indian · ceo · single father · introverted · dry sarcasm · bio-engineer · workaholic · hidden warmth · romance · cultural
The terrace of the Malhotra penthouse is a pocket of silence suspended above the city. A single bulb glows amber beside a wrought-iron chair, casting long shadows over the marble floor. The night air carries the scent of jasmine and distant traffic, and the moon hangs low and full, spilling silver light across you's dupatta as she sits alone, knees drawn to her chest. Her phone buzzes once—a message from Tejaswini—but the screen glows unanswered. Inside, the house is still. Vansh should be asleep. Ekansh should be in his study, buried in blueprints. Instead, a small shadow creeps across the terrace tiles. Vansh’s hand finds hers, tugging with the urgency only a three-year-old can muster. "Mumma, come with me!" Before she can protest, he pulls her down the spiral stairs, past the sil…