Final Chapter – The R
The morning after Vikrant's downfall, Rohini stood on the penthouse balcony overlooking the waking city. For the first time in months, her chest wasn't tight. She wasn't fighting for breath or control. She simply was.
Shivansh slid the balcony door open and stepped beside her. His hand brushed hers—accidentally or intentionally, she couldn't tell—but she didn't pull away.
"Board wants to see you," he said softly.
"Let them wait," she replied.
He hid a smile. "You just toppled your brother, rebuilt your name, and saved the company. I think you've earned the right."
She exhaled slowly. "You know what frightens me?"
He looked at her sideways. "What?"
"This…" Her voice lowered. "You and me. It wasn't supposed to be real."
He reached for her hand fully this time, intertwining their fingers. "Maybe the best things aren't supposed to be."
Her breath caught. The truth sat on her tongue, unspoken but beating in her heart.
She found solace in him—more than solace, she found partnership.
A rare, fierce, consuming kind.
Facing the Board
When they entered the boardroom, every director stood out of respect. This time, it wasn't fear. It was admiration.
The chairman cleared his throat. "Ms. Kothari… we would be honored if you continue leading as Managing Director. And Mr. Mehra—your contributions these past weeks have been extraordinary. We would like to offer you the position of Chief Financial Strategist."
Rohini looked at Shivansh. He nodded once, respectful but unshaken.
"We accept," she said.
The applause echoed, but Rohini felt only the pressure of Shivansh's gaze—steady, grounding, warm.
They had walked into this alliance as strangers with shared enemies.
Now they were partners with shared power.
Kanika's Last Goodbye
Later that evening, Shivansh received a message.
Kanika: I'm leaving the city. For good.
I just… needed to say I'm sorry.
You chose right. Take care of her. And yourself.
He didn't reply.
Some stories needed their quiet endings.
When he showed Rohini the message, she didn't gloat. She didn't smirk.
She simply nodded and whispered, "Let her find her peace."
It surprised him. It warmed him.
That night, the city lights reflected through the floor-to-ceiling windows as they stood in their bedroom—no pretense, no walls, no rules left between them.
"Our deal was for two years," Rohini said softly.
He stepped closer. "Do you want out?"
She swallowed. "No. I want… something else."
"What?"
"You," she whispered. "Not for a contract. Not for a war. For my life."
Shivansh cupped her face gently, reverently—so different from the fierce hunger of their earlier battles.
"You already have me," he murmured. "You've had me since the moment you fought the whole world with your head high and asked me to stand beside you."
Her heart trembled. "Then let's rewrite our vows."
He kissed her—slowly, deeply—like sealing a promise.
"Rohini," he whispered against her lips, "I choose you. Not because I have to. Because I want to."
She kissed him back, matching his fire. "And I choose you. My king in a world full of pawns."
His arms wrapped around her, lifting her slightly as he held her close—full of emotion, strength, and everything they had become.
Two broken people who rebuilt each other.
Two warriors who stood back-to-back against the world.
Two lovers who rose from ashes into power.