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“Forgiveness?” I scoff. “Did you even ask for it?”

There’s a stunned silence between us as she processes my words.

“Have you even apologised to me for what you did?” I press on because that’s the truth. “Although you have admitted you’re guilty of hiding Veer from me, have you ever openly asked for an apology?”

She freezes and stares at me in shock.

“And you expect me to forgive you?” I mock, shaking my head in disbelief. “Now, who is a hypocrite here?”

She looks down, realising it’s her fault, but I’m not done yet. I have answers to each of her questions today.

“And we have a lifetime ahead of us to know each other once we marry,” I continue. “A lifetime to build what you want. It’s not like we’re entering into an arranged marriage, Simran. We know a lot about each other for that, don’t we?”

The moment these words leave my mouth, her eyes flash with renewed anger.

“Date after marriage? When would we even have the time to date after marriage? You’ve taken on the entire Walia family’s responsibility on your shoulders, and now, you’re also getting into politics, becoming the party president of the NEP party. How much time do you think you’ll be able to spend with me?”

This time, her words hit their mark, and I remain silent, letting her vent the fears she’s clearly been holding inside.

“And with my business spread across India and the US, I can’t expect you to keep travelling with me all the time. You’ll have your own political commitments.” She runs a hand through her hair in frustration. “I have no doubt we will raise Veer together, giving him everything he needs from both of us. You might find time for Veer, but for us? I don’t see it. With your responsibilities, the Walia family, and now politics, where do I fit into all that, Vishnu?”

Her words land like blows, one after another. I take a slow breath, clenching my fists to control my growing frustration.

“I don’t see us growing as a couple if this is what the future of being married to each other would look like. And this… it bothers me.” Her eyes meet mine, challenging yet vulnerable. “This is not just about Veer. This is also about us—as a couple, and as life partners.”

My hands clench at my sides as she continues, each word feeling like a fresh wound.

“I know marriage is inevitable, but don’t we deserve a courting period, chance to truly know each other first?” Her voice falters slightly, but she presses on.

“Until you decide to forgive me—not just because you want to move past the hurt, but because you genuinely understand why I did what I did, the fears that drove me to keep Veer from you—this marriage will feel forced. Like a compulsion, Vishnu. Two weeks… it’s too little time for all this to happen, to know each other the way we should before—”

I’ve had enough. In two strides, I’m in front of her, gripping her arms, pulling her closer. The heat between us sparks instantly, but I don’t let it distract me.

“I can take a life and give mine for you. What more do you want to know about me than this truth?”

I watch the words hit her, stealing her breath and leaving her speechless. She blinks in surprise but recovers quickly, shaking her head.

“That’s not enough, Vishnu. A marriage is more than that. I don’t want to feel like an obligation to you.”

Obligation?The word sets my blood boiling.

“Two weeks is all you’re getting, Simran. We could have had more, had you told me about your pregnancy on time. We would have had six months, at least, for courting before Veer was born, to get married, to welcome our child into the world. But you didn’t think wisely then.”

Her eyes widen at my harsh words, but I can’t stop now.

“Now, you don’t get to demand how long we need to wait because now it’s no longer about us... it’s about Veer. So, as I said earlier, you will be my wife in two weeks, with or without your consent. And this hurry? It’s on you, not me.”

I feel her trembling under my hands, but I force myself to continue.

“Giving Veer the rightful place he deserves is all that matters to me now, and it should to you too. This isn’t just about a name, Simran. It’s about bringing my son into my world with the respect he’s entitled to. At the max, if you want to know me more... I can promise you of one thing—we won’t have to get into physical intimacy after we marry in two weeks, not until you are ready for it. But the marriage cannot be postponed. Not at any cost.”

Taking a deep breath, I deliver the final blow.

“Whatever you need to prepare in terms of your work, do it now, because we are flying to India in a day or two after our legal marriage here. I want my family to meet Veer and welcome you as my wife.”

The shock on her face is almost too painful to witness.

“I’m not asking you to wind up everything from here. Just take a small break of three to four weeks for the India trip. We’ll figure out the rest once we’re there, of how to proceed with our work commitments moving forward.”