Chapter 40

Veeresh stepped inside the Raj mansion with Poornima beside him and Veda resting comfortably in her arms, his fingers tightening slightly around Poornima’s hand as if he didn’t want even a step of distance now. The moment she crossed the threshold, her eyes moved across the grand space, but they stopped abruptly when she saw a familiar face standing near the stairs.

“Ritika?” the name slipped out before she could stop herself.

The girl turned, equally surprised. “Poornima?”

Poornima blinked, trying to process it, then looked at Veeresh. “Veer… she is my sister.”

Veeresh’s brows lifted slightly. “Your sister?” he repeated, then let out a faint breath. “She’s married to my elder brother.”

Poornima stared for a second, then suddenly laughed, disbelief mixing with amusement. “So she is my bhabhi now?”

Veeresh chuckled lightly at that, shaking his head. “Looks like it.”

Ritika walked closer, still surprised but smiling now. “You never told me you knew them,” she said, looking between both of them.

Poornima adjusted Veda in her arms, still smiling. “I didn’t know either.”

Veeresh then stepped forward, his hand still holding Poornima’s, and said, “Ritika, this is Poornima…” he paused for a second, then added clearly, “my wife.”

That landed.

Ritika’s eyes widened slightly before a smile followed. “Oh… so this is the surprise,” she said softly.

Veeresh then looked at the baby. “And this is Veda.”

Ritika’s expression softened immediately as she looked at the child in Poornima’s arms. “She looks comfortable already,” she said.

Poornima glanced down at Veda, who was quietly resting against her, and smiled faintly. “She is.”

Veeresh watched that moment silently.

His hand didn’t leave hers.