Page 177 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘And you think you’re the only ones who care about her?’ Siya shot back sharply.

‘Fuck care!’ Swayam snapped. His hand closed around Kashvi’s wrist before he pulled her possessively into his arms. ‘I love her. So let me make this very clear right now. You can do whatever you want to Karthik, but I won’t let anything happen to my wife. Even if I have to stand against you to protect her, I will.’

Kashvi’s chest tightened at the fierce, unwavering way he chose her. She turned nervously towards Siya, only to find her smiling.

‘Good. I’d expect nothing less from you,’ Siya said with a nod.

Then she turned and headed towards Vihaan and Luv on the sofa, waving Dhruv over too. ‘Actually, the three of you can do me a favour.’

Dhruv squeezed Kashvi’s shoulder once before walking away.

Abhay moved to stand in front of her. ‘Are you really okay? Did she give you any medication?’

Kashvi nodded, her throat too tight to speak.

He gently patted her head, concern etched across his features. ‘Kashu, I know this might feel confusing right now, but trust your sister. Okay?’

Her answer came without hesitation. ‘I do, Jiju.’

He turned to Swayam. ‘You do the same.’

‘Hmm,’ was all he replied, his narrowed gaze fixed on the others.

With a sigh, Abhay joined them at the kitchen island, the only clear surface left in the room.

The second he walked away, Swayam pulled Kashvi into his arms, his strong forearms wrapping around her and shutting out the rest of the room. He bent close and whispered against her ear, ‘Don’t worry. I’m not leaving your side tonight.’

Kashvi caught his sleeve and pulled back just enough to look at him, silently urging him to change his mind.

His unwavering gaze held her in place, leaving her nowhere to hide. ‘Don’t even think about asking me not to come. I already told you your punishment, Kash. You’re stuck with me forever. I’m going to annoy you every single day for the rest of our lives, and we’re staying together through all of it. That’s final.’

Then he sealed the promise with a soft, comforting kiss to her forehead.

The steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek and the familiar woodsy scent of him anchored her against the raging storm inside her mind. She was no longer fighting alone.

A spark of strength flickered back to life within her, and she vowed to make things right. Kashvi would accept whatever justice her sister chose for her, as long as her father burned alongside her in it.

Chapter 34

‘Welcome, welcome,’ Karthik said, clapping his hands together. ‘I was beginning to worry that my daughters had forgotten their way back home.’

Kashvi stepped into the large study with her hand tucked into Swayam’s. Siya and Abhay entered behind them, and Dhruv came in last, shutting the ornate door quietly behind him.

Kashvi cradled her injured hand against her chest as pain throbbed through her fingers.

This was the room she had feared most in the entire house.

The study had not changed one bit over the years. Dark mahogany shelves lined the cream walls from floor to ceiling, filled with neatly arranged books and old files. Heavy beige curtains framed the tall windows, softening the evening light spilling into the room. The faint scent of paper and sandalwood lingered in the air, so painfully familiar.

At the centre of the room stood the same massive wooden desk where Karthik sat now.

The sight of him made her stomach tighten because it was this very desk where he had spent years tearing her apart over every mistake, telling her she would amount to nothing.

Oh God, please let this be the last time.

Karthik appeared perfectly at ease in his old white kurta-pyjama. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed back, and the gold watch on his wrist glinted in the warm lamplight as he folded his hands on the desk.

Swayam squeezed Kashvi’s hand gently, and she turned towards him. Tension radiated from his rigid posture, and his jaw was tight as he fixed his gaze on Viraj.