The morning sun filtered through the gauzy curtains of a cozy, sun-dappled home. The air was tinged with the comforting aroma of sizzling spices and warm toast. Mahi stood at the stove, carefully flipping parathas, her movements fluid and familiar. Just then, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her gently into a tender embrace. She felt the press of warm lips trailing soft, wet kisses along the nape of her neck.

“Ahh, Atharv…” she breathed, a soft moan escaping her lips, betraying her delight.

Smiling, Atharv turned her around, his eyes filled with quiet adoration. He leaned in, ready to capture her lips in a kiss—but before he could, a small, chirping voice broke the spell.

“Mumma! Papa!”

Startled, they sprang apart, laughter dancing in their eyes. Their five-year-old son, Advait, stood in the doorway, rubbing sleep from his eyes and clutching his soft plush elephant.

“He’s our little alarm clock,” Mahi muttered under her breath, playfully shoving her husband away. Atharv pouted dramatically, sulking like a scolded child.

“Mahi, ayer…!”

Her glare silenced him.

“Yes, baby,” she cooed, walking over to Advait and scooping him into her arms. The little boy nestled against her chest, his tiny frame still warm with sleep. He opened his eyes slowly and kissed her cheek.

“Good morning, Mumma,” he mumbled, his voice sweet and gravelly with sleep.

Atharv beamed and held out his arms. Advait stretched his own toward him, wordlessly asking to be held.

“Papa,” he whispered.

Mahi handed the boy to his father. Atharv kissed both his chubby cheeks, inhaling the scent of baby shampoo and dreams.

“Good morning, champ. Did you sleep well?” he asked, ruffling Advait’s hair.

“Yes, Papa. I sleep very well,” the boy replied with a sleepy nod.

Mahi returned to the stove, but her ears stayed tuned to the exchange behind her. The gentle murmur of father and son made her heart bloom with quiet happiness. She loved how Atharv answered each of Advait’s endless questions with patience and wonder, never brushing him off.

“Adu, did you brush your teeth?” she asked, placing plates on the dining table.

Advait looked up at her, wide-eyed, and quickly hid his face in Atharv’s chest. Atharv chuckled and hugged him tightly.

“Adu, how many times have I told you to brush your teeth first thing in the morning? Don’t you know, if you don’t, a sneaky rat might come and take your teeth away!”

Advait pulled back, his eyes filled with innocent curiosity.

“But Papa, rats already have teeth. Why would they want mine?”

Atharv bit back a laugh. “That’s a very good question, little detective…”

But before he could answer, Mahi interrupted with a mock-stern look. “Atharv, go brush—both of you. Breakfast is almost ready.”

With a wink and a groan, Atharv stood up. “Let’s go, Adu. Today, Papa will help you brush like a big boy.”

Advait squealed with delight and jumped into his father's arms. Mahi watched the two of them with a chuckle, the image etching itself into her memory like a photograph.

After a few playful minutes, Atharv returned, freshly dressed in a crisp suit, hair slicked back, his presence radiating quiet strength. He approached Mahi, who was now wiping down the counter.

“Adu is ready,” he said softly.

Mahi turned, catching the glint in his eye. Placing her palm on his chest, she whispered with a smirk, “Adu, close your eyes. Papa’s going to kiss Mumma.”

Atharv raised an eyebrow in amused surprise. Advait giggled and obediently covered his eyes, peeking between his fingers.

Seizing the moment, Atharv leaned in, brushing his lips over Mahi’s in a gentle, lingering kiss that spoke volumes—love, gratitude, desire. Mahi smiled against his lips, her fingers brushing against the lapel of his jacket.

Pulling away, he whispered, “Bye, take care… love.”

“You too,” she replied, pressing a warm lunchbox into his hands.

“You’re sweating already,” she added, her brows knitting with concern. “Are you sure you want to wear that suit? It’s going to be hot today.”

He gave her a tired smile. “I have to, love. My boss would go ballistic otherwise.”

She sighed, her eyes softening. “I hate seeing you like this. You work so hard…”

From the living room, a tiny voice rang out. “Papa, Mumma! Are you done?!”

Atharv laughed, striding over to his son. “Yes, baby. You can open your eyes now.”

Mahi facepalmed playfully. “What will this boy grow up to be like with a father like you?”

“I hope… someone who loves with all his heart,” she murmured under her breath.

Atharv lifted Advait into his arms, holding him close for one last hug.

“Be good, okay? I’ll be back soon.”

Mahi watched them from a distance, her heart swelling. “Have a good day at work, love.”

“Always,” Atharv replied with a wink, stepping out the door into the sweltering city.

The panoramic skyline of the city glinted through the towering windows of Khurana Industries. The 32nd floor buzzed with energy. In the boardroom, Atharv sat at the head of the table, exuding authority in his tailored navy suit. The conference room was immaculate—polished oak, chrome accents, and a massive screen glowing with graphs and figures.

Around him sat a cadre of executives and shareholders, their eyes fixed on the man who had transformed the company into a corporate giant.

Mr. Patel stood to speak. “Sir, the quarterly profits have more than doubled. The strategies you’ve introduced have not only stabilized the company, they’ve elevated us.”

There was a beat of silence before a murmur of approval rippled through the room.

Mr. Shah, one of the senior shareholders, leaned forward. “Atharv, this kind of growth is extraordinary. You’ve changed the game.”

Atharv responded with a composed smile. “This is a collective victory. But we’re just getting started. Complacency is our real competitor.”

His voice was calm, commanding. It resonated.

Ms. Kapoor, head of the tech division, chimed in. “Our AI integration model has outperformed forecasts. We’re now leaders in the sector.”

Atharv nodded. “Technology is the key to our future. I want every department to think ten steps ahead.”

As the discussion continued—renewable energy ventures, global expansion, innovation pipelines—Atharv remained razor-focused. And yet, a quiet thought tugged at the edges of his mind.

His phone vibrated. Discreetly, he checked it.
A message from Mahi:
“Advait says he’s missing you. Come home soon.”

A soft smile touched his lips.

For a moment, the numbers, graphs, and growth projections faded into the background. In their place were the warm faces of his wife and son. The heartbeat of his world.

But only for a moment.

Straightening his posture, Atharv turned back to the room. “Let’s keep moving forward. The empire we’re building depends on it.”

And as the meeting carried on, his mind straddled two worlds—the empire he ruled by day, and the kingdom of love he returned to by night.

Sneak peek- Chapter 2

“Athrav... what is this?” she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.

He clasped her hand in his. “It’s your dream, Mahi. It’s time.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “But I dropped out to support you, to work so you could study...”

Athrav gently cupped her face, wiping her tears with his thumbs.

“And now, it’s my turn. Go back to college, Mahi. Become the woman you were always meant to be.”