The Billionaire's Embrace

Bonds Beyond Blood

Aradhya stood rooted to the spot, her mind spinning with a flood of emotions. Her heart raced as she heard Aarav's small, shaky voice once again call out "Dadda" to Atharva. That simple word, uttered from her child's lips, felt like a jolt through her entire being. She watched as Aarav, still in Atharva's strong arms, buried his face into Atharva's chest, seeking comfort, security, and the fatherly warmth he had come to associate with Atharva.

It was the same word that had pierced her heart earlier, and she couldn't bear to hear it again. Not because she didn't trust Atharva, or because she didn't see how much he cared for Aarav—but because, in her mind, allowing Aarav to call Atharva "Dadda" would complicate everything. It would blur lines, create expectations, and invite questions from the world that Atharva didn't deserve to face. She had fought so hard to protect Aarav from the cruel judgments of society, and now, the thought of Atharva becoming entangled in those complexities terrified her.

"Aarav, no..." Aradhya's voice trembled as she took a step forward, her arms outstretched. She couldn't let this happen, not to Atharva. "You can't call him that, baby. It's... it's wrong."

Atharva's head snapped up, his eyes widening in shock. For a moment, he simply stared at her, unable to comprehend the fear in her voice. Aarav's small frame shifted in his arms, his little hands clutching the fabric of Atharva's shirt as if refusing to let go.

"Aradhya, what are you—" Atharva began, his voice low and calm, though his heart pounded in his chest. But before he could finish, Aradhya was already moving toward them, her hands gently reaching for Aarav.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice tight with emotion. "But I can't let him call you that. It'll only cause trouble. For you. For him. For everyone."

Atharva's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice firmer now, though still laced with the gentle understanding he always showed her. "Aradhya, this isn't wrong. It's just a word—a word that means something to him."

But Aradhya wasn't listening. Her panic had taken over, her mind racing with all the potential consequences. She didn't see the warmth in Atharva's eyes, or the love in the way he held Aarav. All she could see were the looming shadows of judgment, the whispers of society that had once torn her life apart.

"I'm doing this for you, Atharva," she murmured, her hands shaking as she tried to take Aarav from his arms. "If people find out, they'll talk. They'll judge. They'll think you've... They'll think you're..."

Atharva's eyes hardened as he took a step back, instinctively pulling Aarav closer to him. The word she left unspoken hung in the air between them. They'll think you've taken responsibility for a child that isn't yours.

The truth of it stung more than Aradhya realized, and Atharva felt something deep inside him snap. His grip on Aarav tightened, his jaw clenched. He wouldn't let her take Aarav from him—not now, not after everything they had been through together.

"No," Atharva said, his voice firm, the softness gone. "You don't get to take him away from me, Aradhya. Not like this."

Aradhya blinked, startled by the intensity in his voice. She hadn't expected this reaction, not from Atharva. He had always been calm, controlled, composed. But now, there was something fierce in his eyes—a protectiveness she hadn't seen before.

"Atharva, I'm not—" she began, but before she could finish, another voice cut through the room, sharp and commanding.

"Aradhya!"

She froze, her head whipping around to see Adhiraj standing just a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression stern. His deep voice echoed through the room, pulling everyone's attention. He had been quietly watching the entire exchange, his gaze never leaving his son and the woman he had come to think of as a daughter.