Page 202 of No Boss
“Hukum…”
“And it came from distrust.” No anger in his voice. Only honesty. “I understood that too. You heard enough to doubt me.”
Pain flashed across her face. “No…”
“Yes.” His thumb moved once. “Listen to me.”
She fell silent.
“My words that day, about you not trusting me, were not wrong, Meera.” His jaw worked once. “I had not earned your trust on this.”
Her eyes widened.
“And I am sorry for my part in it.”
The apology landed deep.
“I came into your home. Walked beside you in these corridors. Asked you to marry me. Took you into the sky. Claimed you.” He exhaled. “Yet I never told you that Anand Mahal was safe.”
Her throat burned.
“I thought loving you would be enough. That asking you to become my wife would answer every fear.”
A hint of self-mockery touched his mouth.
“I was an idiot.”
Her fingers tightened.
“Love is not telepathy, Meera.” His eyes stayed on hers. “You needed words. You needed me to tell you no one would take your home.”
His palm settled fully against her cheek. “I should have told you.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“And because I stayed silent, you built the rest from fragments. You ran with the only truth you had.”
She shook her head, tears spilling. “Hukum…”
“I am not finished.”
The softness in his tone sharpened just enough.
His other hand rose. Now both palms framed her face completely.
“I am telling you now.” Each word came firm, intense. “And you will hear me properly.”
Her breathing turned uneven.
“I am not selling Anand Mahal.”
The words entered her whole body at once.
“I was never going to sell it. Not after the wedding. Not in ten years. Not ever.”
Her lips parted.
“This is your home.” His forehead rested against hers. “Mine too now. Where our family will live. Where our children will grow up. Where you will terrorise the staff while I enjoy it.”
