Chapter 9: The Breaking Point

The silence in the house was unbearable.

Poornima could feel the tension in the air thickening with each passing second. She avoided Veeresh — but tonight, it wasn’t enough.

Veeresh stood at the door of her room, his voice cold but shaking.

> “Where were you yesterday?”

Poornima turned, confused. “Office. Why?”

> “Don’t lie to me. I saw them… your ex-husband’s family.”

Her heart stopped.

> “You were… smiling at them. Talking. Secret meetings now?” he mocked, eyes dark.

That was it.

Poornima marched up to him and grabbed his collar, tears threatening to spill.

> “They came to apologize! To say sorry for blaming me! And you… you were watching and doubting me?”

Her voice cracked with rage and heartbreak.

Veeresh’s breathing was heavy. His fists clenched.

> “My past isn’t clean, Poornima. You don’t know what it feels like to love someone, trust them, and lose them in one night. I gave Sahana everything — and she left me! And now you’re speaking with your past too. My insecurities, my doubts… they’re choking me!”

Before she could reply, he turned and punched the glass cabinet nearby.

CRASH.

Blood dripped down his palm.

Poornima gasped. “Veeresh!”

She ran to him, tearing her white dupatta and wrapping it tightly around his bleeding hand.

> “Why are you hurting yourself?” she whispered.

And then she crumbled.

She fell to her knees, voice trembling.

> “Don’t hurt me, Veeresh… I don’t have the strength anymore. Please, if you have questions — ask me. But don’t ever, ever question my character.”

> “I’ve been blamed enough in life. I took the blame when my first husband died. I stayed silent when you left me. I carried that guilt like a curse. But not anymore. Either trust me or just… leave me.”

Veeresh dropped beside her.

His breathing was uneven. His body trembling with emotion. And without a word, he hugged her tightly, resting his bleeding hand against her back, his head on her shoulder.

No words.

Just silence.

Two broken people — finding comfort in each other’s presence for the first time.