Chapter 5 — The Woman Who Stayed

The car finally stopped in front of Veeresh’s penthouse.

Before the driver could even open the door, Veeresh stepped out and lifted Poornima into his arms again. She wrapped her arms around his neck lazily, watching him with half-drunk eyes.

“Hope men are like you,” she murmured softly.

Veeresh looked down at her while walking toward the elevator. “No, you don’t.”

The elevator doors closed.

Silence surrounded them.

He stared at her carefully before speaking again. “Why are you drunk? You don’t look like someone who drinks often.”

Poornima looked away for the first time that night.

“Felt like drinking to forget everything,” she whispered bitterly. “But I couldn’t, Salvatore.”

Something about her voice felt too honest.

Too broken.

Veeresh’s expression darkened slightly, but he said nothing.

The penthouse doors opened moments later. The house was luxurious, cold, and silent — exactly like him. He carried her to his room and carefully placed her on the edge of the bed.

Poornima looked around once before her eyes returned to him.

“Salvatore,” she called softly.

Veeresh removed his watch slowly, though his attention never left her. “Hmm?”

“I’m serious.”

He paused.

Poornima stood up unsteadily and walked closer to him. Despite the alcohol in her system, her gaze remained stubborn and fearless.

“Yes or no?” she asked quietly. “I need you.”

Veeresh’s jaw tightened.

“If not,” she continued, “I’ll leave from here.”

For a long moment, he simply stared at her.

Nobody spoke to him this way.

Nobody demanded him.

People feared him, obeyed him, avoided him.

But Poornima?

She looked at him like he was simply a man.

Not Salvatore.

Not a monster.

Just Veeresh.

And somehow, that was far more dangerous.