The Rathore mansion no longer carried silence within its walls.

The coldness that once lived between marble corridors and expensive chandeliers had slowly disappeared somewhere between late night cravings, endless family dinners, loud arguments over baby names, and Kabir Rathore constantly following his pregnant wife around the house like she might disappear for two seconds if he looked away.

Life had changed.

Beautifully.

Soft morning sunlight slipped through the curtains of the massive bedroom, falling gently over the couple sleeping peacefully on the bed.

Ishita slowly opened her eyes, only for a small smile to appear on her lips instantly.

Kabir slept beside her, one arm wrapped securely around her waist while his hand rested protectively over her visible baby bump even in sleep, as if his subconscious refused to let her go.

Five months.

Five months of carrying their little world within her.

Sometimes it still felt unreal.Dr. Ishita Rathore.A successful surgeon.Kabir Rathore's wife and now

mother to their child.

Her fingers moved softly through Kabir's hair.

The movement alone was enough for him to wake slightly.Without even opening his eyes properly, he pulled her closer.

"Why are you awake?" he murmured sleepily.

Ishita smiled softly. "Your baby woke me up."

Kabir instantly opened one eye.

"My baby?"

"Yes."

"Our daughter apparently likes kicking me at six in the morning."

Kabir finally opened his eyes completely before sitting up slightly.

"Impossible."

Ishita tried not to laugh. "What impossible?"

"It's my son."

"There is no son."

"There is no daughter either."

"Then?"

Kabir leaned down carefully near her stomach.

"Baby," he spoke seriously, "tell your mother you're a boy."

Ishita burst into laughter instantly.

"You are ridiculous."

Kabir only smiled softly before placing a gentle kiss over her forehead and then another over her bump.

And every single time he did that...

something inside Ishita melted.

There was a time when Kabir Rathore barely spoke unless necessary. A time when anger lived permanently within him. A man feared by the world. A man emotionally distant even from his own family.

But now...

Now he smiled more.

Laughed more.

Sat with his family for breakfast.

Canceled meetings because Ishita felt tired.

Argued with doctors despite being married to one.

And somehow the mighty Kabir Rathore had become softer only for her.

"Kabir!"

Kavya's loud voice echoed through the mansion.

Kabir shut his eyes immediately.

"There," he muttered tiredly. "Peace lasted exactly four minutes."

Ishita giggled while slowly trying to get off the bed.

The moment she stood properly, Kabir was already beside her.

"Slowly."

"Kabir, I'm literally a doctor."

"And currently my pregnant wife."

"I know how pregnancy works."

"And I know you forget to rest."

Before Ishita could argue further, Kabir calmly bent down and helped her wear her slippers himself.

She stared at him quietly.

Sometimes she still couldn't believe this was the same man people feared entering meetings with.

The same man now held her hand while walking downstairs because apparently she might "miss a step."

By the time they reached the dining area, the entire family was already there.

Vir sat scrolling through files on his tablet while Kavya argued with one of the staff members about breakfast. Their grandparents sat nearby, smiling peacefully at the chaos around them.

And for the first time in years...

the mansion truly felt alive.

"Sister-in-law!" Kavya immediately rushed toward Ishita dramatically. "Come sit here beside me."

Kabir narrowed his eyes instantly.

"My wife was sitting beside me."

Kavya ignored him completely before carefully making Ishita sit down.

"How is my little niece?"

"Nephew," Kabir corrected while taking the juice glass for Ishita himself.

Vir finally looked up from his tablet.

"You both are fighting over a child who hasn't even entered the world yet?"

Kabir calmly handed Ishita her medicines.

"At least my child will have intelligent parents."

Vir smirked faintly. "Right."

Ishita smiled quietly while watching them.

These little moments healed her in ways words never could.

The dining table that once carried only silence and formal conversations now echoed with warmth. Teasing. Happiness.

Kabir noticed her expression instantly.

"What happened?"

"Nothing," she whispered softly. "I just... like seeing everyone like this."

Something softened in Kabir's eyes immediately.

Under the table, his fingers intertwined with hers naturally.

The gesture was small.

But meaningful enough to make Ishita emotional.

Breakfast continued peacefully until Kabir finally placed his coffee cup down.

"The hospital project has been finalized."

Vir immediately looked up seriously.

Their grandfather nodded proudly. "Good."

Kabir leaned back slightly.

"The construction will begin in Rajasthan after the final architectural approval."

Kavya blinked. "So soon?"

Kabir nodded once.

"The meeting is tomorrow in Mumbai. The architect team will be there for the final presentation."

Vir closed the file in front of him calmly.

"I'll leave tonight."

Ishita looked toward him instantly.

"So suddenly?"

Vir smiled faintly. "It's just a meeting, sister-in-law."

Still, Ishita looked emotional.

Vir had silently stood beside her through every difficult phase of her life. Somewhere along the way, he had stopped feeling like just Kabir's younger brother.

He had become her own family.

Kabir finally spoke again.

"This hospital isn't just another business project."

Everyone looked toward him quietly.

His gaze shifted toward Ishita for a brief second.

"It matters."

And nobody needed further explanation after that.

Because everyone sitting there knew exactly what this hospital meant to him.

It was never about business.

It was about her.

Kavya suddenly smirked mischievously while looking at Vir.

"What if the architect turns out to be some strict old woman who keeps insulting your designs?"

Vir gave her a blank stare.

"Unlike you, some people work professionally."

"Oh please," Kavya scoffed dramatically. "You don't even smile professionally."

Kabir ignored them while placing more fruits into Ishita's plate.

"Finish this."

"I'm full."

"You said that ten minutes ago too."

"Sister-in-law, don't argue," Kavya immediately joined Kabir's side dramatically. "Brother becomes impossible when it comes to you."

Vir nodded seriously. "That's true."

Ishita looked at all of them helplessly before laughing softly.

And maybe that was the most beautiful thing of all.

The mansion that once echoed with loneliness now carried laughter in every corner.

The rest of the day passed peacefully.

Kavya spent hours discussing baby room decorations while the grandparents argued lovingly over baby names. Kabir handled office meetings from home because apparently staying away from Ishita for unnecessary hours was now unacceptable.

And Vir prepared for Mumbai.

By evening, the atmosphere near the mansion entrance strangely felt emotional despite the fact that Vir was technically leaving only for work.

"You all are behaving like I'm leaving forever," Vir sighed while picking up his car keys.

"That's because you never leave us," Ishita replied softly.

Vir's expression softened instantly.

Before he could say anything, Kabir walked toward him.

"Handle everything personally."

Vir nodded once. "I will."

A few moments later, the car disappeared beyond the Rathore mansion gates while Ishita stood silently watching.

Kabir gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"He'll be back soon."

"I know."

But somehow...

none of them knew that this Mumbai trip was about to change much more than just a hospital project.

Late that night, after reaching Mumbai, Vir entered his hotel suite tiredly while loosening his tie.

His assistant quickly handed him a black file.

"The architect details, sir."

Vir nodded absentmindedly before opening it casually.

But his eyes paused slightly at the name written across the first page.

Arohi Heer.

Vir frowned faintly.

Something about the name felt unfamiliar...

yet strangely unforgettable.

And somewhere within the same city—

destiny had already begun writing another story.