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But he’s already turning away from me, his jaw set in stone.

“You know me, Simran. When I make a decision, no one dares to change it. What I say… goes.”

His words echo like a death sentence. Without another word, he storms out of the room, the sound of the front door slamming behind him like a final nail in the coffin.

I stand there, frozen, my knees buckling beneath me. My chest rises and falls with shallow breaths, and before I can stop myself, I clutch my head in my hands and collapse to the floor.

How did everything spiral out of control so quickly?

I was angry, yes, but I never imagined Vishnu would threaten to take Veer from me. I can’t lose my son. The thought itself is unbearable. No matter what happens, no matter what Vishnu says, I won’t let anyone—even him—take Veer away from me.

Tears stream down my face as the weight of his ultimatum sinks in. I’ve never felt this helpless before, not in my entire life.

But there’s one thing I know for sure—I won’t let this happen. I won’t let Vishnu rip my life apart. Not like this.

Not ever.

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

Next Morning

The moment I open my eyes, something feels off. My body aches, heavy with exhaustion, and as I glance at the clock, my heart skips a beat. Half past eight? How did I sleep this late? Veer should’ve been awake by now, waking me with his soft cries, demanding my attention. I quickly turn toward the baby cot, expecting to see him there, but the cot is empty.

Suddenly, Vishnu’s words from last night slam into me with brutal force.I’ll take Veer away from you.Panic shoots through me.

I leap out of the bed and storm out of the room.

“Claire!” My voice cracks with urgency. “Where’s Veer?”

Claire steps out of the kitchen, holding a dishrag, her expression calm in stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.

“Relax, Simran,” she says. “He woke up a while ago, and you were still asleep. I didn’t want to wake you, so I got him out of your room.”

“Where? Where is he now?” I practically shout, my mind spinning.

“Vishnu came by early this morning... and he took him.”

The air leaves my lungs, and I feel like the floor has dropped from beneath me. Vishnu took Veer? My worst fear is unfolding before me. I sprint toward the door, my breath catching in my throat. I don’t bother with shoes, don’t even think twice before tearing across the lobby toward the apartment Vishnu has rented for his team.

One of the guards opens the door just as I approach, almost as if they were waiting for me. I storm past him, calling out for Veer.

I rush toward the terrace and freeze in my tracks. There he is. Vishnu—aloof, powerful, standing tall with Veer in his arms. Veer is wide awake, tugging at Vishnu’s beard with tiny hands, oblivious to the intensity of the moment. Relief washes over me, but it’s quickly replaced by a white-hot anger.

I march straight toward them, my gaze locked on Veer, ready to take my son back. But before I can reach them, Vishnu’s dark stare meets mine. His eyes flick over me from head to toe, and a mocking smirk curls his lips.

“I was going to ask you this morning what your decision was, Simran,” he says, his voice cold, biting. “But looking at your state of mind, I think I’ve already got my answer.”

I clench my fists as he continues.

“I only took Veer away for a few minutes, and look how panicked you’ve become? Did you come straight from bed, Simran? No time to even get dressed properly?”

His words cut through me, stoking the fire of my rage. It is only then that I realise I came here in my night dress, my hair dishevelled. I know my morning look is messy, and not as polished as it is throughout the day. This is so embarrassing. But it was about my son, and I couldn’t think of anything else other than finding him and bringing him back to me.

“Don’t you dare blackmail me, Vishnu?”

He leans in slightly, that damn smirk still plastered on his face.

“For Veer…” His voice lowers, dripping with menace. “Not just blackmail, I can do a lot more.”