Chapter 57 — The Breaking Point

The next evening came heavier than usual.

Poornima returned home late.

Her expression was different this time—tight, hurt, and distant. She didn’t greet anyone. She didn’t look at Veeresh properly. She simply walked straight into the room and started packing her bags.

Veeresh followed her immediately.

“Poornima… what are you doing?”

No response.

She continued folding her clothes, fast and silent, like she had already made up her mind.

“Poornima,” he said again, stepping closer. “Talk to me.”

Still nothing.

Veeresh reached out and gently held her wrist to stop her.

That’s when she turned.

And slapped him.

The sound echoed sharply in the room.

Veeresh froze for a second, more in shock than pain.

Poornima grabbed his collar immediately, her hands shaking with anger.

“Why did you do that?” she asked, voice breaking.

Veeresh’s brows furrowed. “What did I do?”

Her eyes were red now.

“You sent it.”

Veeresh’s expression changed slightly. “Sent what?”

She laughed bitterly, shaking her head.

“The video… to my parents.”

Silence dropped instantly between them.

Poornima stepped back slightly, still holding his collar but now trembling.

“This marriage…” her voice cracked. “You did it for revenge, didn’t you?”

Veeresh didn’t speak.

And that silence was enough.

Her grip tightened again.

“So you can find out who killed your sister.”

A pause.

Poornima’s eyes filled, but she refused to let the tears fall.

“I believed you,” she whispered. “I thought you were not like them.”

Her voice rose suddenly.

“But you’re worse.”

Veeresh’s jaw tightened.

“I don’t want to live with you,” she said firmly, stepping back and grabbing her bag again.

Before he could say anything, she turned and walked out of the room.

Downstairs, the atmosphere turned tense instantly.

Mr. Dreewan stepped forward.

“Veeresh… what happened?”

Veeresh stood still for a long moment, staring at the door she left through.

His expression was unreadable.

Then slowly, he spoke.

“I didn’t send anything.”

But she was already gone.

And for the first time…

Veeresh Dreewan realized that in her world, trust broke faster than truth could explain itself.