Chapter 28: Mine to Protect

The moment she finished, the silence didn’t last.

Veeresh pulled her into him instantly, his arms wrapping around her tightly, firmly, as if he was holding together every broken piece she had just laid out.

“Noor…”

His voice was low, steady.

He pressed his lips against hers, not rushed, not demanding, just enough to calm her trembling, to bring her back from everything she had relived.

She held onto him, her fingers gripping his shirt, her breath slowly settling.

“You’re brave,” he said softly, his forehead resting against hers. “You walked away from that.”

Her eyes filled again, but this time… it wasn’t fear.

“Please don’t cry,” he added, brushing her tears away. “You don’t worry about anything.”

She looked at him, searching his face.

“I’ll handle everything,” he said, his tone leaving no space for doubt. “You just be happy… and stay with me.”

Her grip on him tightened.

“And don’t say we’ll live separately,” he continued, pulling her closer, his hand firm around her back. “I can’t, Noor.”

She shook her head slightly, but he didn’t let her move away.

“You’re mine now,” he said quietly, his eyes steady on hers. “Everything belongs to me… your pain… your happiness…”

Her breath caught.

“And you…” he added, softer this time. “…you’re only Veeresh ka Noor.”

For the first time, those words didn’t feel overwhelming.

They felt… safe.

A small smile appeared through her tears as she hugged him back, just as firmly.

He exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening for a second.

“That bastard…” he muttered under his breath. “I’ll take care of him.”

Poornima looked up immediately, but before she could say anything, he leaned in again, his lips brushing hers softly, grounding her back into the moment.

Then he pulled back just enough, a faint smile returning.

“Now…” he murmured near her ear, his tone lighter, “can we go for two more rounds?”

She blinked at him, surprised for a second…

Then she smiled.