The penthouse was quiet after dinner. The only sound was the faint ticking of the clock and the occasional clink of cutlery being put away.

Veeresh broke the silence, his voice calm but firm.

“Poornima… you need to get back to India. Rathore Industries is drowning. Your sister can’t handle it alone.”

Poornima frowned, her heart tightening. “She’s capable… she’ll take care of everything. I don’t need to—”

Veeresh cut her off, his gaze sharp. “Don’t lie to me. You’re taking this personally — revenge because she married the man you loved.”

Her chest ached. His words cut deep, reminding her of the past she wished she could rewrite. “No,” she whispered, voice breaking slightly, trying to hide the heartbreak.

Veeresh leaned back, still unflinching. “Then go help. Don’t be heartless. You can’t stand by and do nothing.”

Poornima’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “You don’t know my sister,” she said quietly. “She was always jealous of me — school, Pavan, company… everything I liked, she tried to snatch away. And my father didn’t even ask me before giving her the position… he just handed it to her.”

Veeresh listened, his expression unreadable, but his eyes softened slightly as she spoke.

“Keep all that aside,” he finally said, voice measured but firm. “Go. Help her and the company. This isn’t about personal grudges — it’s about responsibility. And…” he paused, looking at her, “I am also giving this marriage a chance. You deserve it. I may not have forgotten what you did… but I’m trying. So you should too.”

Her chest tightened again at his words, a mixture of surprise and warmth flooding her.

Veeresh picked up his phone and typed a few details before handing it to her. “I’ve booked your flight. And your phone should stay on — I’ll be calling you.”

Poornima took the phone, her fingers brushing his briefly. She felt a small, unspoken acknowledgment in that touch.

“Okay,” she said softly, her smile quiet but genuine.

For the first time in a long while, both felt the weight of responsibility and the fragile beginnings of trust — a delicate balance of duty and growing understanding that neither could yet put into words.