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Yes, I’ll make sure of that. I’ll protect her dreams while she chases them, guard her success while she builds it, and shield her light while she shines it on the world. I decide right then and there that I won’t hold her back. Simran was never meant to be confined. I can’t clip her wings; I’d much rather help them grow, help her reach her dreams and ambitions.

If anything, I’ll double her protection, but I won’t make her lose what she’s worked so hard for. Because that’s what partners do—they lift each other higher, even when the path ahead is clouded with complications and unspoken truths.

CHAPTER 15

SIMRAN

I watch as the media team packs up their equipment, feeling a sense of satisfaction with how the interview went. Peter approaches me with his characteristic warm smile, and I can’t help but glance at Vishnu from the corner of my eye. He’s standing a few feet away, his posture stiff, arms crossed, and jaw clenched

“That was brilliant, Simran,” Peter gushes. “You absolutely nailed it!”

“Thanks to you for setting this up,” I respond, giving him a quick hug. “Although someone wasn’t too happy about our friendly interactions today,” I whisper, nodding discreetly toward Vishnu.

Peter’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “Oh honey, if only he knew...”

I stifle a giggle, watching Vishnu’s jaw clench from across the room.If only he knew, indeed.

An hour later, as Vishnu and I make our way to his imposing Raptor—a vehicle that screams ‘Vishnu’ in every way possible—I feel something change within me. The man walking beside me, with his characteristic commanding presence, is no longer just my protector or Veer’s father. He’s the one who’s about to become my life partner, my supposed future husband, whether I’m ready for that or not.

The idea ofmarriageused to be a distant dream, something I never really allowed myself to fully consider. But now, with Vishnu’s declaration and the upcoming wedding, it’s an unavoidable reality. As he helps me into the passenger seat, his slight touch on my arm sends unwanted tingles through my body. It’s not the commitment itself that scares me. It’s the thought of being caged, forever under the shadow of Vishnu’s powerful political family, that fills me with dread. Their world is one of constant threats and high-stakes manoeuvring. And now, with Vishnu officially entering politics himself, the sacrifices would only intensify. The freedom I’ve fought so hard for, the life I’ve built on my terms, would inevitably have to adjust, even shrink, under that relentless scrutiny.

More than that, I want our marriage—if it happens—to be about us. About these confusing, exhilarating feelings that spark between us, and not simply because we share a child. There has to be more, something that’s deeply ours, and I need to feel that it’s because we want each other fully, openly, without the pressure of responsibilities or expectations. Because without that, what are we even doing this for?

Vishnu checks in with Abhay about Veer and Claire, and as soon as he hangs up, he surprises me again.

“Julie shared your work schedule for the week. I’ve forwarded it to the security team.”

“Wait, what? You’re actually going to allow me to work? Not keeping me locked up in your fortress of protection?”

His silence catches me off guard. Does this mean he’s actually giving me the green light to go to work? Of course, I’m grateful, but I’m curious too. And when I see the slight twitch of his jaw, I can’t help but push a bit further.

“Oh, I get it! This way, you get to announce our ‘upcoming forced marriage’ to all my clients, right? Poor Peter still hasn’t recovered from that shocking announcement. He’s just a client. You didn’t have to act so territorial.”

Vishnu’s grip tightens on the steering wheel.

“He was touching you,” he grits out, “inappropriately.”

I roll my eyes dramatically. “He was holding my hand, Vishnu. That’s hardly inappropriate.”

“It was longer than necessary,” he snaps.

“So? He’s also my friend. Are you jealous, Vishnu?” I ask directly, watching his reaction with barely concealed interest.

He barely misses a beat before answering.

“We’re getting married in two weeks. Of course, I’ll keep every man away from you who can’t keep their eyes and hands to themselves.”

My amusement turns to anger.

“Correction, we’re not getting married in two weeks—YOU are forcing me to marry you. And secondly, Peter wasn’t flirting with me. In fact,” I pause for effect, a mischievous grin spreading across my face, “he can never be interested in me... if anyone should be jealous here, it’s me. Peter… likes men.”

The car jerks slightly as Vishnu processes my words. His questioning glare makes me laugh out loud.

“Do you know, while you were busy playing watchdog, Peter was totally checking you out?”

The look of absolute shock on Vishnu’s face is priceless. His fingers clench and unclench on the steering wheel as he processes this information, and I can’t help but burst into laughter.

“Not so threatening now, is he?” I tease, enjoying every moment of this. I watch the colour rise up his neck. “Though I must say, your caveman act was quite entertaining.‘I’m Veer’s father and Simran’s fiancé,’” I mimic his deep voice. “Very smooth.”