Chapter: The Truth Buried in Blood

Delhi welcomed Veeresh with steel skies and sharp air.

The meeting with Digvijay Industries went smoothly—numbers aligned, visions matched.
Files were signed. Hands were shaken.

“Congratulations,” Digvijay said warmly.
“This partnership will change everything.”

Veeresh nodded politely.

Then Digvijay added, almost casually,
“Now Poornima’s parents will finally be at peace. Their daughter is marrying the one she was promised to.”

Veeresh froze.

“Sir… what are you saying?” he asked slowly.
“Poornima’s parents are alive.”

Digvijay looked at him—confused.

“No,” he said quietly.
“Kashinath Rathore is her uncle.
Her father was Vishwas Rathore—Kashinath’s younger brother.”

The room seemed to tilt.

“Poornima’s parents died when she was just one month old,” Digvijay continued.
“And your father, Devraj—he was Vishwas’s closest friend.”

Veeresh’s heartbeat thundered in his ears.

“They promised each other,” Digvijay said,
“that one day, you and Poornima would marry.”

Veeresh stood up abruptly.

“That’s impossible,” he said.
“She was treated like nothing in that house.
They removed her from Rathore Industries.
She signed away everything. She runs restaurants.”

Digvijay’s eyes hardened.

“Vishwas knew,” he said quietly.
“He knew his brother would try to erase her.”

Veeresh clenched his fists.

“Have you heard of PV Industries?” Digvijay asked.

Veeresh swallowed.
“Yes.”

“That company,” Digvijay continued,
“was founded by Vishwas Rathore—secretly.”

“No one knows,” Veeresh said slowly.
“Except me.”

Digvijay nodded.

“It belongs to Poornima. She is the sole heir of Rathore property and PV Industries.”

Veeresh’s mind raced.

“She thinks Kashinath is her father,” he said hoarsely.
“She believes her parents are alive.”

Digvijay sighed.

“That was Vishwas’s decision—to protect her,” he said.
“But now, it’s time for you to protect her.”

Then he placed another file on the table.

“I want VD and PV Industries to merge.”

Veeresh looked at the file, then away.

“But Poornima should know,” he said firmly.

“Not now,” Digvijay replied.
“After marriage. Let her settle. Let her feel safe.”

He paused, then added softly,

“Promise me you’ll take care of her.”

Veeresh didn’t hesitate.

“I promise.”

“And tell your father,” Digvijay said.
“He deserves to know.”

Digvijay slid the final document forward.

“We’ll need Poornima’s signature for the merger.
Get it—without her knowledge.
After marriage, you tell her everything.”

The words felt heavy.

Veeresh closed his eyes briefly.

“Alright,” he said finally.
“But I won’t lie to her forever.”

As he signed, one thought burned through him—

They broke her. Used her. Erased her.
And she still smiled.

Veeresh Devraj stood there, no longer just a businessman—

But a man who now carried her truth.

And he swore silently—

No one would ever hurt Poornima Rathore again.