A few months later

SOFIA'S POV:

Once again... once again he left me to face it all alone. I'm nine months pregnant, carrying his child within me, and he left me. He promised me he would never leave me. Promised me he would be there, a shadow beside me, a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on.

Betrayal is a poison, he says. But what he did...? He gave me the poison. He betrayed me.

And the worst part? This time it's not just me.

I traced my hand over my swollen belly, a bittersweet smile gracing my lips.

"It's us, my love," I whispered, my voice thick with unshed tears.

I gently rubbed my belly. "Don't you worry, little one," I murmured.

I imagined a tiny hand reaching out from within, grasping for mine. "We'll find our own way, you and I. We'll build our own happiness, away from all this darkness."

A single tear escaped and rolled down my cheek. "Your father may have broken his promises, but I won't. I promise you, my love, I will always be there for you."

"And," I added, a mischievous glint in my eye, "we'll teach your father a lesson or two about keeping his promises."

I felt a flutter within, as if the baby was responding.

"Did you hear that, little one?" I whispered. "We're going to show him."

AUTHOR'S POV:

Just, when Sofia was talking to herself and her baby, the door creaked open. Ansh stood in the doorway, a broad smile illuminating his face.

"Surprise!" he exclaimed, his voice booming through the room. "I told you I'd be back sooner than expected."

Sofia, however, remained frozen, her hands clenched into fists, her gaze stubbornly averted. The smile on Ansh's face faltered, replaced by a flicker of concern. He had expected joy, a rush of relief, but instead, he found himself met with an icy silence.

He closed the distance between them, his footsteps soft on the plush carpet. "Amore?" he murmured, his voice laced with a gentle entreaty. "Look at me."

"Come on, Sofia," Ansh pleaded, his voice softening further. "It was just for an hour. It was an urgent business conference."

In these nine months, Ansh had been working from home for Sofia.Vikram and Vijay were handling his business while he took on the role of a devoted husband and soon-to-be father.

"So what?" Sofia finally retorted, her voice laced with bitterness. "Couldn't your father or your brother have handled it? Just for a few more days?"

Ansh sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Amore, they're already handling my most of the business. I didn't want to add more to their plates."

"You should have stayed," Sofia whispered, tears finally welling up in her eyes. "You promised."

Ansh knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. "I know, I know. I broke my promise. And I am truly sorry"

Sofia remained stubbornly silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. Ansh, undeterred, continued his advance. His fingers gently tracing the outline of her swollen belly.

"You know," he said, his voice a dangerous low growl, "I have other ways to make you talk." He leaned closer, his breath fanning against her ear. "But I wouldn't want to upset our little guest."

Sofia's eyes widened in surprise. She knew that tone, that glint in his eyes. It was the tone of a man who was losing his patience, a man who was about to unleash the beast within.

"Well, hello there, little one," he whispered, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down Sofia's spine. "Your mother seems to have forgotten how to smile."

He turned his attention to Sofia, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Don't worry, I brought you a gift."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small velvet box. Sofia's eyes narrowed. "A gift?" she questioned, her voice still laced with frost.

Ansh chuckled, a low, melodious sound that seemed to melt some of the ice in Sofia's heart, "Of course, my love," he replied, his voice dripping with mock innocence. "How could I forget? when I know how much you love surprises."

He opened the box, revealing a delicate silver necklace, a single, sparkling diamond pendant hanging from its chain. "A little something to celebrate our little one's arrival," he explained, his gaze lingering on her face.

Sofia's eyes softened, the anger within her slowly beginning to subside. She reached out a hesitant hand and took the necklace from him.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.

Ansh gently took the necklace from her and carefully fastened it around her neck. The cool metal against her skin sent a shiver down her spine.

He reached out and cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs gently stroking her cheeks. "Now come here," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

He gently pulled her into his embrace, his arms circling her waist. Sofia stiffened at first, but then slowly, reluctantly, she melted against him. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of her perfume.

"Don't you ever dare leave me again," she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.

Ansh tightened his embrace, "I won't," he promised, his voice firm and unwavering. "I won't ever leave you again."

Ansh and Sofia were lost in each other, the tension of the past few moments fading away. Sofia breathed in the scent of his cologne, a familiar comfort that soothed her frayed nerves.

Then, Sofia felt a strange sensation. Something was wet. "Ansh..." she murmured, pulling back slightly. "I... I think I peed."

She giggled, the sound light and airy, a stark contrast to the tension that had been hanging in the air just moments before.

Ansh, however, was staring at her dress, his eyes widening in realization. "Fuck," he breathed, his voice a low growl. "Your water broke"

Sofia's eyes widened in panic. "Ansh! Oh god, it hurts!" she cried, clutching his arms. A wave of intense pain washed over her, making her moan.

"It's okay, it's okay," he soothed, his voice trembling slightly as he tried to calm her.

Ansh was as panicked as her. He forced himself to remain calm, his voice steady as he spoke. "It's alright, amore. It's happening. Just breathe. Focus on your breathing."

He gently guided her towards the couch, his hands supporting her weight. He knew he needed to get her to the hospital, but the thought of leaving her side, even for a moment, filled him with dread.

Sofia whimpered, clutching his arms tighter. "I can't... I can't take this."

Ansh's heart clenched. He hated to see her suffer, to feel this helpless.

"Yes, you can," he said, his voice firm. "You're strong."

"Ma!" Ansh called out, his voice raw with urgency, "Please come here, fast!"

Mallika came rushing towards their room. The sight that greeted her sent a jolt of fear through her. Sofia was on the couch, in labour and ansh was kneeling before her, her hands clutching Ansh's arms.

"Oh god," Mallika gasped, rushing towards Sofia.

"Her water broke," Ansh said, his voice trembling slightly.

Mallika knelt beside Sofia, gently stroking her hair. "It's alright, darling" she soothed, her voice calm and reassuring. "Just breathe. You're doing great."

Sofia moaned, clutching Mallika's hand. "It hurts...it hurts so much."

"I know, I know," Mallika said, her voice soft. "But you're strong. You can do this." She turned to Ansh. "Is the pain too much?"

Sofia shook her head weakly. "Not much... but it still hurts like... hell."

Mallika smiled gently. "Good! We still have time."

But before she could say anything else, Sofia let out another ear-piercing cry, her body arching. Mallika's eyes widened.

"Ansh!" she exclaimed, her voice urgent. "Call the ambulance! Now!"

After hearing Sofia's cries, Naira, Kiara, and Alina also came rushing into the bedroom.

Sofia wanted all her family together during her child's birth.

Naira and Kiara, the baby's aunts, were going to be there no matter what. They were more excited than anyone for the delivery.

The rivalry between the Oberois and the Volkovs was over. The Oberois had accepted Kiara's and Alexander's relationship. They knew they loved each other deeply and that Alexander would never harm their daughter.