“She is my wife!” I shout, every word laced with fury.
Dad scoffs, his tone dismissive. “She made you weak.”
“She made me human,” I snap back, pinning him with a glare. “And you had no right to decide her life meant nothing. You had no right to try to take her away from me just because of your damn insecurities!”
“Bro… we did it for you…” Veer stutters, trying to justify their actions, but I don’t let him.
“Shut the hell up!” I roar, my eyes burning into him. “Not a single word. After what you’ve done, you have no right to speak.” I turn my glare back to Dad. “And you don’t get to tell me anything anymore.”
I take a slow, steadying breath, my arms still wrapped around Meera. My eyes blaze as I stare at both of them. Their betrayal shatters me in the worst possible way, something even my enemies wouldn’t do. “And I won’t let either of you get away with it. I am done playing the brother and son. It’s time a husband takes a stand for who wronged his wife.”
Veer blinks, fear flashing across his face, and for the first time, I see the flicker of it in Dad’s eyes too.
“Dev… we’re family,” Dad says, tone edged with desperation. “Don’t let one woman come between us.”
“We are not family. Not anymore,” I hiss with disgust. “If being family means being selfish, cruel, and blind to the pain you cause to your loved ones… then I want nothing to do with it, Dad. I don’t want either of you.”
I pull Meera closer and lock eyes with them. “Just leave before I do something I can’t take back.”
They exchange a quick, uneasy glance. Dad hesitates for a moment, as if to speak something, then he turns towards Veer. They leave without another glance, the door shutting behind them.
I take a deep breath, keeping my arms firmly around Meera, feeling some of the tension drain as I finally allow myself to look at her properly. I cup her face gently, my thumb brushing away a tear.
“I am so damn sorry, sweetheart,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “I should have believed you when you warned me against Veer. I should have protected you better.” I press my forehead against hers, breathing her in, memorising the feel of her.
“I thought… I thought I was alone,” she whispers, her voice still fragile.
“You are never alone. Never,” I swear, my words firm, unshakable as I continue. “This is the last time anyone ever comes close to hurting you. The last time I fail you.”
As she leans into me, it becomes painfully clear—my life without her is unimaginable, and I will go to any lengths to make sure I never have to face that reality.
Epilogue
Dev
A few years later
“I have nothing to wear,” Meera groans.
I lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, taking in the piles of clothes scattered everywhere and her sitting on the edge of the bed. “I beg to differ, sweetheart.”
She glares up at me. “Dev, nothing fits. I look—”
“You look perfect,” I cut in, stepping into our room and crouching in front of her, one hand sliding to her knee, the other resting against the curve of her eight-month-swollen belly. “I’ve never seen anything more perfect in my entire life than my pregnant wife.”
Her breath catches, irritation melting at the edges. “You love me. You have to say that.”
“I do love you,” I say, tracing my thumb over her belly. “But I also mean it. You are beautiful. Especially like this.”
I’m about to kiss her when she huffs dramatically. “Like a whale?”
“Like a goddess,” I correct, my eyes narrowing. “My goddess. The only miracle I ever believed in.”
Her expression softens, just slightly, but she still rolls her eyes, because that’s typical Meera, refusing to ever agree with me.
“You’ve been dramatic ever since you heard I’m pregnant,” she mutters defensively.
“Pregnant with my child,” I remind her possessively. Because it’s the only way I know how to love her. “Trust me, I’ll never get tired of seeing you like this.”
