After a long and hectic day at the office, Vansh returned home, snapping the door open. He placed his office bag on the table and sank onto the sofa. Rubbing his forehead vigorously to ease the work-induced tension, he sighed deeply and closed his eyes.

As his hand brushed against his temple, he felt something cold and metallic. His eyes flew open, realizing he had touched the edge of a gun. Vansh gasped as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

"Mr. Firestorm, surrender for the crime you've committed, or I'll shoot you!" A childish, spooky voice startled him, prompting him to turn his head.

"Hansika! Why are you playing with a gun?" Vansh exclaimed, attempting to grab the toy gun from the little girl.

"You committed a big crime. Mrs. Firestorm is crying because of you," Hansika declared, her tone serious for her age, making Vansh stand up straight in alarm.

He raised his eyebrows, silently asking where Riddhima was. Hansika pointed her tiny finger toward the kitchen. Vansh hurriedly made his way there.

In the kitchen, he found Riddhima eating French fries, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Riddhima!" Vansh panicked, rushing to her side. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

Riddhima looked up at him, her face glowing yet visibly emotional. Her appearance had changed completely. She had gained weight, especially around her lower tummy.

Yes, Riddhima was eight months pregnant. Her glowing skin and chubby cheeks added to her radiant beauty.

"I want something sweet," Riddhima sobbed, leaning into Vansh for a side embrace.

Her growing baby bump made it impossible to hug him as tightly as she used to.

Meanwhile, Hansika, distracted, ran off to chase Caesar, the family dog, in the backyard.

Vansh gently led Riddhima from the kitchen to the living room and helped her settle comfortably on the sofa. Sitting next to her with a bowl of hot French fries, he tried to console her.

"I need something sweet," Riddhima pleaded with innocent eyes, making Vansh fall even deeper in love with his wife.

"You can have me," Vansh teased, earning a glare from her.

"Stop your bad jokes! I need something sweet," Riddhima demanded, her tone firm, causing Vansh to chuckle.

Riddhima grabbed a handful of French fries from the bowl resting on Vansh's lap. While she ate, Vansh rummaged through his office bag.

"To me, our kisses are the sweetest thing in the world," Vansh said playfully, trying to annoy her.

"You're a terrible husband! You can't even fulfill your wife's cravings during pregnancy!" Riddhima scolded, making Vansh laugh.

"Vansh!" she yelled as he pulled out a chocolate bar from his bag.

"I don't want this chocolate," she declared with a pout.

Raising an eyebrow, Vansh asked, "What do you want then?"

"I need dark chocolate," she replied in a challenging tone.

Without missing a beat, Vansh reached into his office bag again and pulled out a bar of dark chocolate, stunning Riddhima.

Unwrapping the chocolate, he broke off a piece and fed it to her. At the beginning of her pregnancy, Vansh had struggled with her mood swings, but now he had become an expert. His office bag no longer carried laptops or documents—it was now stocked with snacks for Riddhima's cravings.

He watched as she savored the dark chocolate, her face still streaked with tears. Vansh smiled and gently wiped them away with his fingers.

As Riddhima finished half the chocolate, her eyes shifted from the treat to Vansh, who was lovingly watching her eat.

She realized, once again, that the best thing to ever happen in her life was her marriage to Vansh. Despite being a successful businessman in Texas, Vansh had completely transformed himself to support and cherish her during her pregnancy.

Coming back from India to the U.S., Riddhima had completed all the required processes to practice as a doctor in the States. The process was long and tedious.

Vansh had decided that they would marry only after both had established their careers in the U.S. It took four years for them to stabilize in their respective fields.

Though Vansh could have used his mafia power to speed things up, he consciously chose not to. He wanted to live a life free of shortcuts.

Riddhima admired Vansh's attitude and the way he had transformed himself—for her. She ensured that he, too, was happy with the changes in his life.

As she glanced at their wedding photo, memories of their special day filled her heart. Their wedding had taken place a year ago, and Riddhima had been overjoyed. Seeing Vansh's smile and his steadfast commitment during the ceremony had made her heart race.

Her gaze shifted from the photo to Vansh, who was watching her with the same smile and unwavering love.

"Do you want some dark chocolate?" Riddhima offered him the remaining piece.

"No, I don't want chocolate. What I want is a sweet kiss from my wife," Vansh teased, leaning closer to her.

"I'm not interested," Riddhima replied with a mischievous smile.

"Mrs. Firestorm, I understand," Vansh said with a playful wink.

"What do you understand?" Riddhima asked, raising an eyebrow as she finished the chocolate.

"I understand your mood swings," Vansh retorted, eliciting a frustrated glare from her.

"Why do you always bring up my mood swings?" Riddhima yelled, her annoyance flaring.

"Riddhima!" Vansh called out gently, his affectionate tone calming her.

"I don't have mood swings!" she suddenly burst into tears, startling Vansh.

The whirlwind of emotions reminded him yet again that these were pregnancy hormones at play.

"Fine, you don't have mood swings," Vansh said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to console her.

Riddhima rested her head on Vansh's chest, sobbing softly. Since the pregnancy announcement, Vansh had experienced an array of emotions as a husband and soon-to-be father.

"Mr. Firestorm, are you angry with me?" Riddhima sniffled, fiddling with the buttons on his shirt.

"No! How could I be angry with my Waterstorm?" Vansh replied with a grin, making Riddhima glare at him.

She balled her hand into a fist and lightly punched his chest.

"Call me Mrs. Firestorm!" she warned.

"Alright, Mrs. Firestorm," Vansh said with a laugh. "But I still want a kiss."

"Vansh, Hansika is in the house. How could we kiss with her around? It's wrong," Riddhima blushed, patting his cheek playfully.

"Wrong? According to your Firestorm, everything is fair when it comes to kissing my wife," Vansh declared, leaning closer.

His proximity made Riddhima's heart pound. Her spine stiffened as Vansh's darkened gaze locked on hers.

Vansh's lips brushed against hers, his warm breath fanning her face. Riddhima's breathing became shallow, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Suddenly, she craved a deeper connection. Though initially concerned about their surroundings, Vansh's cologne and closeness dissolved her hesitation.

"Shall I?" Vansh asked teasingly, his lower lip brushing against hers.

Riddhima closed her eyes and surrendered. Vansh captured her lips in a passionate kiss, taking full control.

Riddhima's hands wandered to his jawline and hair, while Vansh was lost in savoring the sweetness of her lips—the sweetness that was his alone.

Reluctantly, Vansh broke the kiss when Riddhima needed air, her breathing heavy. Seizing the moment, he placed soft kisses on her closed eyelids.

"Vansh," Riddhima exhaled, clutching his shirt tightly.

Hearing his name from her lips was music to Vansh's ears. Her adorable reactions spurred him to kiss her nose and ears.

As his lips traveled to her neck, Riddhima forgot all about her mood swings. All she wanted was Vansh's closeness.

He nuzzled into the crook of her neck, seeking his treasure. Riddhima's heartbeat quickened with each passing second.

A creaking door interrupted the couple, bringing them back to reality. Riddhima blushed deeply when she noticed Ajay and Uma standing at the doorway, Aryan smirking beside them. Embarrassment washed over her, and she couldn't meet their eyes.

Ajay and Uma, returning from their evening walk, were stunned to find the lovebirds caught in an intimate moment in the living room. Aryan, unable to resist teasing, stepped closer to the couple with a mischievous grin.

"How could you kiss in the living room when there are three kids in the house? Aren't you ashamed?" Aryan taunted, earning an exasperated look from Vansh.

Without a word, Vansh grabbed Aryan's ear and twisted it, eliciting a yelp. Riddhima giggled at the banter between the two cousins.

"Three kids?" Vansh asked, still holding Aryan's ear.

"Hansika, the baby in Riddhima's womb, and... me!" Aryan said with a sheepish grin.

"Don't call yourself a kid," Vansh retorted, releasing Aryan's ear.

"I am an innocent kid! Even Riddhima will agree," Aryan declared, making Riddhima nod with a grin.

"This so-called innocent kid was kissing an American girl in the office elevator," Vansh quipped, causing Riddhima to gasp in surprise.

"Aryan! Is that true?" Riddhima asked, wide-eyed.

"I think Hansika is calling me. I'll check the garden," Aryan mumbled, quickly fleeing the scene.

Vansh and Riddhima burst into laughter at Aryan's antics. However, Vansh's smile faded when his gaze shifted to Ajay and Uma. Despite living with them for four years, Vansh still found it hard to bond with his parents emotionally.

He addressed Ajay and Uma as "Sir" and "Madam" instead of calling them Dad and Mom. Riddhima was the bridge between Vansh and his parents, constantly working to mend their strained relationship.

Ajay and Uma also maintained a cautious distance. In the beginning, it had been challenging for Riddhima to navigate this dynamic, but she understood that only time could heal their wounds.

"Riddhima, stop eating junk food. I'll make you some fresh orange juice," Uma offered, collecting the empty bowl and chocolate wrapper from the table.

Ajay and Uma had agreed to live with Vansh for Riddhima's sake. They had been skeptical about Vansh's ability to treat Riddhima with love, given his history of arrogance and strained relationships. However, Vansh had surprised them by transforming into a devoted husband.

Sometimes, Ajay and Uma longed for Vansh's affection, but they understood that his wounds, like theirs, ran deep. Though Vansh maintained his distance, he always treated them with respect.

"I want ice cream, not juice," Riddhima suddenly cried, her voice trembling with emotion. Vansh sighed, prepared to handle her mood swings.

"Riddhima, our baby needs to stay healthy. Eating ice cream might cause a cold," Vansh said gently, caressing her belly.

"So you only care about the baby, not me? I'm not important to you! I hate you, Mr. Firestorm!" Riddhima exclaimed dramatically before storming off to the backyard.

Vansh let out a deep sigh, exchanging a brief but understanding glance with Ajay. They both walked to the garden, where Hansika was playing with Caesar, the family dog.

Aryan was throwing a frisbee, and Caesar eagerly fetched it back. Hansika reached out for the frisbee, but Aryan refused to give it to her, prompting her to cry. Riddhima rushed over, scolding Aryan and signaling him to hand the frisbee to Hansika. Riddhima could never bear to see the little girl cry.

"We're planning to adopt Hansika," Vansh suddenly announced, catching Ajay off guard.

"Vihaan will never agree to that," Ajay said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Vansh chuckled dryly.

Hansika Raisinghania was the child of Vihaan and Mystica. When Hansika was just three months old, Vihaan had left her with Ajay and Uma due to ongoing conflicts with Mystica. The couple had prioritized their mafia dealings over their child.

Since then, Riddhima and Uma had taken over the responsibility of raising Hansika, showering her with love and care.

"I'll speak to Vihaan," Vansh said confidently, just as Riddhima joined him, her expression soft yet determined.

"Are you talking about Hansika's adoption?" Riddhima asked curiously.

"Yes. Ajay Sir predicts that Vihaan will not agree," Vansh replied, noticing Riddhima's face pale.

"Vihaan is Hansika's father. What can I do?" Ajay countered.

"A father who abandoned his innocent child to save his pride in the mafia clan? How selfish is that?" Vansh accused, his tone laced with contempt.

"Mystica is also to blame, not just Vihaan," Ajay confessed, though Vansh shook his head in disagreement.

"Uncle, forget about adoption for now. At least talk to Vihaan. I'll try speaking to Mystica. Maybe we can bring them together again for Hansika's sake," Riddhima suggested as Uma approached, carrying a glass of orange juice for her.

"They married for lust, not love," Uma interjected, her voice heavy with emotion. "After Hansika was born, both became consumed by their mafia activities. They won't agree to the adoption. If Vihaan and Mystica come back for Hansika, it will be to claim her as a symbol of their mafia pride, not to give her the love she deserves."

A single tear escaped Uma's eyes as she watched Hansika playfully fighting with Aryan for the frisbee.

"Her antics remind me of Ishani and Sia when they were young," Ajay murmured, earning a reluctant smile from Uma.

"I'm glad Sia married Reyansh, and Ishani married Angre. At least those couples are happy now," Riddhima said, gazing fondly at Hansika.

Vansh's eyes flickered toward Ajay and Uma. Riddhima didn't know the full truth. Vansh, Ajay, and Uma had vowed to keep the truth hidden—that both marriages had been forced due to the chaos in the mafia world. Vansh could have intervened, but he chose not to return to India. Riddhima was his happiness, his everything, and he didn't want to jeopardize that.

Vansh admired his wife as she sipped the orange juice Uma had given her. He didn't know why he still felt so captivated by Riddhima, even after all these years of marriage.

Hansika toddled back, spreading her arms wide before Vansh. He lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

"Beat Uncle Aryan! He's stealing my frybee!" Hansika whined.

"It's not 'frybee'; it's 'frisbee,'" Aryan chuckled, earning a sharp glare from Vansh.

"Give it to her," Vansh ordered firmly.

"I won't," Aryan retorted, tossing the frisbee in the air and catching it again.

"Time to use the glass vase!" Vansh warned, making Aryan's face drain of color.

Riddhima smirked, recalling how Vansh had once broken a vase on Aryan's head years ago.

"No need!" Aryan stammered, hurriedly handing the frisbee to Hansika.

Hansika accepted it with a beaming smile, then leaped from Vansh's arms into Ajay's.

"Bro, did you tell Riddhima about the love proposal you got at the office?" Aryan teased, dropping a bombshell.

"What?" Riddhima gasped, her eyes widening in shock.

"Yes! Vansh Bro got a proposal. People at the office still think he's single," Aryan said with a mischievous wink at Vansh.

"I hate you!" Riddhima cried, storming off to the bedroom with tears brimming in her eyes.

Vansh glared at Aryan, who stifled a giggle. Vansh considered slapping him but decided that comforting his wife and handling her mood swings was far more important.

Vansh noticed Riddhima standing on the balcony when he entered the bedroom. He quietly approached her and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Do you hate me?" Vansh asked in his deep, husky voice.

"Vansh, would you ever consider accepting another girl's proposal?" Riddhima's voice trembled, revealing the possessiveness behind her earlier outburst.

"No. Why would you even ask such a question?" Vansh inquired, gently turning her to face him.

"My body is going through so many physical and emotional changes," Riddhima murmured, her eyes searching his.

"I understand," Vansh whispered soothingly.

"No, you don't understand," Riddhima protested, her voice quivering. "I'm gaining weight, my back aches, and I keep arguing with you over everything. How do you even tolerate me during this pregnancy? Have you ever thought of walking away from this marriage?" Tears brimmed in her eyes as she looked away.

Vansh cupped her face tenderly, his thumbs brushing away her tears. He could sense her insecurities—how she feared her weight gain and mood swings might push him away.

"I love you more now than I ever did during our courtship and dating days. To me, you are the most beautiful woman in the world," Vansh said, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Will you still love me after I gain even more weight, throw tantrums, and lose myself to exhaustion after childbirth?" Riddhima asked softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

"I've loved you since the moment I met you during the fire incident. And I'll love you until the day my soul leaves this world," Vansh replied. Riddhima raised a hand and pressed her index finger to his lips.

Vansh kissed her fingers, and a soft smile bloomed on Riddhima's face. "Thank you for coming into my life and marrying me," she whispered.

"Four years ago, my Waterstorm told me she didn't want to marry me," Vansh teased, brushing his nose against hers.

"That was Ms. Waterstorm. Now I'm Mrs. Firestorm," Riddhima declared with pride shining on her face.

Their attention shifted to the sound of Hansika giggling in the garden below. She was playing with her grandfather and uncle.

A tender smile spread across Vansh's face as he watched Hansika's joyful antics.

"Mr. Firestorm," Riddhima called, drawing his gaze back to her.

"I love you," she confessed, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

"I love you too," Vansh replied, tears of joy forming in the corners of his eyes. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her soft, rosy cheek.

Suddenly, Riddhima felt a flutter in her womb. She grabbed Vansh's hand and placed it on her belly.

"Our baby seems to be upset," Riddhima teased. "Maybe the baby's jealous you're showering all your love on me."

Vansh knelt down and kissed her belly gently. "Dad loves you," he whispered to their unborn child.

"What about me? Kisses for the baby but none for me?" Riddhima pouted adorably.

"I'm ready to kiss you day and night," Vansh murmured into her ear, pulling her closer.

Riddhima's cheeks turned crimson, and Vansh's gaze lingered on her lips. Unable to resist, he leaned in and captured her lips in a passionate kiss.

Their lips moved together, a silent promise of their undying love. Tangled in each other's arms, they vowed to stay "Tangled Hearts in Love" forever.

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