chapter 4

Chapter 4: Unraveling the Past

The days following the attack were quiet, though tension still hung in the air. Veer tightened his security, while Kavi immersed herself in learning every aspect of the Rathore operations. She surprised everyone—not just with her sharp mind but with her ability to command respect from Veer’s men.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the Mumbai skyline, Kavi found Rani in the family garden, tending to her prized roses.

“Beta,” Rani called out, motioning for her to join. “You’ve been so busy lately. Sit with me for a moment.”

Kavi smiled and sat beside her. Rani handed her a steaming cup of tea. “You’ve been doing more for this family than we ever expected. Thank you.”

Kavi shrugged. “It’s what needs to be done. Besides, it’s not like I had a choice in this marriage.”

Rani chuckled knowingly. “Ah, but life has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it? Sometimes, what we think we don’t want is exactly what we need.”

Kavi frowned. She couldn’t deny that her feelings for Veer had changed, but the weight of their history—and their families—still lingered.

A Revelatory Dinner

That night, over dinner, Veer noticed Kavi’s unusually quiet demeanor. “You’ve been thinking about something,” he said, setting down his fork.

Kavi hesitated, then decided to address what had been gnawing at her. “Why did you target my father’s business all those years ago?”

The room fell silent. Even Arjun paused mid-bite, glancing at Veer with a raised eyebrow.

Veer leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “It wasn’t personal, Kavi. At the time, your father’s expansion threatened one of my... partners. I had to protect my territory.”

“Not personal?” Kavi’s voice rose. “You nearly ruined us!”

Veer held her gaze, unflinching. “And yet, here you are—stronger than ever.”

Rani intervened gently. “Kavi, you have every right to be upset. But Veer has changed. Trust me, I’ve seen it.”

Kavi pushed her chair back and stood. “I’m not sure trust is something I can give so easily.” She left the room, leaving Veer staring after her.

Confronting Feelings

Later that night, Veer found Kavi sitting on the balcony, staring at the city lights. He approached cautiously, holding two glasses of wine.

“Truce?” he offered, handing her a glass.

Kavi accepted it but didn’t look at him. “You know, I hated you for years. I blamed you for everything.”

Veer sat beside her, his voice softer than she’d ever heard. “And now?”

Kavi sighed. “Now... I don’t know. I’ve seen a side of you I didn’t think existed. But that doesn’t erase the past.”

Veer leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You think I don’t regret some of the things I’ve done? I’m not proud of everything, Kavi. But I’ve learned that the only way forward is to face it—and to change.”

His honesty caught her off guard. For the first time, Kavi saw not the mafia king, but a man burdened by his choices.

“I want to believe you,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Veer reached for her hand, his touch tentative. “Then believe this: I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work—with you.”

Kavi looked at him, her resolve softening. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

Veer smiled. “And yet, you’re still here.”

They sat in silence, the city’s hum surrounding them, a quiet understanding settling between them.

A New Beginning

The next morning, Veer called a meeting with his most trusted men. “From now on, Kavi will be involved in all major decisions. She’s not just my wife—she’s my partner.”

There were murmurs of agreement, but Kavi could see the skepticism in some of their faces. She stood confidently, meeting their gazes. “I’m not here to prove myself to anyone. But if you give me a chance, you’ll see I’m not just another Rathore. I

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