"I need to close up here first."
"I'll help."
They worked together in silence, Advika turning off equipment and locking up while Sidharth watched, his eyes never leaving her. Like he was afraid if he looked away, she'd disappear.
"I'm not going to vanish," she said gently.
"I know. I just... I'm still processing that you're coming home. That you're giving me another chance."
"Don't make me regret it."
"I won't." He caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. "I swear, Advika. I won't."
They drove back to the estate in his car—he'd had someone pick it up earlier, apparently, during his vigil. The ride was quiet, but his hand never left hers.
When they pulled through the gates, Advika felt a flutter of nerves. This was home now. Really home. Not just the place she was trapped, but the place she chose to be.
With the man she loved.
Who finally loved her back.
Chapter Fourteen
The house was quiet when they entered. Late enough that most of the staff had retired. Sidharth led her upstairs, his hand warm and solid in hers.
But when they reached the bedroom, Advika stopped short.
It had changed.
Her things—the items she'd hastily packed—were back in the closet, but arranged more prominently now. Not shoved to the side, but taking up equal space with his. The dresser that had been bare on her side now held a framed photo of her mother, one Advika had kept hidden in a drawer. Other photos were scattered around the room—Advika at her bakery, laughing. Advika and Rishabh in the garden. Even one of her and Sidharth from their wedding, but instead of the formal portrait, it was a candid shot of them during the reception, her mid-laugh at something he'd said.
"When did you—"
"This morning. After I realized what an idiot I'd been." He moved to stand behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist. "I wanted you to know this is your space too. Not just mine that you're borrowing. Ours."
Advika's throat tightened. "You put up a photo of my mother."
"She was important to you. That makes her important to me." His lips brushed her temple. "There's more. Come."
He led her down the hall to a room she'd barely noticed before—one of the many guest rooms. But when he opened the door, it wasn't a guest room anymore.
It was a sitting room, decorated in soft creams and warm woods. A comfortable couch faced a wall of bookshelves already filled with her favorite titles. A desk sat by the window, perfectly positioned to catch the morning light. And in the corner, a small table with a French press and various teas.
"Your space," Sidharth said quietly. "For when you need time alone, or somewhere to read, or just somewhere that's entirely yours. I know the bedroom is shared, and sometimes you need space that's just for you."
Advika turned to him, tears streaming down her face. "You did all this today?"
"I had help. Rishabh, mostly. And Lakshmi." He wiped her tears with his thumbs. "I wanted you to come home to a place that felt like it was truly yours. Not just somewhere you were allowed to exist."
"I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything." He pulled her close, holding her like she was precious. "Just stay. Be here. Be mine. That's all I need."
They stood like that for a long moment, just holding each other. Then Advika pulled back.
"We should shower. Get out of these wet clothes. You've been in the rain for hours."
"Together?" His eyes darkened with heat.
