Chapter 35

All of this happened because I was the one who got her pregnant. I should have waited, but my desire for her led us to this life. If she weren't pregnant, no one would have noticed the change in her, he thought.

"Lakshmi," he moved forward to hold her hand.

"No, please. I beg you, leave me alone. I can't take it anymore," Lakshmi cried, lowering her head. Kittu, frightened by the scene, clung to Lakshmi, wrapping his arms around her neck and resting his head on her shoulder.

"Lakshmi, please try to understand me. I didn't lie to you about going to America. I swear to you and our son, I really went to China. I got stuck there due to some issues. Please, just take a moment and listen. It was my stepmother who manipulated our lives. You know how much I missed you. I moved out of my house and lived separately with Adharv. I barely left my room. I even tried to take my own life multiple times. Lakshmi, I'm begging you. I can't live without you and our son. Please," he pleaded, tears streaming down his face.

"Do you expect me to believe everything you say and just follow you? And this time, who will play the game? Your father? Your siblings? I'm not the same Lakshmi anymore, the one who would melt at your sweet words and do whatever you asked," she said sternly.

"Lakshmi, don't be stubborn. Look at our son. Do you want him to suffer here, in this life, when his father can give him the world? I know you hate me, and maybe I deserve that. but at least think about our son. Please. He is the heir to V&A Groups, my prince, and you are my queen. Let's live the life we deserve, happily," he said, locking his eyes with hers.

"So, you want it now? He's not your heir. He's my son, my blood. As you said earlier, I slept with someone to satisfy my physical needs and had him. He's not your blood. So go and marry someone who matches your status. Just leave me alone," she spat at him.

Vikram's blood boiled at her words. "Enough, Lakshmi. Not another word. I know whose son he is. And as for my marriage, you know I married you and will remain married to you until death do us part. So stop talking nonsense and pack your things. We're leaving now," he said firmly.

"I'm not going anywhere," she shouted, her voice trembling with anger and despair. "Just leave me alone. Let me be!"

Vikram stood frozen, his face unreadable. For a moment, he said nothing, the weight of her words pressing heavily on him. Then, after a long pause, he spoke, his voice calm but resolute.

"Fine. If you won't come with me, then I won't leave." Without another word, he sat down on the mat spread across the floor, his eyes fixed on her.

Lakshmi clenched her fists, her frustration boiling over. She knew how stubborn he could be, and the realization left her feeling trapped. "You won't leave, is it?" she said, her voice breaking.

"Then take your son—your heir. I'll go somewhere and end this miserable life. I know you won't let me live in peace as long as I'm alive. You're a curse. A curse I never asked for. I don't want this life anymore."

With trembling hands, she placed Kittu on his lap and turned to leave, her steps hurried and unsteady. Vikram's heart raced as her words sank in. He stood up abruptly, clutching the crying child in his arms, and rushed after her. "Lakshmi, stop! Please!" he called out, his voice desperate. "Okay, you don't have to come with me. I won't disturb you anymore, I promise. Just stop, please! Look at Kittu—he's crying because of all this. Please, Lakshmi!"

Lakshmi halted at his plea, her shoulders stiffening. Slowly, she turned to face him, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and defiance. She stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Just leave," she said, her tone firm but laced with exhaustion. She took Kittu from his arms, holding the boy tightly against her chest, and walked back into the house without another glance.

Vikram stood there, rooted to the spot, as tears streamed down his face. He watched her disappear into the house, his heart aching with a sense of loss he couldn't put into words. After a moment, he turned and walked back to his car, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. His mind raced with thoughts of his stepmother, the woman who had orchestrated so much of the pain in his life. A fire ignited within him, burning away his despair and replacing it with determination.

"I won't leave you," he muttered under his breath, his voice low and steady. "I'll make you regret everything you've done."

With that, he got into his car and drove away, his resolve stronger than ever. But as the distance between him and Lakshmi grew, the ache in his chest only deepened. He knew this wasn't the end. It couldn't be.

Lakshmi entered the house and made Kittu sit on the mat. Kittu wiped his tears and asked, "Amma, who is he? He said that I'm his son. Is it true, Amma?" His voice was filled with innocence. Lakshmi looked at his face, wondering how sharply he had observed everything. Her mind wrestled with whether to tell him the truth or not.

"Amma, tell me. Is he my father? Just like my friends, do I have a father too?" he asked, hope shining in his eyes. Seeing his innocent face, Lakshmi didn't want to break his heart. "Yes, he is your father," she said gently, wiping the tear-streaked face.

"Then why is he fighting with you, Amma? Doesn't he like me and you?" he asked. Lakshmi didn't know how to answer his question and tried to divert him. She said, "Kittu, enough now. Remember, you have school tomorrow. Come, let's sleep."

Kittu nodded his head and lay on the mat like a good child. Lakshmi got up, switched off the lights, and lay beside Kittu, gently tapping him to sleep.Vikram's words echoed in her head, each one a dagger to her heart. Was he telling the truth? Or was this just another one of his games? Her stomach churned at the thought. What does he want? Does he want to take Kittu away from me? A cold wave of fear washed over her, and she instinctively pulled Kittu closer, her arms tightening around him.

As she listened to his steady breathing, her tears finally spilled over. She pressed a kiss to his forehead, silently vowing to protect him, no matter the cost. "You are mine, Kittu," she whispered into the darkness. "No one will ever take you away from me."

Vikram entered his apartment and slumped onto the couch with a heavy thud, his mind wandering far from the present. The thought of Lakshmi running away from his stepmother to protect their unborn child shattered his heart. The image of her alone, carrying their son in her womb, enduring loneliness, the pain of labor without anyone by her side, the sleepless nights, and the relentless struggle to provide for their child—it all overwhelmed him. Just the mere thought of what she had endured made him weak, sending shivers down his spine.

It's all because of me, he thought bitterly. My love, my mistakes, my failures. I made her go through all of this. I'm the one who ruined her life. It's my curse to hurt the people I love the most.

He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking as tears streamed down his face. "I'm sorry, Lakshmi," he whispered hoarsely, his voice breaking. "I'm so sorry. I didn't trust you. After all these years, instead of cherishing you, I tortured you. Please forgive me. Please. I can't live without you and our son. Please..."

Just then, his phone buzzed. It was Adharv. Vikram wiped his tears and answered the call, his voice trembling as he poured out everything that had happened. Adharv was stunned, his heart aching for the pain his friend had caused and endured. He cursed himself, realizing his own role in the misunderstanding that had driven Lakshmi and Vikram apart.

"Viki," Adharv said, his tone firm but kind, "don't push her like last time. Give her some time. Show her that you truly love her and, above all, that you trust her. And try to build a bond with your son. I know it hurts to see them living in poverty, but be patient. Take things slowly. She's insecure, given everything she's been through. Handle things carefully."

Vikram sighed, a new sense of hope dawning on him as he listened to his friend's words.

"Send me your son's photo," Adharv added. "I want to see him."

Vikram smiled for the first time in what felt like forever. "You know what? He looks just like me. A mini version of me," he said, his voice dreamy and full of love.

Adharv smiled too. "So, Mr. Viki has a son now. But hey, don't forget your old friend in the middle of all this," he teased playfully.

Vikram chuckled and, after the conversation ended, he hung up. He pulled out the report the private investigator had sent him, and there, mentioned, were the names Meena and Rashi. He felt a wave of gratitude toward them for taking care of Lakshmi and their son all these years.

They were there for Lakshmi and my son when I wasn't. I need to thank them, he thought.

A sense of happiness washed over him as he thought about his son.

But suddenly, a deep wave of pain hit him.

He had missed so much—his son's first kick, his first steps, his first words. Every milestone, every precious moment, stolen from him. Why did God curse me like this? he wondered, his heart heavy with regret. I promised Lakshmi a life of love and security, but all I gave her was pain. I made her and our son suffer in this cruel world, all because of that bitch.

"I'll never leave you, my dear stepmother. But before that, I want my wife and son back. Until then, live happily," he thought, a mix of determination and regret swirling in his chest.

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The next day, Lakshmi went to work as usual after dropping Kittu off at school. She carried on with her duties, her mind preoccupied but her hands steady. Meanwhile, Vikram arrived at the office early, his restlessness driving him there before anyone else. As he walked through the corridors, his eyes fell on Lakshmi sweeping the staff cabin. The sight of her, bent over her work, sent a surge of emotions through him—anger, guilt, and an overwhelming sense of protectiveness.

His blood boiled. Before he could think, he strode toward her, his steps long and purposeful. He grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not harsh, and pulled her toward him. Lakshmi gasped, startled by the sudden movement. She looked up at him, her brow furrowed in confusion and alarm.

His face was flushed, his jaw tight with barely contained emotion.

Without a word, he dragged her toward his cabin, his movements swift and determined. Lakshmi stumbled slightly, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of what was happening. He pushed her inside the cabin and locked the door behind them, the click of the latch echoing in the silence.

Lakshmi stood frozen, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she stared at him. Fear flickered in her eyes, mingled with defiance. "What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice trembling but firm.

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