Chapter 31 — Even If You’re My Son

Mr. Dreewan remained silent for a long moment after hearing Veeresh speak about Poornima.

Then his expression slowly hardened.

“Why did you get engaged to her?”

Veeresh looked at him.

His father’s voice turned colder. “If you’re using her for revenge against the Rathores…”

The atmosphere inside the room changed instantly.

Veeresh’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

But his father continued before he could interrupt.

“I won’t think twice before killing you myself.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Sharp.

Even Veeresh looked slightly stunned hearing that from his own father.

Mr. Dreewan stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “She is like a daughter to me.”

That answer caught Veeresh off guard more than the threat itself.

“You don’t know anything about her,” his father continued quietly but firmly. “You spent most of your life in boarding schools and training outside India.”

Veeresh stayed silent.

“Poornima and Zoya grew up together. They were inseparable.” Pain briefly crossed Mr. Dreewan’s face at the memory of his late daughter. “Your mother and I practically watched that girl grow up.”

For the first time, Veeresh realized this wasn’t just sympathy from his parents.

They genuinely loved Poornima.

Even after everything that happened.

His father’s voice hardened again.

“If I find out you’re hurting her, manipulating her, or using her pain for your games…” He looked directly into Veeresh’s eyes. “Mark my words — I will not hesitate.”

The silence that followed felt suffocating.

“Even if you’re my son.”

Veeresh didn’t speak.

Couldn’t.

Because somewhere deep inside, he realized something uncomfortable—

He himself no longer understood what exactly Poornima had become to him.

Obsession?

Responsibility?

Weakness?

Or something far more dangerous.

Mr. Dreewan finally turned toward the door.

“I don’t care about business rivalry,” he said before leaving. “But that girl has suffered enough.”

Then he walked away, leaving Veeresh alone inside the silent room.

For the first time in years, Salvatore Dreewan sat there without answers.