Chapter 41: When Fear Took Over

The boardroom was filled with quiet intensity.

Veeresh stood at the head of the table, discussing the new infrastructure expansion project. The plans were laid out clearly, projections, investments, timelines, every detail moving with precision under his control.

Rayan was beside him, explaining the overseas textile partnership and the upcoming investor meet.

Everything was moving as expected.

Until his phone vibrated.

Once.

Then again.

Then again.

Veeresh glanced at it.

Poornima.

Three missed calls.

His expression changed instantly.

She would never call like that unless something was wrong.

He raised his hand, stopping the discussion mid sentence.

“I will be back,” he said briefly.

He stepped aside and immediately called her.

The call connected within seconds.

“Veer…” her voice came out shaky.

“Please come home.”

That was enough.

Something was wrong.

“Five minutes,” he said quickly. “I will be there.”

“Please,” she whispered.

The call cut.

Veeresh turned back, his face completely different now.

“Rayan, continue the meeting,” he said.

Then he looked at the board members.

“Emergency. I need to leave.”

No one questioned him.

He walked out immediately.

Within minutes, he was driving back home, his grip tight on the steering wheel, his mind running faster than the car.

When he reached, he did not slow down.

He walked straight to the room.

And stopped.

Poornima was sitting on the bed, crying, holding her chest.

Her face pale.

Her breathing uneven.

Mannat was asleep beside her.

Peaceful.

Unaware.

“Poornima,” he said, moving toward her immediately. “What happened?”

She looked at him, tears falling continuously.

“Veer… my chest is paining,” she said, her voice breaking. “Shona is asleep… I cannot wake her up… it is paining too much… please…”

Her words came in fragments.

Her pain was real.

Veeresh did not waste a second.

He picked up his phone and called the doctor immediately.

“Doctor, she has severe chest pain,” he said, his voice controlled but urgent. “She is feeding the baby. The baby is asleep and she cannot wake her. Pain is increasing.”

He listened carefully as the doctor spoke.

“Yes… yes… understood,” he replied.

He cut the call and turned to Poornima immediately.

“Listen to me,” he said gently but firmly. “It is because of milk accumulation. The doctor said it happens when feeding is delayed.”

He paused, making sure she was listening.

“You need to express the milk immediately,” he continued. “Warm compress will help. And if the pain does not reduce, we will go to the hospital right now.”

Poornima nodded weakly, still holding her chest.

“It hurts,” she whispered.

“I know,” he said softly.

He helped her sit properly, his movements careful, supporting her as she tried to steady herself.

“I am here,” he said quietly.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

But enough for her to hold onto.

And for the first time in that moment,

Poornima did not feel alone in her pain.