Veeresh held her tightly, eyes searching hers with a storm of emotions.

“Poornima,” he whispered, “tell me the truth.”

She looked up, confused.

“What truth?”

He brushed his lips across her cheek softly—

a gentle kiss that still made her knees weaken.

“Why,” he said quietly,

“did you always see me as your enemy?”

Her breath hitched.

His closeness…

his voice…

it was too much.

“Veer—”

“No.”

He pressed another kiss on her other cheek, slow and lingering.

“I want the truth. You fought with me… ignored me… but still—”

His hand slid to her waist, firm, not letting her step back.

“You used me,” he murmured.

“You wanted to escape… and you dragged me into this marriage.”

Poornima froze, hurt flashing in her eyes.

“No, Veer. That’s not true.”

“Then what?” he demanded softly, forehead touching hers.

“What was I to you? A weapon? A way out? Someone convenient?”

She shook her head, voice trembling.

“No… Veer… I never saw you like that.”

He stared, waiting.

Poornima swallowed hard.

“It’s just…”

Her voice cracked a little.

“Whenever I needed help—whenever I was scared—your name would be the first in my mind.

Always.”

Veeresh’s grip softened.

“But,” she whispered, “I didn’t want to drag you into my mess. My life… my parents… their decisions… all the pressure…”

A tear slipped down her cheek.

“And now I did drag you in.”

Veeresh’s thumb gently wiped it away.

“Poornima…” he breathed.

Silence.

A second.

A heartbeat.

Then he cupped her face and pulled her into a kiss—

not rushed,

not wild,

but deep, emotional, full of years of unsaid things.

Poornima melted into him, holding onto his shoulders as if he was the only solid thing in her life.

The kiss lingered.

Soft.

Intense.

Their first true emotional connection.

When they finally parted, his forehead rested on hers.

“I want us,” he whispered.

“Not for escape. Not because of problems.

But because I want you.”

Her lips curved into a small, warm smile.

“Forever?” she asked softly.

He nodded, eyes burning with sincerity.

“Forever.”

Poornima leaned against his chest, finally at peace, finally not alone.

And Veeresh held her like he never wanted to let go.