Light filtered softly through the curtains as Poornima stirred awake. Her head was heavy, her body sore, but the familiar warmth of Anaya’s small hand holding hers brought comfort.

“You feeling good, Mama?” the little girl asked, her voice full of innocence and concern.

Poornima smiled, tears prickling her eyes. “Yes, Anu… yes, I’m feeling better. Can you please give me some water?”

Anaya’s face lit up with happiness. She ran to fetch the glass and returned carefully, handing it to Poornima. “Here you go, Mama.”

Poornima sipped slowly, feeling the cool relief slide down. Then Anaya’s small hand rested against her cheek. “You’ll stay here, right, Mama?”

Poornima smiled through the tears. “Yes, Anu. I’ll stay. Always.”

From the doorway, Veeresh watched quietly. His expression was unreadable, but the weight in his chest betrayed him. “Anu, go now. I have to talk to Poornima,” he said gently.

The little girl nodded and ran off, leaving them alone.

Veeresh stepped closer, his voice steady, carrying the authority he never turned off. “Poornima… Shekhawat Industries is under my name. Pavan transferred everything to me before… before he left. The company, the business—everything is mine to manage now.”

Poornima listened, her hands trembling as she processed the reality.

He continued, softer now, a rare vulnerability breaking through his usual steel. “You and the baby… you are mine to protect. I promised my best friend, and I will never let him down.”

Before she could respond, Veeresh took a mangalsutra from his coat pocket and tied it around her neck. The gesture was intimate, sacred, and heavy with meaning. Poornima’s tears fell freely now, a mixture of grief, relief, and the weight of the promise they had inherited.

“Sleep now, Poornima,” he said quietly. Then, for the first time in years, Veeresh allowed himself to slip into the other side of the bed, lying beside her. He kept his distance, maintaining the decorum of respect, yet his presence was a shield, a quiet promise of protection.

Poornima closed her eyes, feeling the strength of the man beside her, the love of her child, and the echo of a best friend’s final wish. For the first time since the tragedy, a fragile sense of peace settled over them.

And in the quiet of Rathore Mansion, a new chapter had begun.