The night was heavy in Jodhpur Palace. The lamps burned low, throwing golden shadows across the walls, while the desert winds whispered against the windows. In their chamber, Poornima sat on the carved wooden sofa, her saree pallu draped loosely, watching Veeresh pace like a caged lion.

He finally stopped, his gaze locking onto hers with that intensity that always unsettled her.

“You said you wanted truth, Poornima.” His voice was deep, gravelly. “Tonight, you’ll get it. All of it. No masks, no games.”

Poornima straightened, her heart steady but curious. “I’m listening.”

Veeresh leaned against the desk, arms folded, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips—mocking himself. “In the world of business, they call me a magnate. In the world of shadows, they call me a devil. I built Raj Industries with numbers and blood. I cut deals with kings in boardrooms and criminals in alleyways. I wasn’t always cold, Poornima—but I learned. To survive, you must be ruthless. To rule, you must be feared.”

His words hung in the air, a confession that carried more weight than apology.

Poornima’s lips parted, but she didn’t interrupt.

Veeresh’s eyes flickered, softer for just a second. “And before you, there was someone. A woman I thought I loved.” His jaw tightened. “She wanted my empire, not me. She betrayed me. Sold me out to my enemies. I buried that part of me with her betrayal. Since then, I’ve trusted no one. Until you walked in.”

Silence stretched. Poornima could feel the truth carving into her chest—raw, jagged, real.

Then Veeresh tilted his head, and for the first time that night, his lips curved into a sly, dangerous smile. “And you, Mrs. Raj… aren’t as innocent as you look.”

Poornima’s breath hitched. “What do you mean?”

Veeresh crossed the room in two strides, crouching before her, his hand sliding up to tilt her chin. “You think I don’t know? The princess of Mewar… secretly writing on Wattpad? Especially smut?” His voice dropped into a whisper against her ear. “You have a dirty little pen name, don’t you, Poornima?”

Her eyes widened, cheeks blazing, but she didn’t deny it.

Veeresh chuckled low, his breath warm against her skin. “The devil marries a secret sinner. What irony.” He leaned back, his eyes searching hers, sharp yet softened with something unspoken. “But I’m not judging. In fact…” His lips curved into a smirk. “I like this side of you. Honest. Bold. Raw.”

Poornima swallowed, words tangled on her tongue. The weight of his secrets and the exposure of hers pressed between them like a storm ready to break.