A week flew by and Sahil was still trying to find ways to repent for his mistake. Of course he tried but it wasn't all those mushy, romantic things like sending flowers or giving cards.

Nope. He just wasn't going to do that.

Instead he tried to spend time with her and Ayaansh, getting to know what she likes, dislikes and from what he gathered, he knew she definitely hates it when he tries to ask her if she needs his help.

This one time he asked her, if she needed any help in rearranging Ayaansh's toys, she gave him a sharp look at first before smiling sweetly.

Honestly, he would've preferred her glare over her smile because that smile was more deadly.

"Of course. I need your help." She said in an extra sweet voice and he eyed her warily.

"I need you to stay away from me." The spitfire she was, he knew it wasn't going to be an easy task getting her to forgive him.

Thankfully, she hadn't brought up the topic of divorce again and it somewhat relieved him but that didn't mean he was fully relaxed. Srishti was unpredictable and Sahil was always alarmed whenever she looked deep in thoughts.

His only option to distract her from her thoughts was Ayaansh.

Ayaansh was another copy of his mother. A mini version.

He enjoyed his mother's company more than his father's and that was somehow offensive for Mr. Malhotra. He would try to take Ayaansh from Srishti or lure him with toys but the stubborn kid would ignore him with his mother around.

Srishti looked smug about it and kept rubbing it in his face at every chance.

Not to forget, he was now sleeping in his room all alone, again. And for some reason, he never had a peaceful sleep since the two left the room. Tossing and turning around all night, had become his new pass time.

Once, just once, he took Ayaansh with him in his room when he was asleep and Srishti only shrugged because she knew how that was going to end.

Not a minute later, he put Ayaansh on the bed, he woke up and frowned looking around. Sahil then realised he was an awkward person when it came to distract kids.

He ended up bringing Ayaansh back to his mother, who smirked at him causing him to grumble under his breath.

"Srishti, I need to ask you about something." Sahil saw her busy in the kitchen but he had to have talk with her. This was important.

"What?" She simply asked continuing her work and never looking at him.

He sighed. "It's about the media."

That caught her attention and she stopped. Turning around she looked at him with fear in her eyes.

"What? Do they know about Ayaansh and I?" She desperately wanted the answer to be no because it was going to be a lot more complicated if they found out.

"Not yet. But they are surely suspicious." He revealed and she nibbled on her lower lip with a worried look on her face.

Sahil observed her before he spoke, "Let's talk about this in the room."

Srishti nodded and followed him behind quietly. Once they reached inside, Sahil found Ayaansh sleeping in the crib which surprised him.

"He slept early?"

"He was waiting for you." Srishti smiled remembering how he kept babbling 'Dadda' the whole time but couldn't fight the sleep and ended up falling asleep.

Sahil smiled as well staring at his son before he turned his attention back on Srishti. He contemplated on making his next move but then throwing all those complicated thoughts out of the window, he grabbed her hand.

She looked at him surprised but he avoided looking at her and pulled her out, leading them towards the terrace. Once they reached, he immediately left her hand and she hid her smile seeing him being so uncomfortable.

"I'm thinking of announcing about our marriage infront of the media." Sahil blurted out and Srishti stiffened.

"What? No! I don't want anyone to know about Ayaansh, Sahil. I don't want those people loitering around and invading my privacy every time I step out. Just no." She hated attention even though she somewhere knew that being with a famous businessman was going to bring media's attention.

"Srishti listen, I know you don't like it but it would be better to announce it myself then letting them find out on their own. Trust me, if that happens, things are going to take an ugly turn." He explained and she knew he was right but it still didn't settle well with her.

Just the thought of not being able to step out and wander around freely made her heart sink. And what about Ayaansh? He was just one and won't be able to live a normal life without the media trying to snoop on everything little thing he does.

Her thoughts were making her insane and Sahil knew she was thinking a lot, so he held her by her shoulders and turned her towards him.

"Stop thinking too much, Srishti. I know this is not what you want and if you really don't want to come out, I'll take care of it." He assured and her eyes softened. She sighed closing her eyes and just when he took his hands back, she spoke, "Why are you being so nice to me, Sahil?"

He tensed at her question as she opened her eyes and stared at him. His face was blank as he faced her and she knew he had no answer.

Just as she started to leave, he pulled her to him, holding her hand and she gasped. His hand travelled up her arm, her neck, making her breath hitch.

"You really think I'm a heartless person, don't you?" He chuckled and it was anything but happy. She found her face being lifted until she was staring straight in his vulnerable eyes.

"I am a changed man, Srishti and even if you don't want to see it, I will keep making you see exactly that." He whispered as his thumb caressed her cheeks making her breath falter.

Her lips parted unconsciously and his eyes landed on them.

"One chance. One chance is all I ask for." He breathed out and Srishti closed her eyes as he rested his forehead on hers.

"I'm scared." She whispered, her voice shaking and he held her close. Sahil moved back just a bit to look at her face.

"I'm scared of trusting you again, Sahil." She opened her eyes and the tears shining in her eyes were enough for him to release his hold on her.

"I get it." He nodded stiffly and moved back but this only caused her to cry more.

"No, you don't." She yelled. "We were never meant to be together, Sahil. This relationship was formed on a contract. You and I, never planned for a child. We had him because you needed him for your property and I─I only agreed because I was desperate for help." She never wanted to say these hurtful words, yet they were true.

Sahil stood there with a hard face but said nothing. She was crying but he couldn't move a muscle to go and comfort her.

"I should've just walked away after Ayaansh was born." Srishti choked a sob and that was the last straw for him.

He clenched his jaw and jerked her towards him by her waist. She tried to get out of his grip but didn't have enough energy left.

"Enough. I know mistakes were made in the past, Srishti but that doesn't mean I would repeat them. Yes, we came together because of a contract. Yes, we had Ayaansh because I needed him. But that nowhere concludes that we can't be together. Do you get it?" He snapped harshly and she only felt her tears flowing.

"Srishti, we didn't abandon Ayaansh nor did we treat him like an object. You and I are performing our duties as his parents." He gritted out and she tried hard to stop herself from crying.

"Yes, I made a mistake. I lied to you, broke your trust, but I'm trying here. I am not running away nor denying these feelings towards you." His voice turned soft as he gazed down at her and lovingly wiped her tears.

"So please, don't try to control your feelings because I'm not going to hurt you again." She looked up and there was this raw pain in his eyes as he stared at her.

"It's fine, if you don't believe me but at least let me be there. That's all I ask for." He pleaded and closed his eyes, feeling tired all of a sudden.

Truth is, he didn't want to see the rejection in her eyes.

Srishti reached up and rested her palm on his cheek making him sigh and lean more towards it. He held her hand and opened his eyes making her heart thud.

"I really don't want to regret this, Sahil." She whispered and hope bloomed in his eyes.

"You won't." He whispered back, gripping her hand more tightly.

────────

Aditya squinted his eyes at the little guy infront of him. He then glared at the woman who was now laughing at him.

"For the last time, she is not yours." Aditya warned trying to look intimidating but the boy only rolled his eyes.

"You are no match for her. How did she even end up with you?" That little brat. Aditya fumed as Zevah laughed loudly and the boy grinned at her.

They were at a park as Aditya wanted to spend some time with her but it went down the drain as this little guy came out of nowhere and started claiming his woman.

He pulled her to him in one swift move, shocking her as he smirked at the boy who glared at him. He tried to reach out to Zevah but Aditya blocked him until he huffed and started crying loudly.

Aditya's eyes widened in panic while Zevah pushed him and hugged the boy. His mouth then hung open when he smirked at him.

That little fu─

"Zevah!" Aditya yelled, startling her as she gave him a puzzled look.

"We're leaving." He announced glaring at the boy who narrowed his eyes at him in return.

"What's your name?" Zevah asked the boy, ignoring Aditya who felt like crying. No one listened to him.

"Rishabh." He grinned at her and she pinched her cheeks.

"So Rishabh, where are your parents? Why are you roaming alone?" She raised her eyebrows and he shrugged.

"I came with my brother, he must be somewhere around, busy reading." Rishabh looked around to locate his brother and smiled when he spotted him walking towards them.

"Rishabh, I told you to stay close." The man said on a stern voice before his eyes landed on Aditya and Zevah.

"Sorry, I hope he didn't cause you any trouble." The man apologised and Aditya jumped right then.

"Not any, he caused me a lot of ─Ow! What?" He hissed when Zevah slapped his arm to shut him up. She gave a fake smile to the man before glaring at Aditya who made a bad face.

"I'm Siddharth, by the way." The man offered his hand and Aditya shook it unwantedly mumbling his name in return.

"Sid, isn't she beautiful? I wish she would've been with you." Rishabh jumped excitedly pointing at Zevah and the three adults tensed at his words.

Siddharth shuffled awkwardly whereas Aditya looked close to having a mental breakdown. Zevah didn't know what to say so she held Aditya's hand and moved closer to him.

"It was nice meeting you, but I think we should get going." She said hurriedly pulling Aditya away from there ignoring Rishabh's whining behind her.

"But why? I like her."

"Shut up, Rish. That was rude of you. Let's go now." Siddharth pulled his brother away and Aditya turned around before yelling,

"Not rude, very rude."

────────

"What's wrong with him?" Srishti questioned pointing at Aditya who wore a gloomy look. He refused to talk to anyone and only stayed by Ayaansh's side.

"He's behaving like a kid." Zevah rolled her eyes and Aditya glared at her.

"Like? He is an immature kid. Why did you even marry him?" Sahil joined in and Aditya was this close to beat the shit out of him.

"I don't know. He might have threatened me." Zevah played along surprising Srishti because she thought they didn't get along.

"That's it." Aditya yelled as he sprang up, startling Ayaansh yet again.

His lower lip wobbled as he stared at his mother before he let out a cry. Sahil gave a murderous look to Aditya who panicked and picked Ayaansh in his arms, trying to calm him down.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I won't scare you again. Please stop crying. Look I know your father has a problem with me but please don't make him murder me. I swear I will be the best uncle and help you get a girlfriend." Aditya kept rambling and Ayaansh stopped crying staring at him with tears in his eyes.

Sahil, Srishti and Zevah gaped at the duo in astonishment.

"He wants a girlfriend. Ayaansh, you're such a naughty boy." Aditya grinned tickling him and he giggled making others laugh at the scene as well.

Srishti looked at Sahil and found his eyes on her already making her blush but she quickly composed herself. Sahil chuckled seeing that and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Too much sexual tension. We have a kid in this room." Aditya yelled, this time covering Ayaansh's ears.

Srishti flushed and Sahil rolled his eyes. Zevah chuckled causing Srishti to glare at her.

A phone call disturbed their session as Sahil moved to take the call. Srishti noticed as he tensed and his jaw clenched, she knew something was wrong.

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