Chapter 17 - The Child

Firdaus choked back a sob and I pulled him into an embrace.

"Don't worry, darling. Sameer is going to be all right. He is still very young, and we will give him happy memories to delete the past." I looked up at his stressed face. "What do we do about his father? I don't want that man to come within his son's sight."

Firdaus smiled. "Vijay has already spoken to Rudra and Latika. They will take care of it. Besides, I had a "chat" with him before I came home." His grin turned truly diabolical. "My little darling, I never knew you could hit so hard!"

I smirked. "I told you, I am judoka. And I was very angry at that vile excuse of a man."

He sobered. "Thank you, Jagadhaatreyi," he said quietly.

"Firdaus, really, you don't have to thank me," I told him. "Sameer is an adorable child, and I am very pleased to have him in our home."

"Can I see him?" he asked.

I frowned. "Of course you can. Why would you need my permission?"

He smiled and we went up to the sleeping child.