Published on:- 22/4/25 [Tuesday]
....

"I have a feeling... they are girls. My daughters. My angels. Like fire and wind... like shadows and light, they will rule the world, Sunaina said and they stood there stunned. 'Daughters?'.

Just then, the door opened and Neil's face appeared before Sunaina's eyes.

"What did you say?" Neil asked and Sunaina's heart sank.

"Dad," she whispered softly.

She glanced at T-Rex, Nora, and Dino, subtly signaling them to leave.

"The twins are boys, not daughters," Neil said in a calm voice, but something in his tone sent a chill through Sunaina's spine.

Her heart trembled. She clenched her fist and replied, "Yes, you are right. They are boys. Your grandsons."

Her voice trembled slightly, and Neil's eyes narrowed. He couldn't believe she accepted it so quickly.

"Are you hiding something from us?" Neil asked as his gaze landed on the blood contracts lying nearby.

Sunaina quickly hid the papers in the drawer and locked it.

"Dad! You are acting like a typical father-in-law again. Relax. There is nothing to hide. Anyway, why are you here? Did Mom ask you to check on me?" she said while standing up.

But Neil's voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Sunaina."

She froze. She looked at him and chose to say nothing.

There was a storm brewing in her eyes and Neil could read it as well

Their eyes met and in that moment, two devils faced each other. One was determined to unveil the truth... the other, an expert in hiding it behind a smirk.

Sunaina licked her lips and said with a small smile, "Yes, Dad?"

A heavy silence hung between them until Neil broke it.

"Nilay seems very busy these days. You are too. I don't know what you both are up to, but remember; we are family. You don't have to hide anything from us. We are here, always."

With that, he turned to leave but paused at the door.

"Your brother is here. I am sending him in".

Sunaina's face went pale. Her body trembled.

No one knew about her miscarriage. Not even Neil and Aashmaan.

The truth was locked deep inside Nilay's and her heart and this truth was suffocating her every time someone mentioned the twins boys.

Her instincts still whispered the same thing; this time, they were girls.

Her daughters.
Her angels.

But the first twins were boys. They gone before she could even hold them.

The weight of that truth crushed her chest. She knew how much her parents' in-laws were excited for the boys. This truth... it would break them. It would break all of them.

Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She looked down, trying to hold herself together.

'I'm sorry,' she thought silently, swallowing the lump in her throat.
'I couldn't save them. And the truth is hidden from you all'.

And just then, the door opened again.

Nilay walked in as his expression was unreadable, followed by Avyaan.

Sunaina blinked quickly, wiping the tears before they could fall. She had to be strong. For them. For herself.

But her body... her heart... it was still drowning in pain but she couldn't show to anyone.

It was her battle and she would do everything for the victory.

"Bhā'i" [Brother], Sunaina's tone changed as her eyes brightened when she saw Avyaan.

Her smile changed the atmosphere as well.

Avyaan smiled and quickly walked to her side.

"You scared me, Naina. Are you okay now?", Avyaan asked her.

"I am fine, Brother. Now that you are here," she said softly, holding his hand.

Nilay watched them silently. His eyes rested on their joined hands for a moment too long.

"Wife! Your husband is here too" Nilay said with a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Sunaina looked at him and smiled mischievously, "I know, husband that you are here too but I was waiting for my brother."

Nilay didn't say a word as his quiet, unreadable gaze flicked once more to Avyaan.

"How are Tarana and the baby?" Sunaina asked as her voice was softer now, trying to anchor herself in normal conversation.

Avyaan scratched the back of his neck, clearly awkward. He hesitated for a moment, as if unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Truth was, Tarana had been tormenting him every night; midnight food cravings, unpredictable mood swings, and emotional outbursts that came out of nowhere.

He let out a weak chuckle.

"They are good. Tara is... glowing. And the baby is kicking like a ninja", he said and Sunaina let out a small laugh.

"She is lucky to have you", She said and Avyaan smiled, though his eyes said he hadn't slept properly in days.

"Don't let her hear that. She thinks I am the lucky one", Avyaan said and they laughed.

Nilay who was standing nearby, just watched the two siblings. His arms were crossed and his gaze was unreadable.

But Sunaina felt it. The storm in his silence.

'He has something to ask me but what?', Sunaina thought.

"Naina! You wanted to see me. What is it?" Avyaan asked and then quickly added, "If it's about work or the Empire, don't even think about it. You just need to take care of yourself."

Avyaan gave her a pointed look as he continued to speak, "I know what the doctor said. You are on bedrest. No stress, no responsibilities. Just rest."

Sunaina opened her mouth to speak but paused. She gave him a small nod and responded, "Brother! It's not about work. I just... missed you".

Avyaan's expression softened. But Nilay's eyes didn't leave her face.

Sunaina could feel the weight of both their stares now.

One was concerned.
The other... suspicion.

Nilay looked at Sunaina and said while turning toward the door,
"I am outside. Let me know if you need anything".

But before he could step out, Sunaina's voice stopped him.

"Nilay!" she called, and he paused, hand still on the door handle.

She took a shaky breath.
"Stay here. I want to talk to my brother... but your presence is important too."

Nilay turned slowly to face her, eyebrows slightly raised.
He wasn't expecting that.

Avyaan looked between the two of them, sensing something heavy in the air.

"Is everything alright?" Avyaan asked.

Sunaina looked at both of them; her husband and her brother.

The two men who meant the most to her.

And for the first time in days, she felt her resolve trembling.

Because what she was about to say... might change everything.

Nilay came closer to her and made her lay on the bed, comfortably.

Both Avyaan and Nilay took their seats.

Sunaina's gaze shifted between Nilay and Avyaan as her fingers curling slightly over the blanket.

She took a deep breath and said suddenly, "Call Tara".

The room fell silent.

Avyaan blinked, "What?"

"Give her a video call", Sunaina repeated.

There was something heavy; something that made both men still in their places.

Avyaan glanced at Nilay, who narrowed his eyes just slightly, sensing that this wasn't just a casual request.

"Naina... why do you want Tara here?", Avyaan asked slowly.

But Sunaina didn't answer.

She simply looked at them and, her silence was creating tension. It was so thick made the air in the room hard to breathe.

Sunaina finally spoke, "Because what I am about to say... all of you need to hear it."

...

How's the chapter readers?

Only a few chapters are left in the book so please read it on time before i shifted the book to another platform.

Thank you
ShineeSunshine ♥️