Page 120 of Cherish my Heart

“I’m the only family you have left!” Anil shouts, desperate now.

Abhimaan chuckles—a sound without joy. “This isn’t family. I know what family looks like now.”

His eyes find mine again, and the way he’s looking at me makes my throat tighten.

“And you,” he says to Anil, “hurt people who matter to me. So I don’t really care about you.”

“I’m your only blood!” Anil’s voice cracks with fury.

Abhimaan steps closer, gun unwavering. “Anil… you’ve done a lot for me.”

I roll my eyes. Even now, he’s giving this man more words than he deserves. His kindness sometimes borders on maddening.

“But you’re neither my blood nor my family,” he continues. “Family means warmth. It means people who care for you don’t take revenge on you. People who feed you endlessly—”

My lips twitch into a small, involuntary smile. Is he talking about my family?

I let out a quiet chuckle. He glances at me, and his expression softens, just for a second, before he looks back at Anil.

“They’ll look out for you,” he says. “You did nothing like that for me. You just used me for your benefit. So no, I don’t care who my father is.”

Then he looks at me again. His eyes—so guarded most days—are raw, vulnerable. “I can’t do this in front of you,” he whispers.

I don’t argue. I know what he means. This is a part of him he doesn’t want me to see. The side that can end a life without flinching.

But what he doesn’t know is that I’d stand in that darkness with him if he’d let me. I’d take it all, every sharp edge and shadow, if it meant I could have all of him. Still, I understand. Some things are his alone to bear.

Before I turn to leave, I lean down and punch Anil square in the face. Hard.

Harsh chuckles from his spot against the wall. “She’s a fierce one,” he says.

“She is,” Abhimaan replies, his voice quieter now, but there’s something in it that warms me.

I wink at him and walk out of the room. My footsteps echo in the hallway.

Bang. A single gunshot, followed by the heavy thud of a body hitting the ground. It’s over. Finally. And I feel happy, strangely, being someone who doesn’t like violence, I just witnessed, well heard, a man being killed by my boyfriend, but instead of fear or disgust all I feel is happy, because Abhimaan is finally free of his past, or should I say the reminder of his past because his past is what makes him how he is today and I love him for who he is, but I also know he never deserved it. So I guess being happy is fine? I sigh. Whether it’s okay or not, I am feeling content and whatwould give me more peace is burning this place down. I huff. I am going to burn this orphanage!

CHAPTER 58

ABHIMAAN

It’s been a week since everything settled. Harsh is finally discharged from the hospital, looking a lot better than the pale, stubborn man I’d seen lying on that bed for days. You’d think he’d take it slow, maybe rest, maybe read a book, maybe even let Aditi fuss over him without complaint.

But no. Harsh being Harsh, he insists he’s fine and is already talking about going back to his mountain trips, like he didn’t just scare half of us half to death.

And of course, Aditi isn’t having it. At least that’s the official reason she gives—“He’s not well enough yet.” The unofficial one? She enjoys the way they’ve been teaming up against me lately.

It was cute at first, honestly. My girlfriend and my only brother are forming this little alliance, ganging up on me with matching smirks and sly comments. But now? It’s getting ridiculous.

Like this morning.

I had my coffee in hand, reading emails, when Harsh strolled in and told me I’m banned from making any “business-related faces” before breakfast. I told him my face doesn’t have abusiness mode. Aditi, without looking up from buttering her toast, says, “It does. You’ve got the one-eyebrow thing going on right now. He’s right.”

I don’t have a “one eyebrow thing.” I said as much. They both raised one eyebrow. At the same time. And then laughed.

I didn’t even know people could rehearse expressions like that.

So, yes—my household is currently being run by this newfound sibling alliance. And they’re enjoying it far too much.