Poornima completed the remaining rituals, her fingers trembling slightly as she offered flowers and incense at the puja. The soft glow of the diya illuminated her face, casting shadows that mirrored the storm inside her. Every chant, every gesture, made the reality of her new life sink in—she was now part of Veeresh’s world, whether she wanted it or not.

Finally, she took a deep breath and made her way toward Veeresh’s room, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. She paused at the door, hearing the faint rustle of movement inside. Summoning courage, she knocked softly.

“Come in,” his voice called, calm, commanding, and unmistakably his.

She entered, and Veeresh’s sharp gaze immediately found her. He was leaning casually against the table, arms crossed, but his eyes held that dangerous intensity that always made her pulse quicken.

“You’ve completed the rituals,” he said, voice low. “Good. Now you’re officially mine.”

Poornima stiffened. “Veeresh… I—”

He stepped forward, cutting her off, his presence overwhelming. “No more hesitations, Poornima. You are part of this family now. Part of me.”

She swallowed hard, feeling the tension coil tight inside her. “I don’t want—”

Before she could finish, Veeresh reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering. “Stop denying it,” he said, voice low, deliberate. “You may fight me, resist me… but I will not let you pretend this doesn’t matter.”

Poornima felt a spark ignite somewhere deep in her chest, a mixture of fear, anger, and something unfamiliar—something that made her chest tighten. She looked away, trying to regain control.

Veeresh moved closer, tilting her chin gently so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “You are mine, Poornima. And I will take care of you. No one will ever hurt you in this house again.”

Her breath caught. She wanted to argue, to push back—but the firmness in his tone, the promise in his eyes, left her powerless.

“Now,” he said, releasing her chin and stepping back, “rest. Tomorrow, your life in this palace truly begins. And you’ll see… it’s not as simple as being enemies anymore.”

Poornima’s hands trembled slightly, but she nodded, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Alone in her room later, she could feel the pull of Veeresh’s presence still lingering, the tension between them thick, undeniable, and unspoken.

The enemies-to-lovers journey had officially begun—and neither of them were ready to admit just how much it would change them both.