The first light of dawn slipped into the suite, painting everything in soft gold. Aanya stirred awake, the dull ache in her ankle now sharp. She bit her lip as she swung her legs down, careful not to wake Raghav or Akira. They were both still lost in deep sleep—Akira curled against her father’s chest, his arm protectively around her.

Aanya quietly moved out of the bedroom, every step sending a sting through her left ankle. Reaching the sitting area, she lowered herself onto the sofa, stretching her leg out with a faint wince. The pain was real now—no longer something she could ignore.

Her mind swirled. How will I manage today’s business party like this? And tomorrow… it’s Akira’s first birthday. How will I stand, how will I smile?

But more than the pain, her chest ached with the memory of yesterday evening—Raghav taking Akira from her arms when she was trying to calm her, leaving her feeling unwanted, unfit. The thought pressed heavy on her heart until tears slipped down silently.

Back in the bedroom, Raghav stirred. His hand reached out instinctively for Aanya, but the space beside him was cold and empty. Frowning, he glanced at the washroom—empty. Stepping out, his eyes fell on her small frame sitting on the sofa, shoulders shaking faintly.

“Aanya…” he called softly as he walked closer. But before his words reached her, the quiet sound of her sobbing did. His chest tightened instantly.

He approached slowly, lowering his hand gently to her shoulder. She flinched, then turned her head. Her tear-filled eyes met his. His heart sank.

“What happened? Why are you crying?” his voice was urgent, low, almost pleading.

She quickly shook her head, denying it, trying to stand. But the moment her foot pressed down, a sharp cry of pain escaped her lips. She collapsed back onto the sofa with a thud, clutching her ankle.

“Aanya!” Raghav dropped down to kneel in front of her, his hands reaching for her leg. “What happened?” His tone softened immediately, but it carried a tremor of worry.

Fresh tears brimmed in her eyes as she whispered, “My ankle… it’s paining.”

“When?” he asked, carefully examining her foot.

She hesitated, then admitted, “Yesterday… when Akira jumped towards me. I caught her, but my leg twisted. I thought it was nothing, so I ignored it.”

Raghav’s head snapped up, eyes sharp with disbelief. “Ignored it? Aanya—how could you ignore something like this?”

She wiped at her cheeks, her voice breaking. “We were already late for dinner. I didn’t want to create more fuss.”

His jaw clenched, but his voice cracked with emotion. “That damn dinner was not more important than you. "

For a moment, silence hung between them—his words raw, her tears unsteady.

Raghav wasted no time—he called the reception and asked them to send a doctor immediately. Turning back to her, his tone left no space for argument.

“Don’t move from this sofa, Aanya. Sit here.”

She nodded faintly, watching him disappear into the room, only to return moments later with an ice pack in hand. Without a word, he knelt and pressed it gently against her swollen ankle.

“Raghav, I can manage… give it to me,” she whispered, reaching for the pack.

He lifted his eyes to her, a sharp glare silencing her protest. “Be quiet.”

Just then, the doorbell rang. Raghav opened it, revealing a hotel boy with a doctor. The elderly man entered, examining Aanya’s leg carefully.

“It’s only a sprain,” the doctor assured. “No fracture, but she must rest today. I’ll prescribe painkillers, a spray, and a balm. Apply them, and she will be fine in a day or two.”

Aanya exhaled in relief as the doctor left. But the next moment, her eyes widened—Raghav sat down again, balm in hand, and took her foot onto his lap.

“Raghav… no, I’ll do it,” she said hurriedly, her face warm with discomfort. “Please don’t… how can you touch my feet?”

His hands stilled only for a second before he looked up at her, calm but firm.

“I don’t believe in all that. And more than that—” his voice softened, “—you’re not a stranger, Aanya. You’re my wife.”

The word slipped out so naturally, but it struck her like a wave. Wife. Her breath caught. Her mind immediately flew back to his words before marriage— “You’ll be a mother to Akira, not my wife.”

Her chest tightened, eyes blurring with sudden tears.

Seeing them, Raghav frowned in worry. “Is it hurting too much?” he asked gently.

She shook her head quickly, unable to answer.

Without pressing, he finished applying the balm and stood. “You’ll be more comfortable in bed. Come.”

She tried to rise, but the instant she put weight on her foot, he shook his head. Before she could resist, he bent down and scooped her effortlessly into his arms.

“Raghav!” she gasped, clutching his shoulder. “Put me down, I’m heavy—”

He gave a small laugh. “You’re not even half the weight of what I lift in the gym. And what’s the point of all that training if I can’t even carry my wife and daughter?”

Her cheeks burned crimson at his words, her heart skipping. Something about him felt different today—gentler, warmer. She didn’t know what had changed.

He carried her into the bedroom and laid her gently on the bed, right beside Akira who was still sleeping soundly. Then, without waiting for her to argue, he disappeared into the kitchenette.

A few minutes later, he returned with a tray—coffee, neatly cut fruits, and a glass of water. Setting it down, he offered her a small smile.

“You can’t take medicine on an empty stomach,” he said, handing her the plate.

She blinked at him, overwhelmed, but obeyed quietly. After she ate, he gave her the tablet and tucked the blanket around her.

“Now sleep,” he said firmly.

“But Akira… she’ll wake up soon,” she protested weakly.

He shook his head. “Don’t worry. I’ll manage.”

And for the first time in a long while, Aanya allowed herself to close her eyes, drifting into sleep with a strange comfort blooming in her chest.

Some time later, Akira stirred awake. Before she could make a sound and disturb Aanya’s sleep, Raghav gently scooped her up and carried her out into the hall.

He bathed her himself, clumsily yet carefully, earning soft giggles from the little one. Afterward, he ordered breakfast for both of them, feeding Akira patiently as she sat on his lap.

But soon, Akira’s dark eyes turned toward the bedroom door. She leaned forward, as if asking her father to take her back inside.

Raghav smiled faintly, brushing her tiny hair. “Mama isn’t well today, princess. She needs rest. So you and I… we’ll spend time together, hmm?”

Of course, she didn’t understand his words, but she gifted him a wide, toothless grin that melted his heart. Shaking his head, he kissed her forehead and carried her downstairs to the hotel’s garden.

There, Akira toddled around on the soft grass, squealing at the sight of flowers and butterflies, while Raghav followed close behind, keeping her safe. For a while, the two of them lived in their little bubble—father and daughter, laughter echoing under the soft Italian morning sun.

When they returned upstairs, Aanya had just woken up. Her hair was still tousled from sleep, her eyes heavy, but they lit up the moment Akira squealed in delight, wriggling in Raghav’s arms to get down.

He placed her gently on the bed, and Akira immediately crawled on her knees to reach her mother. Aanya scooped her up, settling her lovingly into her lap.

Raghav came closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling now?” he asked softly.

“Much better than in the morning,” Aanya replied honestly.

He let out a sigh of relief. “You should’ve told me yesterday itself, Aanya. At least I would’ve taken care of it sooner.”

She shook her head, brushing Akira’s soft hair. “At that time, I thought it was nothing. It didn’t even hurt then.”

Raghav nodded, though his eyes revealed a hint of guilt. For a moment, only Akira’s playful giggles filled the silence as she tugged on her mother’s fingers.

Then, clearing his throat, Raghav spoke. “I’m sorry.”

Aanya looked up, surprised. “Sorry? For what?”

He hesitated a second before answering. “For yesterday. When Akira was crying and I… took her away from you. It wasn’t fair. Everything was a mess in my head, with work and pressure, and I—”

Aanya stopped him with a small shake of her head. “It’s okay. I understand.”

He searched her eyes for a moment, then gave a faint nod. “Still… if the pain is too much today, don’t push yourself. You can stay back in the room during the party. It’s not a problem.”

She smiled gently. “No, really… it’s already much less compared to morning. By evening, it’ll be fine. I can manage.”

Raghav studied her for a moment, then finally nodded.

Akira, oblivious to their exchange, was busy clapping her tiny hands against Aanya’s palm, giggling as if sealing the unspoken peace between her parents.