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“She knew everything I had been through in my childhood. What I had missed. She knew how your decision not to acknowledge me as your son before the world had changed the course of my life. How it made me suffer—despite knowing who my father was, I could never call him ‘Dad’ openly.”

My fist clenches, and I can feel the rage building.

“She knew all of that, and yet she did the exact same thing to my son. I can’t even fathom what she was thinking.”

In a burst of uncontrolled emotion, I slam my fist against the wall, but Dad quickly stops me, grabbing my hand.

“Don’t hurt yourself,” he snaps, his voice laced with anger and concern.

I turn back to him, guilt settling over me.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” I admit. “I know this isn’t easy for you to accept either. You’ve always tried to stay away from scandals, never wanting our family’s personal life to be mocked openly in public.”

The political implications start to weigh on me as I continue, “With you launching me as the Party president of NEP, this truth is going to create another scandal. It might garner the same kind of attention that was generated when you openly acknowledged me as your son before the world.”

I look directly into his eyes.

“People might not want to put their trust in me because of this truth, and I know that will bother you.”

Dad starts to protest, but I cut him off.

“No, Dad. Let me finish. The mistake you made—choosing your career over accepting your son born outside of marriage—I won’t make that same mistake again. I refuse to let history repeat itself. I’m ready to give up everything I’ve worked for, everything you’ve dreamed for me. My career, my ambitions, even the future you’ve so carefully envisioned for me… I’ll sacrifice it all.”

I pause, my gaze locked on Dad. “Because… I choose Veer, Dad. I choose to accept my son in front of the world, to give him the life he deserves—a life filled with love, security, and pride. He will never feel the void I did. He will know his father chose him above all else.”

Dad places his hand on my shoulder, his eyes filled with pride.

“I already know that, Vishnu. In the Walia family, if there’s anyone who thinks from their heart, it’s you. All these years, I’ve prioritised my career over my family, but I know you would never make that mistake. For you, family is everything. You will always choose family over everything else. I know you’ll handle this situation as you always do—with strength and honour. And I’ll stand by you every step of the way.”

Relief washes over me at his words. His understanding, his acceptance—it means everything to me.

“Vishnu,” he continues, his voice filled with emotion, “if you, as a child, promised your mother to always stand by my side and protect me, then know that I, too, have promised myself to stand by you forever, through your ups and downs. You aremy son—a son who has surpassed all of his father’s expectations. Don’t ever think that anything you’ve done has or will put my life or career at risk. None of this is your fault, and I will stand by you. Whatever you decide, I am with you.”

His words ignite a flicker of hope within me.

The moment my father places a hand on my shoulder, offering his support, I know it’s time to stop holding back.

“Dad, I’ve already decided,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “I’m marrying Simran legally here within two weeks. That’s my first step towards correcting her mistakes and giving Veer my legal name.”

Dad’s gaze doesn’t waver. His silence urges me to keep going.

“I know it’s a big decision,” I continue, running a hand through my hair. “I should have taken your advice before jumping into action, but I just... I didn’t know what else to do. Every decision I make now is tied to Veer, and I couldn’t think of a better way to fix this mess. I’m still trying to absorb the fact that I’m a father to Veer.”

My voice catches slightly. “Obviously, I knew I had to share my plans of marrying Simran with you before actually signing the papers, but I didn’t know how. I was confused about how to bring it up with you.”

Dad nods, understanding evident in his eyes.

“It was that confusion, that state of mind, that brought me here to New York,” he says softly. “You have my blessings, Vishnu. Always.”

For years, this was the validation I longed for—a father’s acceptance, his pride in me. But just as relief begins to settle, his expression shifts, and I can see a question forming in his eyes.

“But are you doing this only for Veer?” he asks carefully, “Or do you still feel something for Simran? Is there still some spark between you two despite all that happened, to take a big step like marriage?”

I swallow hard, my heart pounding against my ribs. The truth I’ve kept buried for long rises to the surface. I’m surprised at my own openness. These are the feelings I haven’t even confessed to Simran yet, but I’m going to spill them out before my father.

“I might not have chased her in the last 18 months, but I knew she was the only one I would settle down with if life ever gave us a chance,” I admit.

Dad watches me intently, reading my every expression as I lay my soul bare before him.