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“If you’re here for Veer, he’s already asleep. You don’t have to—”

“Yes, Simran, I’m here for Veer,” he cuts me off. “He’s my son. From now on, I’m going to be an integral part of his routine, no matter what time of day or night. You don’t get to decide that.”

My stomach twists. I try to mask my confusion, but it’s all over my face.

“What… what does that mean?”

He approaches me, closing the gap between us, and once again, I feel a sudden wave of intimidation wash over me. He towers over me, his presence all-consuming.

“It means I’m shifting here,” he says slowly, deliberately. “I’m staying where Veer is.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

“Shifting… here? With me?”

Vishnu doesn’t blink, his eyes not straying from mine.

“Yes. I’m staying in this apartment. It means I’ll be sleeping in the same room where Veer sleeps. I want him close to me at all times.”

“What? Vishnu, no. You can’t just—” My breath catches in my throat. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

“I’m staying in this room tonight,” he continues in his icy voice. “Even though I don’t want to be anywhere near you right now. Even though your presence disgusts me for what you did.”

His words stab my heart, each one more painful than the last. He doesn’t want to be near me. Of course, he doesn’t. I betrayed him. But still, hearing him say it… it rips something apart inside me. My anger rises, and my pulse quickens. I won’t let him do this.

“You can’t stay here.” My voice is cold, final. “Get out.”

He gives me a dark, humourless smile as if challenging me to stop him from getting inside. I instantly step in front of him, blocking his path before he can reach Veer’s crib again.

“If you’re so disgusted with me, if you can’t stand to be near me, then why are you even here? And in case you’ve forgotten, this is my bedroom. My private space.”

His jaw clenches, and for a moment, I think he might explode. His eyes are wild with fury as they bore into mine.

“Private space?” he snarls, his voice dripping with contempt. He points towards Veer’s crib, his finger trembling with rage. “We made that baby together, Simran. There is no‘private space’between us anymore. Not after Veer.”

The heat rises to my cheeks. He is right, but I refuse to let him have this power over me.

“You can’t just barge in here and demand to sleep in my room, Vishnu,” I snap, trying to hold my ground. “Just because we have a son together doesn’t mean you can dictate everything. This is still my life, my space!”

That’s when Vishnu loses control. His fists ball up, his face tight with anger.

“Fine,” he growls, stepping back. “If that’s what you want, I won’t stay in this room. I won’t even stay in this apartment. But where I go, Veer goes.”

My heart drops.

“You’re his mother, so I’m giving you a choice, Simran. Let me stay here with him, or I’ll take him away from you. Forever.”

My blood runs cold.

“What?” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

He doesn’t even flinch.

“You heard me. Tomorrow morning, I want your answer. If it’s still a no, pack Veer’s things. He’ll be staying with me. Permanently.”

Tears sting the back of my eyes. This can’t be happening. This isn’t Vishnu. He wouldn’t—he couldn’t.

“You can’t do this,” I whisper, my voice cracking.