Her innocent king

"Fear of losing "

Ruhaan’s POV

I haven’t met her yet… but I know one thing   she truly loves Ishvik.
She even let him call her “Maa…” as if he were her own flesh and blood.

I tried digging into her background, but all I found was that she belongs to some powerful, untouchable family   one I can’t even dare to step close to.

And still… I don’t know what she really wants. Why is she doing all this? What could she possibly gain from a loser like me?

But one thing I’m thankful for   at least my little brother has found someone who truly loves him, cares for him in ways I sometimes can’t.

And then… there’s her.
Harleen.

The name itself burns like poison on my tongue.
The same bua   my father’s only sister  whom I once thought would protect me and my brother after our parents’ death. The woman I thought would be our anchor, our support.

But instead, she cursed us.
She cursed my mother   the woman who gave me life.

She said Maa was bad luck.
That Maa killed her  brother.

Tell me, how does a wound like that ever heal?

And now… after all these years, Bua suddenly shows us sympathy.
Aise hi?
No. Never.

You must be wondering why I carry so much anger inside me. Why I can’t just… let go.

It’s because I live every single day with the memory of my last fight with Papa.
I had yelled. Screamed. Spat words that were soaked in rage.
And I never got the chance to say sorry.

His last words… they haunt me every night.
“Take care of yourself… and your brother.”

Those were his final words before he died in my arms.
My arms.

And from that day, I’ve carried the guilt like chains wrapped around my throat.

My bua didn’t stop there. She snatched 50% of the restaurant profit under her name. Fifty percent   stolen from the blood, sweat, and dreams of my father.

I earn well enough, but with half of everything ripped away, I’ve been forced to balance luxuries and survival on a knife’s edge. Still, I manage.
I have to. For Ishvik.

That’s why I started trading as a side hustle. Every rupee I save is for him his studies, his dreams, his future.

And now… in a few days, my bua demands an answer. If I don’t bend to her conditions, she will take away the entire restaurant  Papa’s legacy.

I have no choice but to say yes.

But all I can think of is Ishvik.
What if she treats him badly? What if my little brother suffers under her cruelty?

He is my only family. My only reason to breathe. And he already hates her. Even Ishvik doesn’t want her near us…

Author POV

Days passed like shadows creeping over a wounded heart.

Siya would visit Ishvik from time to time, her gentle presence softening the little boy’s loneliness. She was the only warmth in his small world.

Ruhaan’s POV

One evening, I decided to give Ishvik a smile he hadn’t worn in days. I took him to his favorite play zone, watched his laughter echo like bells, and then we ate his favorite food.

Agastya, my only best friend, joined us. At one point, he caught my eye, signaling me  “Tell him the truth.”

I swallowed hard, turned to my brother.