I narrowed my eyes at him. "Oh, so you're the spice master now? Is that your new superpower?"
He smiled, leaning closer. "Among other things, yes. But my primary superpower is making you smile."
My lips curved involuntarily, fighting against the urge to smile.
Cheeky bastard.
"Alright, enough with the smooth talk. Your lines are sounding straight out of a 90s movie," I remarked, trying to suppress a chuckle.
He chuckled, his smile unapologetic. "Well, you know what they say, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Classic lines never go out of style."
I rolled my eyes, unable to hold back a laugh. "Oh, spare me the vintage charm, Mr. Smooth Operator. We're in the 21st century now."
He leaned in a much closer with a mock-serious expression. "Ah, but you can't deny that a little old-school flair adds a touch of magic to modern times."
I couldn't resist bursting into laughter, shaking my head at his stubborn attitude. "Fine, you win this round. But don't expect me to swoon like a 90s heroine."
He shrugged. "No promises needed. Your smile says it all."
"Oh, god," I exclaimed, pushing him as I got up and sat with my knees folded. He toppled over onto his back, laughing wholeheartedly as he did so.
A smile crept onto my face. The feeling was overwhelming - how much I loved this guy. It was a love that could be painful, but in the best way possible. Who would have thought that I, of all people, would be constructing sentences and waxing poetic about love? But here I was, head over heels.
"You're a handful, you know?" I told him. Maybe this is what all those couples in love were always going on about-the magic of spending quality time together.
He let out a snicker. "Ah, and this is where I'm supposed to say, 'That's why you love me, right?'
"Aditya, I-"
"Yes or No." His voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding.
Shivalika didn't say anything. She knew if she replied with only Yes or No then it will bring up more Misunderstandings.
But Her silence was enough for him.
"The lies, the betrayal... You really thought I wouldn't find out?"
Her eyes drifted to the papers in his hand-papers that would change everything. Her face paled. She had never imagined the truth would come out like this.
"D-DNA report..." Her voice trembled. Her family was now frozen in shock.
The betrayal was too much. His heart, once shattered, He had trusted her, believed her- But she had betrayed him. Not once, but twice. After all these years, she had hidden the truth about his daughter.
"You hid it from me." His voice was thick "For eight years." His words were harsh. "I have a 7 year-old daughter, and I never knew she existed. I thought my child was dead! And you... you didn't think I had the right to know?"
His voice broke into a whisper, one laced with pain. "I should've known. I shouldn't have trusted you after what you did to me eight years ago."
Disgust curling his lips. For the first time, Shivalika saw hatred for her in his eyes, and it pierced her soul. But she knew she deserved it- every bit of his hate. She had broken him all over again.
"You're a lawyer, right? You fight for human rights, but You took away my rights as a father."
"Ms. Chauhan...You will regret hiding this from me. You've seen my love,and now... now you will see my Hate."
"I didn't hate you when you left me. But today, today you've given me a reason to." His face twisted in a storm of fury, betrayal.
"I'll make your life a living hell. This was all because of our family rivalry right? Now, I'll show You what a Real Rivalry looks like."
Each word filled with venom, rage, and the promise of Vengeance.
The man who had once been the hero of someone's story had now become the villain of his own.
His Love turned into Vengeance.