Chapter 21 — Breathe With Me

Poornima had barely entered her room when the door slammed open.

Mr. Rathore stood there, furious.

Before she could even speak, his hand struck her across the face.

The sound echoed inside the room.

Poornima’s head turned slightly from the impact, but she didn’t react.

Didn’t cry.

Didn’t argue.

Because she was used to it.

Mr. Rathore looked at her coldly. “Where were you last night?”

Poornima slowly looked back at him, her face completely calm despite the burning pain on her cheek.

“I was at the club,” she answered quietly. “Then I went to Sanjay’s house.”

Her father narrowed his eyes. “My men tracked your location.”

For one second, her heartbeat stopped.

“It shows you were with Veeresh Dreewan.”

Poornima forced herself not to react. “No.”

Mr. Rathore immediately pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

Poornima’s fingers clenched tightly beside her.

The call connected.

“Yes?” Veeresh’s calm voice came through.

Mr. Rathore spoke coldly. “Was my daughter with you last night?”

There was a brief silence.

Poornima’s chest tightened painfully.

Then Veeresh answered smoothly.

“No.”

Not even hesitation.

Mr. Rathore exhaled sharply. “Thanks for confirming. I had doubts about her.”

The call ended immediately.

Poornima looked down silently, relief crashing through her so hard it almost weakened her knees.

Her father stared at her one final time.

“Get ready,” he ordered. “Your engagement is fixed today.”

Poornima’s expression remained empty.

“Yes,” she replied softly. “I will. You don’t need to worry.”

Mr. Rathore left the room without another glance.

The moment the door closed, Poornima locked it quickly.

And broke.

Her breathing turned uneven instantly.

Her chest tightened painfully.

The walls suddenly felt too close.

Panic attack.

She slid down near the door, trying desperately to breathe properly as trembling started in her hands.

Her phone rang suddenly.

Veeresh.

Poornima answered immediately, unable to even speak properly.

“Poornima?” Veeresh’s voice sharpened instantly. “Are you okay?”

“Yes…” she whispered weakly.

But Veeresh heard it.

The shaking breath.

The silence between words.

Years of reading dangerous situations had made him terrifyingly observant.

“Breathe with me,” he ordered calmly.

Poornima shut her eyes tightly.

“Inhale.”

She obeyed.

“Slowly.”

His voice remained low, steady, controlled.

“Again.”

Poornima followed his breathing silently over the phone until the tightness in her chest slowly began fading.

“I’m fine now,” she whispered after a few minutes.

Veeresh stayed silent for a second before asking quietly, “Did he hurt you?”

Poornima looked away immediately. “Thank you for not telling dad.”

That answer alone told him everything.

Something cold settled inside Veeresh Dreewan.

The kind of coldness that usually ended with bloodshed.

But his voice remained calm for her sake.

“Okay.”

Poornima wiped her tears quickly before speaking again. “I’ll call you later.”

Before he could say anything else, she disconnected the call.

Veeresh stared at the silent phone in his hand, his jaw tightening dangerously.

Because now Salvatore Dreewan had officially crossed a line inside himself—

Nobody touched what belonged to him.