The early morning light spilled gently across the penthouse bedroom, warm and golden.

Veeresh lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.

Last night had changed everything.

Last night… she had chosen him.

Completely.

Without fear.

Without hesitation.

He remembered every moment—

Her trembling confession,

His whispered promises,

The way they held each other like they had waited years.

Nothing crude.

Nothing rushed.

Just two souls finally surrendering to a truth they had run from too long.

But now reality settled in his chest like weight.

He hadn’t used protection.

He hadn’t even thought.

He was too overwhelmed, too lost in finally having her close, finally feeling her warmth not in anger or distance—but in love.

He dragged a hand through his hair, guilt tightening in his throat.

“Was it real?”

“Did she just… feel emotional?”

“Did I take advantage of her pain?”

His mind was spiraling when he felt soft fingers touch his arm.

Poornima.

She was awake, her hair messy, her cheeks flushed, her eyes warm.

She smiled softly—

The kind of smile that reached her eyes and made him forget how to breathe.

“It wasn’t timepass,” she whispered before he could speak.

Her voice gentle, steady, sure.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

He swallowed, the tension in his jaw easing just a little.

“I didn’t use any protection…” Veeresh murmured, guilt thick in his voice.

“I wasn’t thinking. I—”

She placed a finger on his lips.

“It’s okay.”

She smiled again, a little shy, a little emotional.

“It was us. Not a mistake.”

He stared at her like she was saying something impossible.

“Are you sure?” he asked quietly.

“Because… last night, I felt things I never thought I could feel.

I want to feel everything with you, Poornima.

No hiding. No going back.”

She blinked, surprised, her heart squeezing painfully.

“You’re telling the truth?” she whispered.

He leaned forward, cupped her cheek gently, and pressed the softest kiss to her lips—

slow, reassuring, full of warmth.

“Yes,” he breathed against her mouth.

“Every word.”

Her face brightened with a blush as she pulled back slightly, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Then don’t hurt me again,” she warned, narrowing her eyes playfully.

“Because if you do… I will shoot you.”

Veeresh actually laughed—

A sound she had never heard from him.

A sound she didn’t know she would fall in love with instantly.

He pulled her into his chest, resting his chin on her head.

“You won’t ever need to,” he murmured.

“I’m yours. Completely.”

And for the first time… he finally allowed himself to believe it.