Page 136 of Since You Stole My Heart

His eyes shone with pure disbelief. ‘You’re kidding!’

She chuckled. ‘I was crazy excited. I kept thinking about all the games we could play, that I had someone to annoy and boss around, because Di did that to me all the time. But whenever I tried to spend time with you, Dad made it impossible.’

His brows scrunched together. ‘What do you mean?’

‘He kept you away from us. One time, I went to his room looking for you, and he asked me why. I told him I wanted to play hide-and-seek with my brother, and he said it was good that my mother wasn’t alive to hear me say that. Over time, he made me believe that thinking of you as family was an insult to her memory, so I stayed away.’

Dhruv exhaled sharply, muttering a curse. ‘When I asked him if I could spend time with you and Siya, he told me I didn’tbelong with all of you and should stay within my limits. I heard it so often that eventually I started believing it too, but it was all him.’

Kashvi nodded, her chest nearly caving in under the crushing weight of disappointment. ‘There is not a single relationship in that house that he didn’t twist for his own gain.’

Dhruv insisted, ‘Whatever he wanted or tried to do, it doesn’t change the fact that I’ll always be there for you.’

Because you’re my sister.

The memory of his words from last night echoed through her mind, making her heart clench.

He added quietly, ‘And now that he’s not here anymore, maybe we can try to fix this. Maybe someday, I can hope to be part of your family too.’

‘But you are,’ Kashvi said, fighting back tears as she gently cupped his cheek. ‘You already are my family,bhaiya.’

His eyes widened, and Dhruv gasped aloud.

Tears gathered faster than she could blink them away. ‘I should have said it a long time ago, but my pride and anger held me back. I’m sorry I made you feel like you don’t belong with us, because you always have. That is, if you still want to.’

With a joyful laugh, Dhruv pulled her into a fierce hug. ‘Of course I do!’

‘You’re going to hurt yourself,’ she reminded him, lightly holding his shoulder.

‘I’m the older brother, so I’m allowed to boss you around. It’s practically in my job description,’ he said, pulling back.

‘Don’t get used to it,’ she warned, though her words carried no bite.

Then she walked over to Vihaan and said, ‘I owe you an apology too. I let my fear get the better of me and assumed the worst. I’ve been unfair to you, and I’m sorry.’

He smiled. ‘You were dealing with a lot. I get it.’

Kashvi shook her head. ‘I don’t just mean last night. You’ve gone out of your way to help me and Di, and you stood by Dhruv when neither of us did. You’ve done so much for all of us, and I genuinely think you deserve some kind of award for putting up with Dhruv for twenty years.’

‘He is unbearable on his best day. Don’t ask me about dealing with him at his worst.’

‘Yet you stayed, which kind of makes you worse than him, you know,’ she teased, making him chuckle. She lightly patted his cheek. ‘But I get why. You’re our brother, after all, and we don’t quit on family.’

Vihaan tried to hide his shock, but his eyes gave him away.

‘Why are you looking so shocked? You’ve been here this whole time. You already became part of the family long ago, didn’t you?’

His composure slipped just enough for the emotion underneath to show. His eyes glistened faintly as Vihaan nodded.

‘Good,’ Kashvi smiled. ‘I’d have a much better shot at surviving Dhruv with you by my side. Are you injured too?’

Vihaan shook his head. ‘Dhruv wanted to play a solo hero.’

‘So that means I can hug you without hurting you, right?’

Vihaan let out a quiet laugh as he pulled her into a quick hug. When she stepped back, he ruffled her hair, earning an immediate glare.

‘I still cannot believe you guys did this. How did you even manage it?’ she asked.