Samarth shifts slightly, scratching the back of his neck, clearly uneasy with the attention. “I just… thought it was time. You were hurting. They were hurting. Someone had to speak.”
Dad’s expression hardens, a protective resolve settling in his eyes as he holds my gaze. “Beta… I can’t let you stay in this marriage. I’ll talk to the lawyers and get you out.”
I shake my head. “Papa… this is my battle. Please trust me enough to fight it my way.”
He studies me, unsure of what to say or do. “You… you’re sure about this?”
I nod firmly. “Every part of me is sure.”
Dad swallows, a storm of fear and conflict crossing his face. That’s when Mom adds gently, “I know my daughter is strong. And I have no doubt she’ll get through this.”
“If this is what you want, beta, we trust your decision. We’ll always be here for you, whenever you need us. We’re not going anywhere this time,” Dad says, his voice filled with emotion.
A shaky laugh escapes me, full of relief. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”
Mom pulls me close and holds me tightly. “Your place is always with us.”
“Even when you make decisions we don’t fully understand,” Dad adds.
I hug them both again, my tears soaking their clothes.
Another knock startles us, and we see Sonia standing in the doorway with her mother. The moment she takes in the scene, the three of us tangled together, her eyes widen with joy.
“Oh my God, Meera!” she gasps, rushing in, holding her lehenga. “They’re here?”
I nod, laughing through my tears.
Sonia squeezes my arm. “I told you they’d come around! I told you!”
Her mother smiles warmly at my parents. “So glad you’re all here. We were just about to begin.”
Dad nods. “We are ready.”
Samarth steps back, giving a small nod of his own. He gestures towards the door, making space for everyone to move. Sonia, her mother, and my parents begin walking towards the doorway. Samarth is about to take a step when I catch his wrist. He pauses, looking at me.
“Samarth… truly… thank you. For bringing them back to me.”
He smiles softly. “It’s my job to make sure you’re always surrounded by people you love and who love you.”
My chest tightens, a warmth flooding through me. For the first time in a long while, I feel whole. As though nothing in the world is missing, now that my parents have finally forgiven me and opened their hearts to me again.
Chapter 18
Dev
The moment Khurana pushes open the door to my office without knocking, I know something is wrong.
I close the laptop where I’d been reviewing reports for the new batch and lean back in my chair. “Speak.”
“Mr. Rathore, there’s a situation,” he says hesitantly, standing in front of my desk.
My jaw tightens a fraction. “Clearly. Now say it.”
Khurana hesitates for half a second, barely a breath, but enough to confirm the news won’t be good. “We caught one of our truck drivers, Gopal. He took money to reroute the truck. Said he was instructed to hand over the consignment at a specific address.”
A slow burn coils low in my stomach. My men know better than to screw with me.
“We caught him before he reached the reroute point. The goods are safe,” Khurana adds immediately, sensing the storm in my gaze.
