The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the city of Mumbai. Vedant stood outside the grand penthouse, fumbling with the keys to the door. As the lock turned, a sense of foreboding washed over him, swallowing him whole.

It was late, and the silence of the night seemed to amplify the weight of his footsteps echoing through the dimly lit hallway. Entering the penthouse, he was greeted by silence. His eyes darted around, searching for any sign of movement.

His heart pounded in his chest as he tiptoed towards the living room. There, he found her. Mahi, his enigmatic wife, laying on the sofa. Seven months pregnant, she looked uncomfortable, tossing and turning in her sleep.

Her belly protruded beneath his shirt that she was wearing, and her face contorted in discomfort even in her sleep. Vedant's heart sank at the sight, his protective instincts kicking in.

In that moment, the darkness of the room seemed to deepen, as if enveloping them in its own secret embrace. Vedant quietly approached Mahi, his presence barely a whisper against the backdrop of the city's bustling chaos. Gently, he lifted her delicate frame into his arms, cradling her like a priceless treasure.

With gentle hands, he lifted her cradled form, her warmth seeping into his cold skin.

He carried her effortlessly, her growing belly nestled against his chest, and made his way towards their luxurious bedroom. The room, bathed in the moon's soft glow, held an air of mystique as shadows danced upon the walls. Vedant placed Mahi on the bed, her body sinking into the plush mattress, cocooned in the embrace of comfort.

As he stood there, watching her peaceful slumber, a myriad of emotions swirled within him. The weight of their arrangement, the secrets that bound them, and the unspoken depths of their connection all consumed his thoughts. The darkness of the night seemed to mirror the enigma of their relationship.

But as Vedant turned to leave, a wave of longing washed over him. The softness of her breath, the faint caress of her hand against his, everything beckoned him to stay. He resisted the temptation, for the rules of their contract were clear, and the boundaries could not be crossed.

Mahi suddenly stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Vedant was flustered, but he quickly composed himself and completely relaxed when he felt the soft touch of Mahi on his stubbled cheek.

"When did you come back, Ved?"

He tucked the strand of her hair back with tenderness he didn't know he possessed and leaned over, lips almost touching hers as he whispered, "Just now. Saw you sleeping outside, looking all uncomfortable."

"I was waiting for you." As Mahi looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, she couldn't help but let her guard down.

"I've missed you," she whispered, her voice laced with a mixture of longing and sadness.

Vedant felt a wave of emotion crash over him, his carefully constructed facade cracking under the weight of their growing connection. He had never expected to feel this way, but here he was, consumed by her presence and the unborn child they shared.

"Mahi," Vedant whispered, his voice filled with concern. "What's wrong? You know I'm here for you."

Tears spilled down Mahi's cheeks as she looked up at him, her voice trembling. "I don't want to lose you, Vedant. I'm scared that you'll walk away and leave me to my old life. It's like everyone else in my life has..."

Stepping closer, Vedant reached out to brush a stray wisp of hair from Mahi's face. "You are not just an actress now, Mahi. You are the mother of my child, the one who will carry forward my legacy. I am in awe of your strength."

Tears glistened in Mahi's eyes as she absorbed his words. For so long, she had felt lost in the cutthroat world of acting, but Vedant's unwavering support had become her anchor. He had breathed life into her fading career and lifted her spirits when she was drowning in self-doubt.

Vedant found himself captivated by Mahi's enchanting presence, her mysterious allure pulling him closer. A force beyond their control beckoned them to traverse forbidden territory.

His eyes darkened as he noticed that she was only wearing his shirt. He had been noticing that for a few days, she preferred to be as bare as possible. It was not an issue as no one was allowed on this penthouse and that he had already explored every inch of her perfect body.

Climbing into bed beside her after undressing himself till he was in his boxers, Vedant pulled Mahi close, his arms a safe haven against the chaos of their lives. They clung to one another, their bodies fitting together like two broken puzzle pieces seeking solace in each other's embrace.

Seeing Mahi's eyes glistening with tears, Vedant felt a pang in his heart. He had never been the emotional sort of a person, and now he felt like removing every worry in Mahi's life.

Their lips met in a desperate, passionate kiss, a collision of emotions that neither could deny. In that moment, the boundaries of their contract were shattered, and love infiltrated the very core of their existence.

Both of them had never experienced something this raw, this intense with their partners till they met each other. Mahi had never met anyone who would worship her body. Till it came to Vedant. He always made her reach the heights of ecstaty she never knew existed. And Vedant, he was a dominant in bed by nature. And Mahi gave him that push and need to do that.

In the secrecy of the moonlit chamber, desire ignited a fire that consumed them both. The walls, witnesses to their transgressions, seemed to whisper secrets never meant to be revealed. In that moment, Vedant's possessive instincts were unleashed, shattering any pretense of a mere contract.

"Mahi, do you want to continue? I don't want to take advantage of your vulnerable state." Vedant whispered.

"I am vulnerable only in front of you, Ved. Take me." Mahi whispered back, gulping her tears.

Words of ownership filled the room, whispered against the backdrop of stolen breaths and tangled limbs. Possessiveness intertwined with a newfound tenderness, blurring the lines between duty and love. In that haze of passion, the world outside ceased to exist, leaving only their entangled souls.

The allure of the forbidden overwhelmed them, and they found themselves locked in an embrace, their bodies consumed by an uncontrollable longing. In that moment, Vedant's possessiveness ignited, and he laid claim to Mahi with an intensity that left her breathless.

"You're so beautiful, Mahi. I never imagined I'd have a wife like you someday."

"You take out the best in me, Ved."

Their encounter, tainted with whispered promises and stolen moments, revealed a side to Vedant that Mahi had never seen before. The darkness within him painted their entanglement with an otherworldly romance, a dance between light and shadow that captivated her senses. In the depths of their passionate encounter, they delved into a realm where rules and boundaries ceased to exist.

Their bodies intertwined in a dance of desperation, their hearts embracing a love that defied reason. The shadows in the room seemed to dance with delight, as if the darkness itself reveled in their secret liaison.

As the night faded into the dawn, their illicit tryst left them both haunted by their forbidden connection. The lines between duty and desire blurred, and they found themselves tangled in a web of emotions they were unprepared to face. The darkness that once intrigued them now threatened to consume them whole as they fought against the undeniable pull they felt for one another.

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Mahi was busy with her maternity shoot. As an actress and the wife of a famous businessman, she had to keep up her social life and be in the headlines as much as possible. And a maternity shoot was something that she always dreamt of having.

Unfortunately, Vedant had to go on a business trip a day before, and it was only her. She was sure that their child would definitely ask where his/ her father was, but it was such circumstances that neither of them could change. The maternity shoot team had denied any other date.

As the sunlight spilled through the window, Mahi sat in the break room, lost in a haze of memories. Thoughts of Vedant, the man who had once entered her life like an enigmatic shadow, flooded her mind. She couldn't help but think back to that fateful night when everything had changed.

It was a glamorous elite party filled with the rich and influential. Mahi, being a struggling actress, had found herself drawn to the glimmering lights and enchanting atmosphere. Little did she know, Vedant had been watching her from across the room, his eyes fixated on her every move.

There was something about Mahi that captivated him. He saw in her the perfect wife, the ideal mother for his future child.

And so, with a determined mind, he reached out to her. In his message, Vedant confessed to Mahi that he knew of her struggles. He sought an heir for his business as he was already 32 while she longed for the breakthrough she so desperately deserved. A marriage, he proposed, would be a union of convenience, benefiting them both.

He spoke of his desire for an heir, explaining his own orphaned background. Vedant proposed an arrangement, a marriage of convenience, with the promise of financial security and the chance to fulfill Mahi's dreams. It seemed like a deal that could benefit them both.

With uncertainty weighing on her heart, Mahi eventually agreed. She knew most of the unions in their industry were settlements of these kinds only, and she had no problems in getting in one either. At least that would save her from the sickening looks and disgusting words she gets from different directors, actors, and producers.

In the beginning of their marriage, Mahi was busy with a shooting of an upcoming movie on the sets where she was uncomfortable due to the sickening looks the director kept on giving her. He clearly thought she was someone who would sleep with him in exchange for a movie. But how wrong he was!

That day itself, Vedant had thought to meet Mahi because the previous night they were in the middle of some raunchy sex when suddenly he had to leave to his office for an embezzlement case. He was guilty and thought Mahi might be angry at him, so he inquired where his wife was and decided to surprise her, even after not having a blink of sleep for 48 hours.

Mahi, whose scene just ended, was astounded to see Vedant standing there. And to seek protection from that director, she ran into the arms of her husband, who was surprised but comforted her.

"Mahi, are you okay?" Vedant felt as if something was wrong.

"I- I" Mahi wasn't saying anything, but her gaze went on wandering towards the director, who was still giving her the disgusting smirk.

It was as if Vedant understood in a second. He instantly crashed his lips onto hers as if he was claiming his rights, and Mahi melted right away in his arms.

To no surprise, the director was canceled in the upcoming week. He was exposed by a lot of women and actors, and he was all over the news for a month! To thank him, Mahi had baked him his favorite red velvet cake and had prepared for another night of passion for them.

But as the days turned into nights and the nights into moments of unrelenting passion, Mahi and Vedant found themselves unable to control their desires. Their attraction was magnetic, an invisible force that drew them together again and again.

It didn't take long for Mahi to discover that she was pregnant. Their union had borne the fruit of their love, a child that would be the embodiment of their intense connection. As the news settled, rather than feeling trapped, they found themselves unexpectedly open with one another.

The dark, mysterious nature of their relationship began to unravel, revealing a tender side neither of them had anticipated. Vulnerable confessions were exchanged, secrets shared, and a bond formed that transcended their initial arrangement.

Releasing a wavered breath, Mahi got up from the chair, ignoring the pain in her belly. It was difficult for her to stand or live without anyone's support. Vedant was super hesitant to leave her, but Mahi had forced him. She was 8 and a half months pregnant, and the doctor had said that she would give birth any time now.

Before Mahi could lose her strength, she felt a strong hand under her belly and another wrapped around her shoulder protectively.

Her gaze moved towards Vedant, who was giving her a gentle smile, and instantly, Mahi burst into a pool of tears.

"You're making it hard for me to believe that this is just a contract marriage, Vedant. Your actions surprise me every time." Mahi confessed knowing how ruthless he was known in the media. She was getting to see a different kind of side of his. One that she wasn't aware of before she married him.

"All I know is that the woman standing in front of me is my wife who needs her husband at this stage." Vedant smiled, pressing a kiss on her forehead as he wiped his tears.

He sat himself on the comfortable couch, and before Mahi could realize, she was pulled into his lap.

"Are you crazy? Don't you see how heavy I am these days?" Mahi was baffled at Vedant's actions.

"I think you forgot about the previous night when you were riding me for almost an hour." Vedant smirked, and Mahi's face turned beetroot. She was completely flushed.

"We need to stop. The baby might come anytime now." Mahi interjected with a soft frown.

"Yeah, that's not happening." Vedant said without any hesitation that made Mahi slap his chest.

"Do you want to continue with the shoot?" Mahi questioned.

"Of course. What else do you think I am here for?" Vedant spoke back, and the two embraced each other in a gentle and much needed hug.

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In the depths of the night, shadows danced across the walls of the dimly lit hospital room. Mahi, her face filled with anticipation and a hint of fear, clutched onto Vedant's hand tightly. The air seemed heavy with a sense of mystery as they waited for the arrival of their long-awaited child.

Whispers of suspense echoed through the corridors as nurses and doctors prepared for the momentous occasion. Mahi had insisted that Vedant be the only one allowed inside the room to witness their child's first breath. She knew she needed him by her side to face whatever lay ahead.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the room fell silent as if the world itself held its breath in anticipation. The only sound that could be heard was Mahi's gentle breathing, growing increasingly laborious. Vedant's eyes never left her, his love and support emanating from his every pore.

Mahi lay on the bed, her body contorted in agony as another wave of contraction washed over her. Her face scrunched tightly together, and her nails dug into the palms of his hands, leaving crescent-moon marks in their wake.

Vedant held her hand tightly, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the  back of her hand as he watched her suffer. He couldn't help but feel helpless.

It seemed like forever since they had arrived at the hospital, and yet, there was still no sign of the baby making its way into the world. And then suddenly, without warning, Mahi let out a bloodcurdling scream that pierced straight through Vedant's heart.

Vedant clutched at her hand even harder, begging her not to leave him alone in this desolate place. But Mahi only squeezed his hand reassuringly before letting out another long, tortured moan as she pushed once again.

It felt like hours had passed since she had started labor, and yet, the baby still refused to make its entrance into the world.

Vedant could feel his own heart racing as the intensity of Mahi's contractions increased, each one seeming to bring her closer to the brink of madness. And yet, despite the pain etched across her face, he could see the determination shining through, a spark of fierce resolve that told him she would not back down until the job was done.

He could feel his own heart pounding in his chest, the adrenaline rushing through his veins as he watched her struggle to bring their child into the world.

The doctor stood over them, his arms folded across his chest as he watched the events unfold with a mixture of concern and admiration. "Just a little bit longer," he said softly, his voice barely audible over the sound of Mahi's ragged breathing.

"You can do this."

And then, without warning, the baby made its grand entrance into the world. There was a loud cry, followed by a flurry of movement as the
doctor rushed to catch the baby and wrap it up in a blanket.

In that moment, all of Vedant's fears and worries melted away, replaced by a surge of relief and joy unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

His eyes were filled with tears as he stared down at the tiny bundle resting against Mahi's chest, its minuscule fists curled tightly around nothing at all. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever beheld, and he knew that he would cherish it for the rest of his life.

But even as he savored these moments of bliss, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the thought of how much Mahi must have suffered during the process.

As he gazed down at the two of them, wrapped in each other's arms like a pair of lost souls finally found, he realized just how lucky he was to have been able to witness such a miracle firsthand.

He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss against Mahi's forehead as he whispered, "Thank you. Thank you for trusting me enough to share this journey with me."

She smiled up at him, her eves still shimmering with tears of joy. "I couldn't have done it without you," she murmured, cradling the baby close to her chest.

Vedant swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat as he looked down at the two of them. "You did everything," he replied quietly, his voice thick with emotion, "All I did was stand by your side and watch you conquer the impossible."

As they sat there, basking in the warmth of their newfound bond, Vedant couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them.

He had never imagined himself as a father, let alone a husband, but something deep within him told him that this was where he belonged.

Mahi seemed to sense his thoughts because she turned to look at him with a soft smile on her lips.

"We're going to be okay," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "We've come so far already, and we'll continue to fight for our happily ever after."

He took her hand in his, squeezing it gently as he nodded in agreement.

"We will," he promised her, knowing full well that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. But he also knew that they were stronger together than apart and that as long as they had each other, they could overcome any obstacle that came their way.

Vedant looked down at the baby nestled in Mahi's arms, marveling at the miracle of life that lay sleeping between them. It was a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there was always the possibility of light.

He wasn't an orphan anymore. He had the best wife in the world and the cutest child ever. He had his own family! His own bloodline!

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15 days.

15 days Mahi and Vedant did nothing but learned how to be a parent. From each and every basic detail they needed, they acquired everything. Vedant's penthouse was a mess, smelling like baby powder every corner, but it seemed like it was their favorite scent nowadays.

Mahi was in the baby's nursery, who was just washed up and fed. She had denied keeping any nanny for her son, saying she wanted to be at every step when he grew up, and Vedant had also decided that their son and Mahi were his priority now. He rarely stayed at the office these days.

Vedant stepped into the dimly lit nursery of his son where Mahi was sitting on the armchair cradling their sleeping son, Hredhan, in her arms, murming a lullaby to him.

Vedant smiled at the sight. It all felt home. He was glad he decided to leave office early and came back before 7 PM.

The rawness of this bond they shared inside this home, whether between Vedant and Mahi or the one between them and their son, always astounded him. He didn't have to pretend anything in front of them. It was all natural. They didn't judge him.

Mahi didn't care that he had ugly scars on his whole body or that he didn't have the best complexion. All that she cared about and always said was how protected he made her feel! She could and would spend hours in his arms.

Seeing Vedant walking inside the nursery, Mahi gave him the sweetest smile despite the fact that she appeared. She had dark circles, messy hair, and dull skin, but to Vedant, she appeared as the most beautiful. As the mother of his son. As his wife.

Vedant took Hredhan from her arms and kissed his forehead while whispering sweet nothings. Mahi smiled painfully. This was what she was scared of. He might forget about her or the connection they formed once their child will be born. Because that was the first reason why they even got married.

But to her surprise, Vedant put the sleeping Hredhan in his cot and switched on the baby monitor who was connected with their bedroom.

And then he turned towards Mahi, who had a sad frown on her face. Without thinking twice, he picked her in his arms as if she were a child.

"What are you doing?" Mahi was surprised.

"Just appreciating my beautiful wife and showing her what she deserves." Saying this, he carried her outside the nursery to their bedroom and directly walked to the en suite bathroom, setting her on the expensive granite countertops.

As he was about to remove the oversized t-shirt, or more like his t-shirt she was wearing, Mahi shook her head.

"I- I-"

"Do you really think I wouldn't like the body of my wife who just gave birth to our son? Do you think I am that shallow?" Vedant questioned with a serious expression.

"It's not about you. You're the best. I am just not confident about my body now." Mahi whispered.

"Don't you remember that we promised to be as open as possible with each other with all our might? That we won't judge? That we will accept all our insecurities? Will you like it if I say that I will never show my body to you because of my scars?" He looked as if he was starting to get angry.

"Are you crazy? You're the most handsome man I have ever seen." Mahi shook her head.

"And you're forgetting that I was smitten by you when I first saw you. This change in your body doesn't change my perspective at all, Mahi." Vedant reprimanded her.

"I know....I- I just never thought this day would ever come. These past days have been so difficult for me. I've experienced things for the first time and made some life changing decisions too." Mahi let out.

"Like?"

"Like I don't want to continue acting anymore. That life isn't for me. The industry and the people in it are not what I want to indulge myself again in. The time I have been away from it felt the best. And now I feel like I want to give my whole time to our son and you. I can be a freelancer when it's the right time, but all I know is I don't want to get back into that environment and just want you and Hredhan as my priority." Mahi confessed.

"Mahi, don't take a rash decision. You have plenty of time to think about that, but all I want you to know is I will support you at every step. Whatever you decide will be the final decision, and I know whatever you'll do will be the best." Vedant was surprised, to say the least, but he tried to be as supportive as possible.

"And do whatever you like in the time being. I earn enough to provide for my family and our generations ahead, so that's not a concern, but all I want is the best for you." He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I want to say one more thing." Mahi said, and Vedant nodded while he was undressing her.

"I love you. Only you." Mahi confessed, looking deep into Vedant's orbs.

"And I love you more, my wife. Forever and ever, only you. We'll prove to be the best family ever. That's my promise to you." Vedant smiled.

And the two enveloped each other in a heart smearing kiss for a lifetime.

They had each other and a son, and that is all that mattered to them.

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How was it? The update frequency will totally depend on the bandwidth of your engagement and response! Do remember that.