The Billionaire's Embrace

Building Trust

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The air between them had shifted since that day at the hospital. Atharva's unexpected visit, his forceful intervention, and the way he took charge of Aarav's care had left Aradhya both rattled and grateful. She wasn't used to anyone stepping into her life, let alone someone as powerful as Atharva Raichand. Yet, there was something undeniably kind in the way he cared for Aarav.

Days had passed since the hospital incident, and Atharva had begun visiting more frequently, finding reasons to stop by the small apartment where Aradhya lived. Sometimes, it was to check on Aarav's health, other times, just to make sure they were doing okay. His visits were short at first, marked by polite exchanges, but they began to stretch longer as he became a more frequent presence in their lives.

*** 

It began with a simple gesture: Atharva started dropping by their small apartment more regularly. At first, his visits were brief, often just a few minutes spent talking with Aradhya and making sure Aarav was doing well. He would arrive with small gifts—books, toys, and occasionally even homemade meals for Aradhya. Each time, Aradhya found herself struggling to reconcile this new side of Atharva with the ruthless businessman she had heard.

"Hi, Atharva," she greeted one afternoon as she opened the door to find him standing there with a colorful bag in hand.

"Good afternoon, Aradhya," Atharva replied, a rare smile softening his usually stern features. "I brought a few things for Aarav. How is he today?"

"Come in," Aradhya said, stepping aside. She noticed how Atharva's eyes softened when he saw Aarav playing on the living room floor with his blocks.

Aarav looked up and, recognizing Atharva, his face lit up with excitement. "Dadda!" he exclaimed, waddling over with his small arms outstretched.

Aradhya's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly reminded herself that Atharva was not Aarav's father. She hoped to avoid any confusion, but her son's enthusiastic response was undeniable.

Atharva knelt down to Aarav's level and opened the bag. "Hello, little one. I brought you some new toys. Do you like them?" he asked, pulling out a set of brightly colored building blocks.

Aarav's eyes widened with delight. "Yay! ooiiiees! Dadda pway?" he asked, his baby voice full of hope.

"Of course, we'll play together," Atharva said, smiling. He spent the next hour on the floor with Aarav, building towers and playing games. Each time Atharva engaged with Aarav, the little boy seemed to grow more comfortable with him. The shyness that had once marked their interactions slowly faded.

Aradhya observed from the sofa, her feelings a mix of gratitude and apprehension. Atharva's presence was undeniably positive for Aarav, but Aradhya found herself questioning the motives behind his actions. The business tycoon's sudden interest in their lives was bewildering, and she couldn't help but be cautious.

One evening, as Atharva helped Aarav with a puzzle, Aradhya took a deep breath and approached him. "Thank you for everything you've done, Atharva. I appreciate the help, but I need to ask—why are you doing this?"

Atharva glanced up from the puzzle, his expression thoughtful. "I suppose I'm not entirely sure myself. There's something about Aarav... and you. I feel a connection. I just want to help."

Aradhya nodded slowly, her eyes searching his face. "I'm grateful for your support, but I need to understand more. It's not easy for me to trust easily."

"I understand," Atharva said gently. "I'm here if you need anything. No strings attached."

As the weeks passed, Atharva's visits became more frequent. Each time he came, he brought a sense of stability and warmth to the small apartment. Aarav's bond with him continued to grow stronger, and their interactions were filled with cute and fluffy moments that melted Aradhya's heart.