Chapter 23: A Name Given, A Place Claimed

The office had changed.

Not in structure. Not in routine.

But in the way people looked at her.

Poornima could feel it.

The whispers didn’t stop when she entered… they only lowered.

Eyes followed her a little longer.

Questions stayed in the air.

She tried to ignore it.

She sat at her desk, opened her files, focused on her work.

But then—

“Did you notice?”

“She keeps going to his cabin…”

“Something is there…”

Poornima’s fingers paused.

Her heart tightened slightly.

“She’s just an employee, right?”

“Or maybe not…”

A soft laugh followed.

She closed her eyes for a second.

Not because she felt guilty.

But because she didn’t want this.

Not like this.

Her phone buzzed.

Conference room. Now.

She stood up immediately.

When she entered, everyone was already there.

The whole team.

The air felt different.

Tense.

Veeresh stood in front, calm as ever.

Her eyes met his for a brief second.

He didn’t look away.

“Everyone here?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Ritwik replied.

Veeresh didn’t waste time.

“Poornima is my wife.”

Silence.

No one moved.

No one spoke.

The words settled heavily.

“She is Poornima Veeresh Thakur,” he continued. “If anyone has doubts, clear them now.”

No response.

Shock was clear on every face.

The whispers from before had disappeared.

“There will be no discussions about her. No assumptions. No disrespect,” he said firmly.

“Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” everyone replied.

“You can leave.”

One by one, they walked out.

Quiet.

No one dared to look back.

The door closed.

Now it was just them.

Poornima stood still, her heartbeat loud in her chest.

He walked toward her.

Slow.

Steady.

Before she could say anything, he pulled her close and pinned her against the wall.

Her breath caught.

“Veer…” she whispered.

He didn’t stop.

He kissed her.

Deep.

Certain.

Not rushed.

Not hesitant.

Like he was making something clear without words.

Her hands held his shirt lightly, her eyes closing as she responded.

This time… she didn’t hesitate.

When he pulled back, his hand stayed at her waist.

“Remember,” he said softly, “you’re my wife.”

She looked at him, her voice steady now.

“Yes, Veer.”

He leaned in again and placed a soft peck on her lips.

“Leave. I’ll be late.”

She nodded.

“Okay… come soon.”

He didn’t reply.

But his eyes stayed on her for a moment.

She turned and walked out.

Her steps were calm.

But inside…

Everything felt clear.

No whispers mattered anymore.

No doubts remained.

Because he had said it.

In front of everyone.

And in that moment—

She didn’t just feel it.

She knew it.