Love In The In-Between

Love isn't just kisses and flowers. Sometimes, it's a shield. And today, I became his."

Author's POV

The Rajvanshi Mansion was never silent, not truly. But today, it was suffocating.

Simar stood in the vast living room, heart pounding in her chest as she clutched Rian closer to her. His little arms were wound tightly around her neck, his face buried in the crook of her shoulder. He was trembling.

Across the room stood Alia.

The woman who had disappeared from Reyansh's life two years ago. The woman who had once held the title of "wife" but never fulfilled the role. The woman who had tried to harm Rian when he was barely two months old. The woman who dared to call herself Rian's mother.

Alia's eyes sparkled with feigned innocence, her smile wide as she reached out. "My baby," she cooed sweetly, inching closer. "Come to mummy. I've missed you so much."

Rian whimpered and clung tighter to Simar, clearly disturbed by the unfamiliar presence. Simar's hold on him only tightened.

Simar's voice was calm but firm. "He doesn't want to go to you. Please step back."

Alia blinked. "Excuse me? I'm his mother."

"Biological, maybe," Simar replied, her tone sharpening. "But a mother is more than a title. You lost that right the moment you chose your greed over him."

Alia's smile faltered.

Just then, the room's silence cracked with the sound of footsteps on the staircase.

Reyansh.

His presence was thunderous, even though he said nothing at first. His eyes were dark, jaw clenched. The sight of Alia near Rian was enough to send waves of rage through him. But it was Rian's terrified face that shattered him.

"Step away from them," he commanded, voice steely.

Alia straightened. "Rey, I know you're angry, but he's our child. I have a right-"

"Don't you dare call me that," he snapped.

Rian immediately turned and reached his hands out. "Papa!"

Reyansh rushed forward, picking him up and cradling him close. The child clung to his father's neck, eyes wide with unshed tears.

Reyansh kissed Rian's forehead. "It's okay, baby. Papa's here."

Turning back to Alia, his expression turned darker. "You don't get to just show up and play mother. You tried to kill him."

Alia gasped. "That's not true! You misunderstood everything. I was scared, confused-"

"You left him alone in the cold. At two months old. For what? A weekend getaway with your rich boyfriend?"

Everyone in the room went silent. Ahana looked away, her heart heavy with the memories. Vikram stood there , hands clenched into fists.

Alia's lips quivered. "Reyansh, I made a mistake. But I want to make it right. Please. Let me be part of Rian's life."

Simar couldn't stay silent anymore.

"You want to make it right now? After two years of silence? You didn't even care enough to check if he survived the fever that nearly killed him."

Alia turned to her. "You're just his stepmother. This doesn't concern you."

Simar stepped forward, standing tall.

"I am his mother. I kissed his bruised knees, held him through nightmares, fed him when he refused to eat. I was there for every tiny step, every new word. Don't you dare minimize that."