Chapter 29: A Line Is Crossed

The corridor fell silent after Veeresh's warning.

Riya folded her arms.

Riya: "What are you doing, Veeresh?"

"Are you threatening me?"

Veeresh looked at her calmly.

Veeresh: "Think whatever you want."

"I'm only making one thing clear."

"My wife will be respected."

Aaravi let out a sarcastic laugh.

Aaravi: "Respect?"

"You're taking such a stand for a second woman?"

The words had barely left her mouth.

Slap!

The sound echoed through the corridor.

Veeresh's hand dropped back to his side.

His face remained composed, but his eyes were filled with anger.

Aaravi stood frozen, holding her cheek in shock.

At that very moment, Poornima rushed forward.

Poornima: "Veer!"

She instinctively reached for his arm.

Without taking his eyes off Riya and Aaravi, Veeresh spoke firmly.

Veeresh: "Poons..."

"Stay back."

"I'll deal with this."

The commotion brought everyone upstairs.

Raghav.

Shirisha.

Savithri.

Revanth.

Rohit.

They all stopped in the corridor, looking at the tense scene.

Raghav: "What happened?"

No one answered immediately.

Veeresh took a deep breath.

Then he looked directly at Aaravi.

Veeresh: "Repeat what you just said."

Aaravi remained silent.

Veeresh: "You called my wife a 'second woman.'"

His voice was controlled, but every word carried weight.

Veeresh: "Listen carefully."

"Poornima was the lawful wife of Major Pavan."

"She didn't break anyone's marriage."

"She didn't steal anyone's husband."

"She became a widow after sacrificing everything alongside a man who laid down his life for this country."

The entire corridor fell silent.

Veeresh continued,

Veeresh: "Today..."

"She is my lawful wife."

"My marriage to her was performed in the presence of both our families and before the sacred fire."

"So before you use words like 'second woman' again..."

"Remember who you're talking about."

He pointed toward Poornima.

Veeresh: "She is Mrs. Poornima Veeresh Singh."

"My wife."

"And no one has the right to insult her character."

Poornima stood speechless.

Tears filled her eyes.

Raghav looked at his son-in-law with pride.

Revanth stepped forward.

Revanth: "Veeresh is right."

Rohit nodded.

Rohit: "Bhabhi, those words should never have been spoken."

Shirisha walked to Poornima and held her hand.

Savithri glared at Riya and Aaravi.

Savithri: "Being widowed is a tragedy."

"It is never a reason to insult a woman's dignity."

Raghav's expression hardened.

He looked at his daughters-in-law.

Raghav: "Apologize."

Neither Riya nor Aaravi spoke.

Raghav: "Now."

The authority in his voice left no room for argument.