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“I’m sure. Let me take care of him tonight so you can rest. It’s our big day in 48 hours, and I need you to be well-rested and at your best.”

She frowns, clearly hesitant, but then blurts out, “As if, after our marriage, you’re not going to let me sleep at all...”

Her words hit me squarely, the innuendo hanging heavy in the air. Her eyes widen as the double meaning dawns on her, and she fumbles, her cheeks reddening.

But the next moment, she composes herself. With feigned innocence and a mischievous glint in her eye, she continues, “Or maybe it’s me who will ruin your sleep every night after marriage...”

Heat courses through my body at her words. “Let’s see who makes the other’s night more difficult after we marry,” I reply, my voice thick with promise. “Now sleep.”

Before I can do something foolish—like kiss that challenging smile off her face—I reach over and switch off her bedside lamp, before either of us can slip further into this dangerously tempting moment. As I walk out of her room, I can feel her gaze burning into my back, and I know sleep won’t come easily for either of us tonight.

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

Next Morning

Veer is sleeping peacefully in his crib, his tiny hand clutching the edge of his blanket as if it’s his most cherished possession. A soft sigh escapes my lips. For the first time in days, he’s not woken up fussing. I linger for a moment, ensuring he’s comfortable, before tiptoeing out of the room.

With my phone in hand, I step onto the balcony of the guest room, needing a little privacy. It’s been ages since I last spoke to Meher, and today, with everything seemingly calm for now, I decide to make that long-overdue call.

It’s around 10 p.m. in India, the perfect time to catch her. The moment the video call connects, her face fills the screen, and I brace myself for what’s coming.

“If you hadn’t called me today, I swear I was going to take the evening flight to New York and come and fight with you face to face!” she bursts out, and I can’t help but smirk, knowing she absolutely would do just that.

A laugh escapes me as I lean against the railing, grinning. “I don’t doubt that for a second, Meher.”

“Don’t you dare laugh, Vishnu!” she huffs. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for your call? Ever since Dad came back and told us about Veer and everything that’s happened over there, I’ve been dying to talk to you! Do you know how hard it’s been to stop myself from calling you every day? And you couldn’t spare five minutes for your only sister? If you hadn’t called me today—”

“How could I not call you?” I say softly. “It’s my wedding tomorrow, and you know the tradition—without a sister’s blessings and heartfelt wishes, a brother cannot even get on a horse to go to his own wedding.”

That stops her mid-rant. Her expression softens, but then she quickly narrows her eyes.

“Stop buttering me up, Vishnu. That’s really not going to work this time.”

I chuckle. “It was worth a try.”

“Do you know how much I want to be there… to see my brother take those vows?”

“I know,” I respond, knowing it’s true. My baby sister always wanted to see me married. “But I also know that to compensate for your absence at my courthouse wedding, you’ve been planning a rather big celebration back in India to make up for it.”

Her eyes light up mischievously.

“I have, and even though Dad told me you don’t want a grand affair, you know it’s not up to you anymore to decide.”

I sigh, already picturing the extravagant celebration she must be planning. That’s Meher—always going above and beyond for the people she loves.

“Okay, don’t change the topic. First tell me, how are you, Vishnu?” Her tone and expression both softens. “I know... I mean, it’s not even something I should ask, considering how your entire world has changed all of a sudden.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better change in my life than this,” I say sincerely. “Though, I do wish it had happened differently.”

“She knew, Vishnu,” Meher continues, tears welling up in her eyes. “Simran knew what you went through. She saw how much it hurt you when Dad didn’t acknowledge you publicly. She watched you struggle with that pain, and yet…she did the exact same thing to your child? How could she?”

“It’s complicated—” I begin, but she interrupts me.

“Don’t defend her!” Meher’s protective instincts flare up. “You always do this. You always see the best in everyone, even when they end up hurting you. First, it was Dad, and now it’s Simran. But I’m your sister, and I have every right to be angry at her for betraying you like this! I’m so hurt and so mad at her because she hurt you. I’m not going to speak to her even when she comes to India with you.”

“Meher,” I say gently, “I understand why you’re angry. But—”

“No buts, Vishnu!” she snaps. “I’m not like you. I can’t just forgive and move on. Simran, Devika and I need to have a serious conversation. She broke our trust, Vishnu. We’ve been friends for so long now, shared everything together... or so I thought. All those video calls while she was pregnant, and she never said a word! Mind you, she’s not going to be forgiven anytime soon.”