’t take it anymore.

Without a word, I spin on my heels and storm out of the apartment, my inner frustration driving me forward. I’ve had enough of Vishnu’s games. This ends now.

I know exactly where to find him—he’s holed in that damn apartment right across from mine. Abhay mentioned Vishnu was nearby, and that apartment had to be his hideout. The one filled with men monitoring my every move under the guise of ‘protection.’ Well, it’s time I crash this party.

I stride across the hallway and reach the apartment door. I take a deep breath, and just as I am about to raise my hand to bang on the door, it swings open, revealing Abhay’s stoic face. For a moment, I’m taken aback, wondering how he knew I was coming. Then, my eyes land on the camera aimed at my apartment, and understanding dawns.Of course. They see everything.They’re watching me. Every move I make. Every entry. Every exit. It’s all under surveillance.

“What’s wrong?” Abhay asks, his voice calm and controlled.

I glare at him, my patience worn thin. “I want to see Vishnu. Now.”

Before he can offer some weak excuse, I march past him into the living room.