I have nothing to do with him

Chapter 51

The sun streamed through the curtains of the Oberoi home, casting a warm glow in the living room. Annika was preparing breakfast when the doorbell rang. She exchanged a glance with Shivaay, who was still sipping his coffee.

"Who could that be this early?" Shivaay wondered aloud, setting his cup down.

"I'll get it," Annika replied, wiping her hands on a towel as she headed to the door.

As she opened it, her expression shifted from curiosity to surprise. Standing there were Shivaay's uncle and aunt, their faces drawn and anxious.

"Shivaay!" his uncle exclaimed, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "We need to talk."

Annika's heart sank. She knew the Oberoi family's history all too well. "What is it?" she asked, crossing her arms defensively.

"We're in trouble," his aunt said, her voice trembling. "The business is going bankrupt. We need your help—money to keep it afloat before it gets auctioned off."

Shivaay stood frozen, shock written all over his face. He had always known the family business was struggling, but hearing it from them made it all too real.

"Why should we help you?" Annika shot back, her voice laced with anger. "You've always put your own interests first, leaving us to deal with the fallout!"

"Annika..." Shivaay began, wanting to diffuse the situation, but she continued.

"No! They come here asking for money like it's nothing! What about Arush? What about our daughter? Do you want them to grow up in that toxic environment again?"

His uncle looked taken aback, and his aunt fidgeted nervously. "We're family," she said weakly.

"Family? You mean the same family that turned their backs on us when we needed support?" Annika retorted, her voice rising. "I won't let you interfere in our lives again!"

Shivaay felt torn between his family's legacy and the life he had built with Annika. He wanted to help but also understood her concerns. "I just need to think about this," he said slowly, his mind racing.

Just then, Shivaay's cousins Om and Rudra arrived, sensing the tension in the air. Om stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Shivaay replied tersely, trying to mask his inner turmoil.

"Looks like something," Rudra chimed in, glancing at their uncle and aunt. "You guys look like you've seen a ghost."

"Let's just say they need money," Annika said sharply, her gaze fixed on them.

Om raised an eyebrow at Shivaay. "Is that true?"

Shivaay nodded slowly, feeling the weight of their family's expectations pressing down on him. "They're in trouble."

"And you're thinking of helping them?" Om asked carefully.

"I don't know yet," Shivaay admitted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "But I don't want to see our family name go down like this."

Annika shook her head vehemently. "Shivaay, think about what that means for us. They've only ever brought chaos into our lives. I won't let them ruin Arush's childhood or our daughter's future!"

Rudra looked between them, sensing the conflict. "Maybe we can find another way? We don't have to get involved directly."

Om nodded in agreement. "Yeah, there must be other options. You don't owe them anything."

Shivaay felt a storm brewing inside him—his family loyalty battling against his desire to protect his own family. "But they're still family," he murmured.

"Family doesn't always mean support," Annika replied firmly. "Sometimes it means protecting those you love from harmful influences."

As Arush was still at school, Shivaay knew they had time to discuss this further. But the thought of his family's legacy crumbling weighed heavily on him.

"I just don't want to see everything we've built fall apart," he said quietly.

Annika reached out and took his hand, grounding him in the moment. "What we've built is more important than any business. We have each other and our children."

Shivaay looked into her eyes and saw the strength and conviction there. He knew she was right; they had worked hard to create a safe and loving environment for Arush and their soon-to-arrive daughter.

"I'll talk to them," he finally said, determination settling in. "But I won't let them interfere in our lives again."

Om and Rudra exchanged relieved glances as Annika squeezed Shivaay's hand tightly.

"Together," she reminded him softly.

"Together," he echoed, feeling a sense of unity between them amidst the chaos surrounding their family.

Later that afternoon, after Arush returned from school, Shivaay gathered everyone in the living room for a serious discussion.

"Listen," he began, looking at his uncle and aunt with a firm expression. "I understand you're in trouble, but I can't just give you money without knowing how it will affect my family."

"We're family!" his uncle insisted again.

"Yes, but what kind of family?" Annika interjected fiercely. "One that takes advantage of others' kindness? We've been through too much already."

Shivaay nodded in agreement with Annika's sentiments. "If I help you, it will be with strict conditions. I won't allow you to disrupt our lives or bring your problems into our home."

His aunt looked taken aback but nodded slowly, realizing they had little choice if they wanted any support at all.

"Fine," she said reluctantly. "We'll do whatever you ask."

Shivaay felt a mixture of relief and apprehension as he set boundaries for their involvement. But deep down, he knew it was necessary for the sake of his family's future.

As the conversation continued, Annika stood by Shivaay's side, a silent pillar of strength and resolve. Together, they would navigate these turbulent waters—protecting their children while trying to salvage what remained of their family ties.

After everyone left, Annika turned to Shivaay with concern in her eyes. "Are you okay?"

He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. "I don't know if I made the right choice."

"You did what you had to do," she reassured him softly. "We'll face this together."

As they settled onto the couch with Arush nestled between them after finishing his homework, Shivaay realized that no matter what challenges lay ahead—his priority would always be protecting his family above all else.

With Annika by his side and their children in their hearts, he felt ready to confront whatever came next—even if it meant standing against the very family that had once tried to tear them apart.