The room glowed faintly with the warmth of a hundred candles. Rose petals scattered across the white sheets, the fragrance thick in the air.

Poornima sat quietly on the edge of the bed, her green saree heavy with ornaments, her heart racing in ways she had never known before. She traced the edge of her mangalsutra, the chain that had bound her to him just hours ago.

The door clicked shut.

Veeresh walked in, his tux discarded for a simple shirt, but his presence still carried the weight of power. His gaze locked on her, sharp, unyielding, yet softened by something no one else in the world ever saw.

Without a word, he crossed the room and pulled her up to her feet. His hand slid behind her neck, tilting her face upward.

Then, his lips crashed onto hers.

The kiss was deep, hungry, filled with years of emotions he had never spoken. Veeresh kissed like a man starved — as though he had been holding himself back forever and tonight he refused to wait.

Poornima gasped, her body tensing, but his voice came rough against her lips. “Kiss back, Poornima.”

Something inside her melted. Slowly, shyly, her lips began to move with his, soft at first… until his hand gripped her waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss.

It wasn’t just passion. It was raw, unfiltered emotion — the love he had buried, the longing he had hidden beneath cold stares and ruthless masks. Every press of his lips told her what he had never dared to confess.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers, their breaths tangled. His voice was hoarse, almost vulnerable.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this.”

Poornima’s eyes fluttered open, meeting his. For the first time, she saw not Lucifer, not the ruthless businessman… but Veeresh, her best friend, her anchor, her everything.

And as she leaned back into his arms, she knew — something had changed forever.