Yesterday, 06:23 PM
Chapter 161 - Visible Shift.
Jay stood there, cradling the tiny baby girl against his chest. A similar wave of fierce protectiveness washed over him. He glanced around — Sharmi watching them quietly, Tharun staring at the baby with unreadable eyes. Jay instinctively adjusted his daughter so she nestled deeper into his chest, shielding her from the world.
My little cutie, he thought, your dad isn’t sharing you with anyone.
If Nikkitha ever tried to move away, he would chase her. He would do whatever it took to keep both of them in his life. He had stayed silent about his love for too long. From now on, he would be vocal — about his love for her, and for their daughter. Blood or no blood, he would raise her with his values, his discipline, and his endless care. He would claim her through love and affection.
He gently handed the baby to the nurse and stepped out of the room with Sharmi.
“I won’t give up,” he told her seriously. “I want to prove to the world that this baby is mine. Make the DNA report say exactly that.”
Sharmi nodded. “I’ll handle it.”
Once they brought Nikkitha and the baby home, something beautiful yet fragile shifted inside her.
She slowly began opening up to Jay in ways she had never allowed herself before. The walls she had carefully built started to crumble. She became more affectionate, finding every little excuse to stay close to him. She would complain about her aching back just so Jay would sit behind her and massage her shoulders with his strong, gentle hands. She would tear up over small discomforts — a headache, tiredness, or even a random wave of emotion — and then melt completely into his warm embrace.
She was clumsy at expressing her love. The words still felt heavy on her tongue, but she tried in her own way — through lingering touches, soft smiles, and the way she would quietly seek him out. Deep down, she was torn between heavy guilt for dragging Jay back into her messy, complicated life and the growing, undeniable realization that she truly needed him. That she loved him.
Jay was there for every single moment. Patient. Steady. Unshakable. Whether it was waking up to feed the baby at night so she could rest, cooking her favorite meals, or simply holding her when the weight of everything felt too much — he never wavered.
Tharun continued visiting every few weeks. He always came bearing gifts — soft new clothes, toys, or anything he thought the baby might need. He was trying his best to be present in his own way.
But every time he walked through the door, Nikkitha felt a heavy blanket of guilt settle over her heart. She still didn’t know whose baby it really was. Every time she called the little girl by the name Jay had chosen, she felt like she was betraying Tharun. The lies, the secrets, and the constant balancing act weighed heavily on her conscience.
Jay, ever respectful, would always quietly give them space whenever Tharun came over. He would step out to the balcony or go into another room. But Nikkitha hated it. She hated the distance it created, and she hated how it made her feel — like she was doing something wrong in her own home.
One day, after Tharun left, she made up her mind.
The next time he visited, she pulled him aside and spoke gently but firmly:
“Please don’t come to the house anymore, Tharun. Jay is here… it doesn’t feel right.” She paused, her voice softening with guilt. “I know you need me. But i remember my promises. I’ll come to you when I can.”
Tharun looked heartbroken but nodded in understanding. Before leaving, they shared one quick, bittersweet kiss — full of unspoken pain, lingering love, and quiet resignation.
As Nikkitha closed the door behind him, she leaned against it for a long moment, eyes closed, feeling the weight of her complicated heart.
Jay stood there, cradling the tiny baby girl against his chest. A similar wave of fierce protectiveness washed over him. He glanced around — Sharmi watching them quietly, Tharun staring at the baby with unreadable eyes. Jay instinctively adjusted his daughter so she nestled deeper into his chest, shielding her from the world.
My little cutie, he thought, your dad isn’t sharing you with anyone.
If Nikkitha ever tried to move away, he would chase her. He would do whatever it took to keep both of them in his life. He had stayed silent about his love for too long. From now on, he would be vocal — about his love for her, and for their daughter. Blood or no blood, he would raise her with his values, his discipline, and his endless care. He would claim her through love and affection.
He gently handed the baby to the nurse and stepped out of the room with Sharmi.
“I won’t give up,” he told her seriously. “I want to prove to the world that this baby is mine. Make the DNA report say exactly that.”
Sharmi nodded. “I’ll handle it.”
Once they brought Nikkitha and the baby home, something beautiful yet fragile shifted inside her.
She slowly began opening up to Jay in ways she had never allowed herself before. The walls she had carefully built started to crumble. She became more affectionate, finding every little excuse to stay close to him. She would complain about her aching back just so Jay would sit behind her and massage her shoulders with his strong, gentle hands. She would tear up over small discomforts — a headache, tiredness, or even a random wave of emotion — and then melt completely into his warm embrace.
She was clumsy at expressing her love. The words still felt heavy on her tongue, but she tried in her own way — through lingering touches, soft smiles, and the way she would quietly seek him out. Deep down, she was torn between heavy guilt for dragging Jay back into her messy, complicated life and the growing, undeniable realization that she truly needed him. That she loved him.
Jay was there for every single moment. Patient. Steady. Unshakable. Whether it was waking up to feed the baby at night so she could rest, cooking her favorite meals, or simply holding her when the weight of everything felt too much — he never wavered.
Tharun continued visiting every few weeks. He always came bearing gifts — soft new clothes, toys, or anything he thought the baby might need. He was trying his best to be present in his own way.
But every time he walked through the door, Nikkitha felt a heavy blanket of guilt settle over her heart. She still didn’t know whose baby it really was. Every time she called the little girl by the name Jay had chosen, she felt like she was betraying Tharun. The lies, the secrets, and the constant balancing act weighed heavily on her conscience.
Jay, ever respectful, would always quietly give them space whenever Tharun came over. He would step out to the balcony or go into another room. But Nikkitha hated it. She hated the distance it created, and she hated how it made her feel — like she was doing something wrong in her own home.
One day, after Tharun left, she made up her mind.
The next time he visited, she pulled him aside and spoke gently but firmly:
“Please don’t come to the house anymore, Tharun. Jay is here… it doesn’t feel right.” She paused, her voice softening with guilt. “I know you need me. But i remember my promises. I’ll come to you when I can.”
Tharun looked heartbroken but nodded in understanding. Before leaving, they shared one quick, bittersweet kiss — full of unspoken pain, lingering love, and quiet resignation.
As Nikkitha closed the door behind him, she leaned against it for a long moment, eyes closed, feeling the weight of her complicated heart.
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