The boardroom was nearly empty when a sharp click of heels echoed against the marble floor. Veeresh looked up, his sharp gaze narrowing instantly.

“Ritika.” His voice was cold, detached. “Why are you here?”

His ex-wife smirked faintly. “I’ve come for my daughter. I want Anaya back.”

Veeresh leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. His lips curved into a mocking smile.

“Suddenly? Where was this motherly concern when you abandoned her? She wasn’t even five days old when you walked away.”

Ritika flinched but tried to mask it with pride. “Does your new wife really know how to raise her? Or is she just pretending?”

That was enough. Veeresh’s eyes hardened like steel.

“Poornima doesn’t pretend. She takes care of Anaya as her own blood. Better than you ever could. She doesn’t act—she lives for them. That’s what makes her more of a mother than you will ever be.”

Ritika’s lips trembled with anger. “She will leave you one day. Wait and watch.”

Veeresh stood, his tone sharp and final.

“Get. Out.”

Later that day, Poornima arrived at Rathore Industries, holding Anaya’s little hand. Veeresh’s gaze instantly softened.

“Poornima? What are you doing here?”

“I called you and messaged too,” she said gently. “Anaya wanted to have lunch with you. So we came.”

Something inside him eased at her words. “You can come anytime.”

He gestured for Adwait, then surprised them both.

“Bring two plates.”

When the food arrived, Veeresh pulled one plate toward Anaya and the second… he shared with Poornima. At first she blinked in surprise, but said nothing. She simply smiled faintly and ate with him, while Anaya giggled happily between them.

For Poornima, that simple act meant everything. In that moment, her heart quietly accepted what her mind had resisted—Veeresh had created his place beside her, in her life, in her heart. Pavan’s memories would always remain, but her present, her future, belonged here—with Veeresh and the children.

As they left the office, Poornima’s eyes caught sight of Ritika standing by the lobby, bitterness etched across her face. For a brief second, their eyes met.

But Poornima didn’t ask questions. She didn’t need to. She trusted Veeresh—wholeheartedly.

And that trust was something Ritika could never break.