✨CHAPTER 8 – A Morning That Felt Like Home✨

Sunlight filtered softly into the bedroom, warm and gentle.

Poornima blinked awake, feeling something heavy across her waist.

She looked down—and her heart almost stopped.

Veeresh.

Still sleeping.

Still snuggled against her like she was his personal pillow.

His hair was messy, his breath warm on her neck, his arm wrapped around her protectively.

She sighed.

“Veer… get up. You’re heavy.”

He groaned like a stubborn child and burrowed closer into her chest.

“Told you… don’t leave the bed…” he mumbled half-asleep.

Poornima froze—again—because this Veeresh was not the cold businessman people feared.

This Veeresh was soft.

Warm.

Human.

And for reasons she didn’t understand…

she couldn’t push him away.

Her hand moved on its own, gently brushing his hair.

“Veer… wake up.”

Instead, he pulled her tighter.

Poornima let out a helpless laugh.

“Fine… sleep. But don’t blame me when your arm goes numb.”

And somewhere between his warmth and the strange peace filling her chest, she drifted back into sleep with him.

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After Freshening Up

By the time they were both ready, the awkwardness wasn’t awkward anymore.

It felt… normal.

Comfortable.

Veeresh adjusted his watch and looked at her seriously.

“Poornima. I want you to come work in my company.”

Her eyes widened instantly.

“What?! Veer, do you even know what you’re saying?”

“Yes,” he said, firm and calm.

“I’m saying exactly what I want. No more discussions.”

She stared at him, stunned.

“But my parents— they stripped me off my position—”

“And I’m offering you a better one,” he interrupted.

“In my company. With me. Where no one can touch you or push you around.”

Her breath hitched.

This wasn’t sympathy.

This wasn’t obligation.

This was Veeresh choosing her.

Respecting her.

Believing in her.

She lowered her gaze, overwhelmed.

“Are you sure?”

He stepped closer, eyes steady on hers.

“Yes. Very sure.”

Poornima swallowed hard.

“…Okay.”

“Good,” he said softly.

“You go to my office. I’ll meet Priya and come back.”

Her heart tightened again—just a little.

“Okay… Veer,” she whispered.

He nodded.

And they walked to the door together.

Before leaving, Veeresh paused, glanced back at her, and said in that familiar teasing tone—

“Don’t hide your face in my office, okay? You’re my wife now.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Shut up and go.”

He smirked, satisfied.

And just like that,

Poornima left for his company—her new beginning—

and Veeresh drove off to end something he should’ve ended long ago.

To meet Priya.

With a different heart than he had yesterday.