Chapter 32 — The Line He Crossed

College had finally started.

Poornima slowly settled into her new routine. Every morning, she would get ready for college, attend her classes, and return home in the afternoon.

And the moment she came home, one of the first things she looked for was Bubba.

Noor had become a huge part of her life.

Poornima would sit with her, play with her, feed her, and spend hours making her laugh.

Their bond had grown stronger with every passing day.

One evening, after Poornima returned from college, she was sitting in the room with Noor.

She was laughing as Noor played with her fingers.

Just then, Veeresh entered the room.

His expression was unusually angry.

Poornima looked up.

Poornima: "What happened?"

Veeresh walked toward her.

Before she could understand what was happening, he slapped her.

Poornima froze.

For a few seconds, she couldn't believe it.

She slowly touched her cheek.

Her eyes filled with shock and anger.

Then she slapped him back.

Veeresh stared at her.

Veeresh: "How dare you, Poornima?"

Poornima's voice shook with anger.

Poornima: "How dare you raise your hand on me?"

Veeresh was furious.

Veeresh: "You took the breastfeeding process for Bubba. You're just twenty years old. How could you do that without telling me?"

Poornima stared at him.

Veeresh: "Do you even understand the side effects? You should have thought about yourself before doing something like that."

Poornima's anger immediately rose.

Poornima: "Shut up!"

Veeresh fell silent.

Poornima: "I did it for Bubba."

She looked toward Noor.

Poornima: "She was having health problems, and I wanted to help her."

Her voice became firmer.

Poornima: "And now she's fine."

Veeresh looked at her, still angry.

Poornima: "If she is your daughter, she is mine too."

She wiped her tears angrily.

Poornima: "I did it willingly. Nobody forced me."

Veeresh's expression changed slightly.

Poornima continued.

Poornima: "And nobody gets to question me about helping her."

She looked directly into his eyes.

Poornima: "But you?"

Her voice broke.

Poornima: "You slapped me."

She touched her cheek again.

Poornima: "My father never raised his hand on me."

Veeresh became completely silent.

Poornima: "And you did."

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Poornima: "Add this to your list."

She pointed toward the door.

Poornima: "I will not forgive you for this."

Veeresh looked at her, guilt beginning to replace his anger.

Poornima's voice became cold.

Poornima: "Don't talk to me."

She turned away from him.

Poornima: "Get out of the room."

Veeresh stood there for several seconds.

He wanted to say something.

But there was nothing he could say that would undo what he had done.

He silently walked out of the room.

He went straight to his study and closed the door behind him.

For the first time, the words his father had told him came back with painful clarity.

Love is not politics.

Love is not a game.

And Veeresh realized he had crossed a line that no amount of love, obsession, or explanation could justify.