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The air was still warm after their laughter faded. Veeresh sat on the floor, breathing heavily, while Poornima grinned proudly — her punishment had worked its charm again.

> “Ruby,” he said, his tone low but teasing, “you really enjoy punishing me, don’t you?”

Poornima crossed her arms dramatically, pretending to think.

> “Hmm… maybe I do. It keeps you disciplined, Mr. Underworld Don.”

Veeresh chuckled deeply, shaking his head.

> “You’re the only one in the world who can make me do push-ups as punishment,” he said, amusement lacing his voice.

She giggled and replied, “That’s because I’m special. And I know you’ll do anything for me.”

Veeresh raised a brow.

> “Anything?”

> “Anything,” she repeated confidently.

He leaned closer, his eyes soft yet burning with something tender.

> “Then, Ruby… what do you really want?”

Poornima blinked, a shy smile creeping across her lips.

> “A family,” she whispered. “Our family. I want to build it with you.”

For the first time, Veeresh didn’t hide behind his stoic mask. His expression softened — not as a don, not as a man feared by millions, but as a husband who finally understood what love felt like.

> “You already planned names, didn’t you?” he teased.

Poornima laughed, caught red-handed.

> “Maybe,” she said, playfully poking his chest. “Three kids — two boys and one girl. And I’ll name them all.”

> “You even decided the number?” Veeresh said, feigning shock. “You’re not just planning; you’re running the entire operation.”

> “Of course!” she said proudly. “You run syndicates; I’ll run our home. Balance, Mr. Deewan.”

Veeresh smiled, unable to resist her charm anymore. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

> “Fine, Ruby. Three kids, your names, your rules. But one condition.”

> “What condition?” she asked curiously.

> “Every time you get angry,” he said, smirking, “no more punishments involving push-ups. My men are starting to think their boss lost his mind.”

Poornima laughed so hard she almost fell back.

> “No deal! Those punishments stay. They remind you that I’m the queen of this empire — and your life.”

Veeresh pulled her closer, his hand on her waist.

> “Queen of my empire, yes. But also… the peace in my chaos.”

Poornima’s laughter faded into a soft smile as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

> “And you,” she whispered, “are the home I never knew I needed.”

He kissed the top of her head gently.

> “Then let’s start building it… together.”

The night outside was calm, but inside that mansion, the underworld king and his queen had just begun a new kind of empire — one built not on power or fear, but on trust, laughter, and the promise of a future written only for the two of them.

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