Chapter 46 – The Night Before

The Rai mansion was alive with lights and preparations. Strings of flowers hung from the gates, servants rushed about with trays, and chatter filled the halls. Tomorrow was Poornima’s engagement with Ridhabh Raj. To everyone else, it was a perfect alliance between two powerful families.

But for Poornima, it was a cage.

That evening, as she sat in her room, her phone buzzed. A message. Her breath stilled when she saw it—a photo of her, secretly taken, with harsh words typed beneath: Stop resisting. Tomorrow you will be engaged. If you try anything, your dignity will be ruined.

Her hands shook. She knew it wasn’t Ridhabh—it felt like someone else, lurking, watching. Fear twisted inside her, but there was only one person she could turn to.

When Veeresh came that night, she showed him the phone with trembling fingers. “Veer… have you told anyone about us?”

He frowned, taking the phone. “No. Not a soul.”

She pushed the message toward him. “Then who sent this? Who is watching me?”

Veeresh’s sharp eyes scanned the words, then the photo. His jaw clenched. His entire aura shifted—cold, dangerous. “Don’t worry,” he said, voice low and certain. “Whoever dared to threaten you will face worse than they can imagine.”

Poornima looked at him, fear still flickering in her eyes. “But Veer… tomorrow is my engagement.”

And then, suddenly, Veeresh’s hard expression cracked into a smirk. He leaned back, eyes glinting with something mischievous. “Oh yes. Tomorrow is your engagement.” He paused for effect, lips curving. “That should be… fun.”

Poornima blinked in disbelief. “Fun? What joke is there in that?”

He leaned closer, tilting her chin up with one finger, his smile deepening. “You’ll find out tomorrow, Mrs. Raj.”

Her heart skipped. The way he said her name, so certain, so full of possession, sent shivers through her.

Then, without warning, he pulled her close, his lips brushing near her ear. “Shall we… tonight?”

She flushed instantly, pushing lightly against his chest. “No. I’m sleepy.”

For a second, his eyes narrowed playfully, but then he chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright. But remember… you can’t escape me, Poornima. Not tonight, not ever.”

He lay down beside her, pulling her into his arms. His warmth wrapped around her as his hand rested firmly at her waist, anchoring her. Slowly, his breathing steadied, sleep taking over.

Poornima lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling. But then she turned slightly, watching his face in the dim light. He looked younger, softer, peaceful in sleep.

Her lips curved into the faintest smile. She reached up, brushing his hair gently from his forehead, and whispered silently in her heart: Whatever storm tomorrow brings, I will face it with you.

Veeresh stirred faintly, holding her closer in his sleep. And together, they drifted into the fragile calm before the chaos of dawn.