Chapter 44: A Goodbye Without Bitterness

Outside the courtroom, people slowly began leaving.

Rashmi walked away with Vivek.

A few moments later, a little boy entered the corridor holding Vivek's hand.

It was Adwait.

Veeresh stopped walking.

For years, he had imagined this moment.

He had dreamed of meeting the child he believed was his son.

Now...

The truth had changed everything.

Adwait looked curiously at Veeresh.

He gave him a small, innocent smile.

Veeresh smiled back.

He walked a little closer but kept a respectful distance.

He knelt so that he was at the child's eye level.

His voice was gentle.

Veeresh: "Hello, Adwait."

The little boy looked at him quietly.

Veeresh smiled.

Veeresh: "Be happy, beta."

"Always be kind."

"And always be honest."

He gently patted Adwait's head.

Veeresh: "Take care."

Adwait smiled again, not fully understanding the weight of the moment.

Veeresh stood up.

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Poornima silently followed him.

She knew he needed space.

London Penthouse

The drive back was silent.

Neither of them spoke.

As soon as they entered the penthouse, Veeresh walked straight to the bedroom.

He closed the door.

Then...

He locked it.

Poornima stood outside for a few moments.

She gently knocked.

Poornima: "Veer..."

There was no reply.

She rested her hand against the door.

Poornima: "I'm here."

"Whenever you're ready."

Still...

Silence.

Knowing he needed time, she stepped away.

She took out her phone and called Devraj.

The call connected almost immediately.

Devraj: "Hello, beta."

Poornima: "Papa..."

Her voice was quiet.

Devraj immediately sensed something was wrong.

Devraj: "What happened?"

"How did the hearing go?"

Poornima took a deep breath.

Poornima: "Papa..."

"Rashmi told the court the truth."

"She said..."

"...Adwait isn't Veer's biological son."

There was complete silence on the other end.

A few seconds later, Rukmini took the phone.

Rukmini: "What... did you say, beta?"

Poornima closed her eyes.

Poornima: "She admitted she never loved Veer."

"She said Adwait is her former boyfriend Vivek's son."

"She even submitted a DNA test."

Devraj and Rukmini were speechless.

They couldn't believe what they had heard.

After a long pause, Devraj spoke softly.

Devraj: "How is Veer?"

Poornima looked toward the closed bedroom door.

Tears filled her eyes.

Poornima: "He hasn't said a word since we left the court."

"He came home..."

"...locked himself in the room."

"I've tried talking to him."

"But he isn't answering."

On the other end, Rukmini wiped away her tears.

Rukmini: "Our son..."

Devraj closed his eyes.

His voice was heavy.

Devraj: "Stay with him, beta."

"Don't force him to talk."

"But don't leave him alone either."

"He has carried this pain for years."

"And today..."

"The truth has broken him in a completely different way."

Poornima nodded, even though they couldn't see her.

Poornima: "I won't leave him alone, Papa."

After ending the call, she walked back to the bedroom door.

She sat down on the floor outside it.

Leaning against the door, she whispered softly,

Poornima: "Veer..."

"I'm right here."

"You don't have to go through this alone."

Inside the room, Veeresh sat in silence, staring out the window.

For the first time in years, the burden he had carried was gone.

But the truth had left behind a different kind of emptiness.