The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, scattering golden light across the room.

Poornima opened her eyes to find herself still in his arms — his head resting near hers, his hand loosely holding hers. For a second, she didn’t move. She just watched him — Veeresh Rajawat, the man she once feared, once broke, now slowly becoming her home.

He stirred, eyes half open, a faint smile touching his lips.

“Good morning,” he said in his husky morning voice.

Poornima smiled back, her heart fluttering. “Good morning, Mr. Rajawat.”

He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You’re smiling too much lately,” he teased.

She blushed lightly. “Maybe someone’s giving me a reason to.”

He didn’t reply, but his soft chuckle said enough.

---

Downstairs, the aroma of coffee filled the air. Poornima was busy preparing breakfast, humming under her breath. Veeresh sat on the couch, scanning through a few business files, though his eyes kept flicking toward her now and then — almost unconsciously.

It was new for both of them.

To want someone around.

To feel peace in shared silence.

The housekeeper, noticing their quiet ease, smiled knowingly before leaving them alone.

As Poornima placed the plates on the table, her phone buzzed — a message from an unknown number.

She opened it.

“You think he truly forgave you? Wait till he knows what I know.” — S

Her smile faltered for a moment. She didn’t need to guess who it was.

Sahana. Again.

She locked her phone and looked up — Veeresh was watching her, eyes soft, unaware of the message.

Poornima took a deep breath, deciding not to say anything. She wouldn’t let anyone — not even Sahana — ruin what was finally mending.

---

The day passed peacefully. Veeresh had meetings; Poornima visited the company again to monitor the changes she’d implemented.

Every few hours, he would call or text — short but steady messages.

“Had lunch?”

“Don’t stress yourself.”

“Reaching home by 8.”

And each one made her smile wider.

That night, they sat together in the living room — Veeresh with his laptop, Poornima with her tablet, working side by side. Occasionally, their hands brushed when reaching for the same coffee mug, and each time, neither pulled away.

There were no grand words, no promises — just quiet understanding.

They didn’t talk about Sahana. They didn’t talk about the past.

They were simply… being.

Dependent not out of weakness, but trust.

Healing not through words, but presence.

And as the night deepened, Veeresh looked at her and said softly,

“Poornima… I don’t know when, but I’ve started needing you.”

Her heart skipped.

She smiled and said, “Then I’ll make sure you never lose me.”