Vihaan's POV:
We stayed like that for a few moments, just holding each other. The silence wasn't awkward — it was warm, comforting, a quiet acknowledgment that we were both finally here, together.
"I missed you," I said after a while, my voice muffled against her hair.
She lifted her head slightly, peeking at me with sleepy eyes. "I missed you too… more than I realized," she whispered, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
I let out a small laugh, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "You know, you've been spoiled enough already. I might have to start charging rent for all this affection."
Her eyes sparkled despite the tiredness. "Hmm… then I'll pay with more smiles. Deal?"
"Deal," I said, smiling back, feeling my chest loosen a little.
We sat down on the edge of her bed, still holding hands. I asked her about the little things — her day, the meals Jia made, the silly things she saw — just to hear her voice, to see her animated even in small moments. She laughed softly at some of my jokes, rolled her eyes at my teasing, and for a while, the weight of everything outside her room didn't exist.
"Vihaan…" she said suddenly, her voice quieter now. "Promise me… you won't worry too much. Please."
"I can't promise that," I admitted honestly, tightening my grip on her hand. "But I can promise you I'll be right here. Always. You won't face anything alone."
She leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder. "I don't think I ever want to be anywhere else," she murmured.
I pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. "Then don't," I whispered. "Stay right here… with me."
Minutes turned into hours, though it felt like seconds. We talked quietly, shared laughter and confessions, and occasionally just sat in silence, the kind that speaks more than words ever could.
Eventually, her eyes grew heavy. I helped her settle under the blanket, tucking her in carefully. "Sleep well," I said softly, brushing a finger over her cheek.
She nodded. I sat there a few minutes longer to watch her sleeping peacefully before I left.
Amara's POV:
The morning began cheerfully enough. I freshened up quickly, humming under my breath, and rolled toward the table. My phone buzzed.
Good morning.Will make it to you in the evening. Have a good day.
Just like that, my lips curved into a smile — the kind that slips out before you even realize it.
"Ama!" Mom called from downstairs.
"Yes, Mum!" I called back, assuming it was another breakfast reminder.
But no more calls came. The silence that followed felt… strange.
I wheeled my wheel chair toward the door — and froze.
He stood there, framed by the soft morning light, holding a tray in his hands, that same practiced smile stretching across his face.
"Good morning, Ama," he said softly. "My daughter."
No. Not anymore.
For a heartbeat, everything inside me went still — my pulse, my thoughts, even the air felt too heavy to breathe. I wanted to unsee this moment, to erase the truth that had burned itself into me weeks ago.
"Why did you do this?" The words came out small, brittle.
He tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Do what? Bring you breakfast? It's not a crime to spend some time with my daughter."
"Don't," I whispered. "Don't try to play innocent."
His smile didn't waver — if anything, it grew sharper. "Oh, my little Ama," he said, his voice dripping with false warmth. "I'm not playing. I'm just trying to be a good father… to an orphan."
The word struck like a blade. Orphan. The truth I'd been trying to live with, now thrown at me like poison.
My hands trembled. "Why did you kill—"
"Killing?" he interrupted smoothly, almost amused. "Me? Kill who? Ah… your mother." He sighed as if recalling a mild inconvenience. "You see, I never meant to kill her. I only wanted the company. She was… stubborn. Got in my way. That's all."
He placed the tray on the table beside me, as if he hadn't just shattered what was left of my world.
"Enjoy your breakfast, hmm?" he said, straightening his cuffs before walking away.
The door clicked shut behind him, but the echo stayed — inside me, heavy, suffocating. My body refused to move. I stared at the untouched tray until my vision blurred and my breath hitched.
For the first time in days, I felt truly cold.
A buzz broke through my zoning out, and when I blinked back to focus, I saw my phone screen lit up — maybe a call.
I steered my wheelchair closer to pick it up and glanced at the clock. It was already 11 a.m. I'd been lost in thought for over three hours. I still didn't know what to do — whether to hand over the proof against him to Vihaan, to finally take revenge for what he did to me and my family… or to think about Jia and Mom.
Because no matter how wrong he turned out to be, Mom always treated me with nothing but love. And Jia… she doesn't deserve this — not after all the times she's compromised because of me.
No. I can't. I can't ruin their lives. Never.
Another buzz jolted me back, and I realized I hadn't answered the call. I hurried to grab the phone. It was… Vihaan.
"Hello," I said, forcing as much cheer into my voice as I could — I couldn't let him sense anything.
"A little more enthusiastic than I expected, but that's good too," Vihaan said, his calm, soothing tone softening the weight in my chest. For a fleeting second, my thoughts quieted.
"By the way," he continued, "I just called to let you know I'll be a little — just a little — late. Instead of evening, it might be night. So, apologies for the delay—"
"It's all right, my busy Mr. Solicitor," I cut him off with a faint smile. "Just don't forget to have your lunch on time and stay hydrated."
I was mid-sentence when he finished it for me —
"Don't burn yourself out, take a five-minute break. Don't drink cold drinks; drink water. FINE, I heard it, Ama," he said in a teasing voice.
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. For a moment, the tension in my chest eased — like sunlight slipping through the cracks of a long, heavy day.
I started editing the part where Albert appeared in the cam recording. I'd already decided — I wouldn't ruin another family because of my revenge.
But my hands were slow; every keystroke felt heavier than the last. It was taking me forever to do even one simple thing.
Then I heard footsteps outside the front door. From the steady rhythm on the pavement, I knew it was Vihaan.
Oh God. I need to hide it.Type fast, fast, fast—
No, the steps were getting louder.
"Hii," I blurted out just as he entered.
"Hello," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Not the expression I expected." He walked over and sat beside me on the other side of the bed.
"You seem… unexpectedly excited today," he teased, tilting his head as if trying to read my face. Then, before I could answer, he leaned in and kissed me.
"But I like it anyway," he murmured with a grin.
Oh no, the screen is still on. I should say something before he notices.
"Umm, you made it earlier than I expected," I said quickly.God, why do my expressions have to be this tense? Why am I even questioning myself?
"Then I must go for now and come later," he said, stepping a little closer — his tone light, but his eyes curious.
What should I do first? Close the laptop or turn it off? What if he sees the screen?
"What were you doing on the laptop?" he asked, leaning slightly, trying to get a glimpse.
"Umm, nothing, just… reviewing my last job applications," I said, forcing a small smile while shifting the laptop slightly away from him. I tried to sound normal — casual — but my voice felt one pitch higher than usual.
"Get better, Ama," he said softly, resting a hand on the bed beside me. "There'll be plenty of opportunities ahead. But right now, you need to focus on your health first."
His words were gentle — almost disarming — but they only made the guilt twist tighter in my chest.