Mia, his fierce and calculating sister, had just revealed a truth that none could have foreseen: Hema was alive. For a heartbeat, grief had shrouded them both in desolation. Then, in a sudden and startling change, Zayden, with an intensity that seemed almost otherworldly, rose from his bed.He stood up so abruptly that all the intravenous lines and ECG leads were yanked from his arms and chest. His sheet, hastily cast aside, pooled around his legs like tattered remnants of what used to be comfort. Clad in nothing but his hospital gown and a heavy shirt hastily pulled on over his emaciated frame, he now towered over the bed as if reclaiming a throne. His eyes burned with a mix of anger and bewilderment, and the transformation was so dramatic that those present couldn’t decide whether to applaud or recoil in horror.Mia, who had been sitting rigidly beside the bedside, still trembling from her earlier despair, could barely believe her eyes. Just minutes ago, she had been weeping inconso
The room was silent except for the soft ticking of the antique clock hung on the hospital wall. Zayden sat on the edge of the bed, IVs removed, shirt half-buttoned, veins slightly bulging on his forearms. His jaw clenched as his eyes burned with new purpose. He could still feel the phantom ache of the despair he’d faked—he’d lived in it for so long, it had almost felt real.Mia stood beside him, straight-backed, her tablet in hand and her face composed, though her eyes shimmered with unspoken guilt and relief.“Are you sure about this?” she asked quietly, glancing at him.Zayden’s lips curled into the first genuine smirk she’d seen in months. “I’m more sure about this than I’ve been about anything since Hema left.”Mia gave a short nod and looked at her assistant who was waiting just outside the door. She gestured him in. A lean man with glasses and an intimidating presence stepped forward holding a folder.“Sir, this is the phone model you gifted her before your wedding day. Ma’am—”
The morning sun slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the ZN Mansion, casting golden light over the marbled floors. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of jasmine from the inner courtyard. But inside Zayden’s room, everything was tense — still. Silent.Zayden stood shirtless near the window, arms folded across his broad chest, his muscles tight with anticipation. His usually cold, mafia-like eyes now flickered with a strange mix of emotion — desperation, hope, and something dangerously close to joy.He practically lived a life without Hema, he is more feared losing her next time.Mia walked in without knocking — she always did.She was in a sharply tailored beige pantsuit, hair tied back in her usual business-like bun, but there was a softness in her stride today. She carried a small file and a smirk.“It’s done,” she said, her voice casual but loaded.Zayden turned, slow, deliberate, like a panther who had just heard prey rustle nearby. His eyes locked onto hers. “Done?
The southern skies were overcast with the weight of monsoon clouds, the scent of wet earth blending with the aroma of spicy sambar from the little restaurant nestled near the coastal highway. Inside, Hema stood behind the cash counter, her sari neatly pleated, a hand resting gently on her rounded belly. Her pregnancy was showing now, more than ever, and yet she carried herself with quiet strength, even grace.She was talking to her unborn baby, her voice soft but full of life.“What do you want today, hmm? Dosa? Or that sweet aunty’s curd rice?” she chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You kicked like crazy last night. You must be training for football or something.”Outside, leaning against a lamppost across the street, hidden partially by shadows, Zayden watched her.His heart thundered in his chest.She was glowing—not just from the pregnancy, but from peace. Something he hadn’t seen in her for months. She was real. Alive. And she was carrying his child.He hadn’t ne
Zayden stood silently at the window of the dimly lit rented house across the street, his eyes locked on the small home where Hema now lived. The sheer curtain fluttered slightly in the breeze behind him, but his attention never wavered.From this vantage point, he saw her—his Hema.She stepped out onto the small porch, a soft dupatta draped loosely over her shoulder, her slightly swollen belly gently pressing against the fabric of her simple kurti. She smiled as she waved to a few neighborhood kids. Her laughter reached him faintly through the tiny microphones he had planted outside her window and near the veranda late at night.Zayden, the cold-hearted mafia lord, found himself gritting his teeth.“How could she be working this hard?” he murmured, his voice low, gravelly with guilt. “With my child growing inside her… while I sit here watching?”He ran a hand through his messy hair and turned away from the window, pacing.The image of her sweating in that tiny restaurant—her hands con
She smiled faintly, pressing a hand to her stomach. “You are making me crave mango pickle?” The gentle kick she felt seemed like an answer, and she giggled. “Pickle it is.” Inside the house across the street, Zayden sat, elbows on the table, watching her on the screen. His surveillance feeds blinked quietly—motion sensors picking up only her slow movements. Her laugh echoed faintly through the hidden mic near the tulsi plant. He had watched her laugh, cry, yawn, and hum lullabies into the night. But he hadn’t moved beyond the shadows. Today, however, fate decided to test his resolve. ⸻ It was just after breakfast. The morning rush had calmed. The house was mostly quiet, except for Hema, who was wiping the kitchen counter, humming to herself. She’d just turned toward the stove when her foot caught the edge of a water-drenched mat. Her balance tilted sharply, and in an instant, her body lurched forward. “Ahh!” she yelped, her hands instinctively trying to guard her stomach. Zay
She glanced toward the small shelf on the wall where she usually kept her pickle jars. Empty. Her lips curved into a tired pout.“Why didn’t I remember to go to the market yesterday?” she murmured to herself.Just then, her belly shifted slightly, and she felt a soft nudge from inside.“Oh now you remind me?” she chuckled softly, pressing a hand to her bump. “You and your late cravings.”She stepped to the doorway and called out to the maid who was sweeping the front steps, “Lalitha! When you’re done, can you run to the market later and get some mango pickle? Maybe lemon too?”The young maid looked up, nodding with a smile. “Yes, Akka! I’ll go after cleaning.”Hema nodded and went back in, settling on the floor cushion near the window. She sighed, eyes scanning the quiet street in front of her. A few children ran past laughing. A flower vendor set up shop under a tree.The opposite house still had its windows closed.Strange.She’d never seen the person who rented it. Only caught the
It had been thirty days since Zayden rented the house across from Hema. Thirty long, unspoken days of watching her move with grace and quiet determination—cooking, cleaning, teaching, working… all while carrying his child.Each morning, she woke early and sat on the veranda with a cup of warm milk, her eyes slightly puffy from interrupted sleep. Her hand would always rest on her growing belly, fingers instinctively rubbing circles.Zayden memorized those circles.He memorized the way she tucked her hair behind her ears, how she laughed when kids from the street called her “Akka,” and how she still sometimes stared into the sky, lips whispering something to the clouds.He passed a month watching her. And in that month, he fell for her all over again.But one thing constantly troubled him—she was still doing everything alone.Cooking, laundry, cleaning, walking to the doctor. She had help from the elderly couple who cared deeply for her, yes—but age had its limits. He saw her try to fix
The hospital lights were far too bright for Zayden’s comfort, but nothing about this day was supposed to be comfortable. He paced the hallway outside the operating theater, Ira cradled carefully in his arms. She looked up at him with those curious eyes, still too young to understand why her usually composed father was walking in frantic loops across polished tiles.Across the hall, Mark looked equally stricken. His face was pale, and his fingers drummed nervously on the side of the chair as he watched the double doors of the maternity wing like a man waiting for a verdict.“Mommy will be here soon,” Zayden muttered, adjusting Ira’s blanket answering her,Zayden nodded. “You think Mia’s okay?”“Mia is okay but I am not,” Mark fired back, trying to force a grin but failing. “Mia threatened to castrate me if I faint during delivery. So yeah, my brain is doing backflips.”Just then, the double doors opened.A nurse walked out, pulling off her mask. “Mr. Zayden?”He stepped forward, heartb
He crashed his mouth to hers—hard, needy. Her hands tangled in his hair as he pressed his body against hers, her thighs wrapping around his waist instinctively. His kiss was urgent, deep, the kind that made her forget where she was. He pulled back just enough to yank her top over her head, exposing her soft breasts, nipples already hard.Zayden groaned at the sight of her and buried his face between them. He licked, kissed, nipped—lavishing each breast with slow, deliberate attention. Hema arched into him, her fingers gripping the bedsheet. His mouth worked her expertly, moving from her breasts to her neck, sucking gently, leaving a trail of wet heat down to her belly.By the time he reached between her legs, she was trembling. His fingers teased her clit, slow circles that made her moan into the air. He loved watching her unravel under his touch—loved seeing her lose control.“Zayden…” she gasped, her thighs twitching. “I need you… inside me.”His lips made a curl. “ you are losing y
The drive stretched endlessly, winding through green hills and coastal turns, the golden hue of the sun bathing the road in warmth. Zayden had planned this break meticulously—no calls, no business, no parenting duties. Just Hema and him, for five full days. Their daughter Ira was safely with Mia, and for the first time in over a year, Hema felt… untethered.She sat in the passenger seat, hair loosely tied, her eyes half-lidded as she stared at the moving landscape. The windows were down just enough for the wind to tousle her strands. Zayden glanced at her sideways, and the way her lips parted ever so slightly—it stirred something primal in him.“You know,” he said, reaching over to entwine his fingers with hers, “I’ve been imagining this trip for weeks.”Hema looked over, already smiling. “I can tell. You’ve been grinning like a maniac since we left.”“I just missed having you to myself,” he said, his voice dropping. “No diapers. No meetings. No interruptions.”She giggled. “And what
The following evening, the golden light of sunset poured into the wide windows of the mansion. Ira was curled up peacefully in her little crib beside the cushioned couch, her tiny hands resting near her face, making gentle sleepy sounds as she dreamed. Hema sat cross-legged on the plush rug nearby, brushing out her hair while Zayden sat beside her, lazily scrolling through photos of Ira’s first steps with an affectionate grin plastered on his face.Mia strolled into the room in her usual confident gait, dressed in her casual yet elegant loungewear, holding a small gift box in one hand.“For the little queen,” she said, placing the box near Ira’s crib and kneeling to press a soft kiss on the baby’s forehead. “I still can’t believe she walked. I missed it!”Hema smiled warmly, setting her brush aside. “She’ll walk into your arms next time. Or maybe run.”Mia’s eyes twinkled as she looked at Hema. “She better. I’m planning to bribe her with toys and secrets.”Zayden chuckled, “Spoiling h
The grand mansion buzzed with life as little Ira, now a spirited one-year-old, filled its halls with her infectious laughter. Her tiny hands and knees propelled her swiftly across the marble floors, making her the darling of everyone—from the seasoned housekeepers to Zayden’s meticulous assistant, Mark. Each had succumbed to her charm, their days brightened by her presence.One particular afternoon, Ira’s curiosity led her on an unexpected adventure. The distant sound of raised voices echoed through the corridors, drawing her attention. Recognizing her mother’s voice, she set off, her crawling turning into determined steps as she clung to walls and furniture for support. The babysitter, momentarily distracted, turned to find Ira missing from her side. Panic surged as she began her search, only to spot the child making her way toward the commotion.Inside the master bedroom, tension crackled. Hema stood her ground, arms crossed, eyes blazing with frustration. Zayden, looking remorseful
The grand black gates of the mansion opened slowly, the familiar creak echoing through the long driveway lined with blooming jasmine. The late afternoon sun bathed everything in golden light as Zayden stepped out of the sleek black SUV, carefully cradling Ira in one arm, while holding Hema protectively with the other. Hema’s steps were slower, her body still weak from the birth, but her heart was full—this was a different kind of return. One not born out of pain or escape, but healing.Mia stood at the entrance, wearing a simple beige dress and a soft, rare smile on her face. Her sharp eyes shimmered the moment she spotted Ira. She rushed down the stairs barefoot, arms extended. “There she is—my little angel!” Mia’s voice trembled with emotion.Zayden grinned as he gently passed Ira into her arms. “She missed her aunt, didn’t she, baby?” he murmured, planting a kiss on Hema’s forehead.Hema chuckled softly and nodded. “We named her,” she said, watching Mia’s eager face.“Oh?” Mia rais
Hema lay curled up beside Zayden, her body still sore from the C-section she had just a week ago. Their baby girl, Ira, was sleeping peacefully next to her in a bassinet . Hema and Zayden had been through so much together, and now, with their little family complete, they felt like the luckiest people in the world.Hema caught him staring and gave him a coy smile. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she slowly reached up and unzipping her kurti, exposing one of her full, heavy breasts."Have a taste," she purred seductively, her voice low and inviting. Zayden's breath hitched as he took in the sight of her perfect breast, the nipple already engorged with milk. His cock instantly hardened, straining against his boxers. He swallowed thickly, desire burning in his veins.Zayde arched an eyebrow. "Are you sure, my love?"Hema nodded with a smile,Zayden's eyes darkened with lust. "I'll be gentle. I promise."In one swift movement, he leaned over her, pressing soft kisses along the swel
The tarmac glistened under the late afternoon sun as Zayden led Hema gently toward the sleek, private jet waiting for them. The sound of soft wind mixed with the distant hum of the plane’s engines. Zayden had one arm securely wrapped around Hema’s waist, supporting her as they walked slowly, while the other held baby Ira against his chest with practiced care.Behind them, two of Zayden’s men followed with their luggage, handling everything swiftly without a word. The elderly couple had waved goodbye, tears in their eyes, just a few minutes ago. Now, as they approached the jet’s steps, Zayden helped Hema up first, handing the baby over for a moment so he could lift her easily.“You don’t have to carry me every time,” Hema mumbled, half-blushing, half-teasing as he lifted her as if she weighed nothing.“You say that as if I’m going to stop,” Zayden smirked. “Let me enjoy being your crutch for a while longer.”He helped her to the spacious cabin of the jet, where a luxurious bed had alre
Zayden stood by Hema’s side as she slowly made her way down the hospital corridor, holding tightly onto his hand. Every step she took was careful, her body still sore, but determined. She didn’t complain. Her grip on his hand tightened whenever the pain in her abdomen throbbed, but she said nothing—only looked ahead, her face slightly pale but strong.Zayden, ever watchful, didn’t take his eyes off her for even a second.“You don’t have to push yourself,” he said gently, adjusting his arm around her waist.“I’m not pushing,” she whispered. “I just want to feel normal again.”Zayden chuckled softly.They reached the end of the hallway, and Hema paused near the window, looking outside at the golden morning sun spreading across the hospital lawn. She took a breath, soaking in the warmth. But the next moment, her knees buckled slightly.“Hema!” Zayden immediately pulled her close.She didn’t fall. She collapsed forward—right into his chest, her forehead resting just above his heart. Her a