The next morning...

Ira walked out of the conference room after finishing another exhausting meeting with investors.

"Ma'am," the senior manager quickly followed behind her holding several files. "You asked about appointing a personal secretary for your schedule and meetings..."

Ira nodded while continuing to walk toward her office.

"Yes. I can't handle both administrative work and company supervision alone anymore."

The manager immediately opened one file.

"We are still searching externally, but finding someone trustworthy this quickly is difficult."

Ira stopped near her office door.

"Then appoint someone internally for now."

"Yes ma'am."

The manager flipped through a few employee profiles carefully.

"There are a few capable employees whose performance has been consistently excellent."

Ira quietly sat behind the desk while listening.

"Who?"

The manager started reading from the file.

"Raghav Sinha from operations... Aman Gupta from administration..."

He paused briefly before continuing-

"And Puneet Mehra."

Ira looked up slightly.

"Puneet?"

"Yes ma'am."

The manager placed another performance file before her.

"His performance has been the best for the last two years. Excellent management skills, punctual, professional, and highly efficient during high-pressure situations."

Ira silently opened the file.

Inside was Puneet Mehra's employee profile.

Age twenty-six.

Assistant executive manager.

Consistent promotions.

Outstanding reports.

The manager continued-

"Honestly ma'am, among everyone... he's the most suitable choice for handling your work schedule directly."

Ira stayed quiet while reading the reports carefully.

Then calmly asked-

"Any complaints against him?"

"None."

"Behavior issues?"

"No ma'am."

"Confidentiality record?"

"Excellent."

The manager nodded confidently.

"He's one of the few employees Mr. Rudra Khanna personally appreciated during internal reviews."

That sentence mattered.

Ira closed the file slowly.

"Arrange a meeting with him."

"Yes ma'am."

"And until a permanent appointment is finalized..."

She pushed the file slightly forward.

"Puneet Mehra will work as my secretary."

The manager nodded immediately.

"I'll inform him right away."

As he left the office...

Ira leaned back against her chair tiredly for a brief second.

For months she had been handling everything alone after Rudra Khanna's death. Schedules. Meetings. Legal work. Board pressure.

About an hour later...

A soft knock came on Ira's office door.

"Come in."

The door opened carefully.

A tall man in formal office wear stepped inside holding a file neatly in his hands.

"Good afternoon, ma'am."

His voice sounded calm and professional. Ira looked up from her laptop briefly. Puneet Mehra. So this was him.

"Sit."

"Thank you."

He sat properly across from her without unnecessary nervousness. That itself was rare inside Khanna Industries nowadays. Most employees still became intimidated while talking directly to Ira. She closed the file in front of her calmly.

"You've been working here for four years?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Operations department before promotion?"

"Yes."

Ira nodded slightly while reviewing his profile again. His record truly was impressive. Consistent growth. Excellent leadership reports. No disciplinary issues. And surprisingly good crisis management skills.

"Mr. Kapoor recommended you personally," Ira said calmly.

Puneet replied respectfully-

"I'm grateful for the opportunity."

Ira observed him quietly for a moment. Professional posture. Controlled speech. Confident but not arrogant. Exactly the type of person she needed around her right now.

Finally she spoke-

"For the next few months you'll handle my schedules, meeting coordination, document management, and investor communication support."

"Yes ma'am."

"My work hours are unpredictable."

"I understand."

"You may need to stay late frequently."

"No problem."

"And confidentiality matters more than anything here."

Puneet immediately nodded seriously.

"Understood, ma'am."

Ira looked slightly satisfied.

" Good."

She handed him a thick file.

"Start with tomorrow's board meeting schedule. I want every document arranged before tonight."

Puneet took the file efficiently.

"I'll complete it."

As he stood up to leave, Ira suddenly added-

"One more thing."

He stopped respectfully.

"I don't tolerate office politics or unnecessary gossip."

His expression remained calm.

"Neither do I."

That answer made Ira quietly nod once.

"Alright. You can start working from today itself."

"Yes ma'am."

After he left the office...

Ira leaned back slightly again. Maybe this would finally reduce some pressure. Because lately. Her entire life had become nothing except responsibility after responsibility.

Meanwhile downstairs...

Several employees immediately surrounded Puneet the moment he stepped out.

"What happened?"

"Did she hire you?"

"You survived?"

Puneet adjusted the file in his hands calmly.

"Yes."

Everyone looked shocked instantly.

"Seriously?!"

One employee whispered dramatically-

"Bro... working directly under Ira ma'am means no mistakes allowed."

Another immediately added-

"She notices literally everything."

Puneet gave a small polite smile.

"I noticed."

But somewhere deep inside. Even he understood this wasn't a normal position. Because now he wasn't just working under any executive. He was working beside the woman currently holding together the entire Khanna empire alone.

__________________

At school-

The final bell rang loudly across the campus. Students immediately rushed outside excitedly.

But Tushar remained seated quietly for a few extra seconds while staring at his notebook blankly. His entire life felt divided now. School. Business. Secret marriage. Grief. Nothing connected properly anymore.

Aryan suddenly threw an arm dramatically around his shoulder.

"Come on, billionaire tragedy hero. Let's go."

Tushar sighed tiredly.

"You're unbearable."

"And yet you still keep me around."

Before Tushar could answer. A group of boys suddenly passed nearby whispering loudly enough intentionally.

"Did you hear? His dad's secretary controls everything now."

"Rich people are seriously weird."

Another laughed quietly.

"Imagine getting ordered around by an older woman."

Tushar's expression instantly darkened. Aryan noticed immediately.

"Ignore them."

But one boy smirked again.

"Maybe that's why he suddenly attends school quietly now."

Something snapped inside Tushar instantly. His chair scraped harshly against the floor as he stood up. The classroom went silent immediately. Even the boys froze slightly. Tushar slowly walked toward them with dangerously calm eyes now.

"What did you just say?"

The confidence on their faces weakened instantly. Because suddenly. He didn't look like a normal school student anymore.

"We were joking."

"Then laugh."

Silence. Complete silence. Tushar stepped closer slightly.

"You know absolutely nothing about her," he said coldly. "So next time you use her name..."

His jaw tightened.

"Show respect."

Nobody answered. Nobody moved. And after a few long seconds. Tushar simply walked past them and left the classroom. Aryan stared behind him in shock.

"...Okay."

Then quietly to himself-

"He's becoming scary."

Aryan quickly grabbed his bag and ran behind him.

"Tushar!"

But Tushar kept walking through the crowded corridor without stopping. His expression remained cold. Jaw tight. Hands clenched. Students automatically moved aside seeing him like this.

Aryan finally caught up near the staircase.

"Bro relax."

"I am relaxed."

"That did not look relaxed."

Tushar stopped walking suddenly and looked at him.

"They were talking about her like she's some gold digger."

His voice carried genuine anger now.

"They don't even know what she's doing for my family."

Aryan stayed quiet. Because honestly. He understood now. Everyone outside only saw headlines.

Secretary controlling Khanna Industries.

But nobody saw the reality behind it. Nobody saw Ira handling lawyers till midnight. Managing investors. Protecting the company. Protecting Tushar. Aryan exhaled softly.

"People talk nonsense when they're jealous."

Tushar looked away frustrated.

"I don't care what they say about me."

"Clearly."

"But they can't disrespect her."

That sentence came out instantly. Without hesitation. Without thought. Aryan's eyebrows slowly lifted.

"Ohhh."

Tushar immediately frowned.

"Don't start."

"I didn't even say anything yet."

"You were about to."

Aryan smirked slightly while walking beside him again.

"You defended her like a husband."

Tushar almost choked.

"What is wrong with you?!"

Aryan burst out laughing.

"I'm serious!"

"You're mentally ill."

"You literally looked ready to kill them."

Tushar rubbed his forehead tiredly.

"She already handles enough pressure. Last thing she deserves is people insulting her behind her back."

Aryan noticed the exhaustion in his voice immediately. This wasn't just anger. This was protectiveness. The kind that comes silently. Slowly. Without realizing.

They finally reached the school parking area. Most students had already left. The black Khanna car waited near the gate as usual. Tushar stopped near it before looking at Aryan.

"You coming tomorrow?"

Aryan stared at him dramatically.

"Wow. Such emotional attachment."

"Forget it."

"I'll come."

Tushar entered the car quietly and leaned back against the seat tiredly.

The moment the door closed, the silence around him returned again. School problems. Business pressure. People talking about Ira. His father's memories. Everything felt suffocating together.

The driver started the car carefully.

"Home, sir?"

Tushar nodded silently while looking outside the window.

___

Night had already fallen over the Khanna Mansion.

After an exhausting day filled with school whispers, business meetings, reporters, and hidden battles. Everything finally became quiet. Almost.

Tushar sat alone in the living room wearing a loose black t-shirt and grey lowers, lazily flipping through his Mathmatics book with absolutely no interest. His expression looked permanently annoyed now. And honestly. The chapter looked annoying too.

A few seconds later-

Footsteps echoed softly downstairs. Tushar looked up instinctively. Ira had finally returned from the office. She looked exhausted. Hair slightly messy now. Files still in her hand. Yet somehow still composed. The moment she entered the living room, her eyes immediately fell on the open book in front of him.

"You're studying?"

Tushar looked offended immediately.

"Why does everyone sound shocked when I do basic human activities?"

Ira finally sat on the couch opposite him and loosened the watch around her wrist tiredly.

"How was your day?"

Tushar closed the book.

"Terrible."

"What happened?"

Then Ira finally noticed his expression carefully.

"You look irritated."

Tushar looked away.

"Some boys at school were talking nonsense."

"About?"

He hesitated for one second before answering.

"You."

Ira's expression barely changed.

"What did they say?"

"Nothing important."

"Tushar."

His jaw tightened again.

"They said you control everything now."

Ira remained calm.

"That's true."

"And they were disrespecting you."

For the first time. Her expression softened slightly. Just slightly.

"You fought?"

Tushar stayed silent. Which was already enough answer. Ira closed her eyes for a brief second like she expected this already.

"You shouldn't fight over useless comments."

"They were insulting you."

"And people will continue doing that."

Her voice remained practical.

"Because they only see headlines. Not reality."

Tushar looked at her frustrated.

"How are you this calm all the time?"

"Somebody has to be."

That sentence made him quiet again. The lightness in her tone felt strange after days of grief and tension. Comforting too. For a few moments, silence settled comfortably between them again. Tushar kept staring at her for a moment.

Honestly...

He still couldn't understand how she managed everything alone after Rudra Khanna's death. Every single day she handled investors, legal problems, media pressure, company meetings, staff issues... And still somehow returned home looking calm. Tired. But calm.

Suddenly Ira looked up from the papers.

"What are you staring at?"

"You."

She raised an eyebrow slightly.

"That sounds concerning."

Tushar immediately looked away.

"I mean-not like that."

"Relax. I understood."

His ears still turned slightly red anyway. Ira almost smiled again seeing his embarrassed expression. Almost. Then her eyes suddenly fell on his Mathematics notebook.

"You solved this wrong."

Tushar frowned instantly.

"No I didn't."

"You did."

He pushed the notebook toward her stubbornly.

"Show me then."

Ira quietly leaned closer and picked up his pen. A few strands of hair slipped near her face while she corrected the equation calmly on the page. Tushar unknowingly stopped paying attention to the notebook completely.

Instead...

His eyes remained on her. The way she explained patiently. The tiredness hidden behind her calm expression. The tiny line between her brows whenever she focused seriously. And suddenly one strange realization hit him quietly. She looked younger like this. Not like the cold professional woman everyone feared at Khanna Industries.

Just... Ira.

"Understand now?" she asked without looking up.

Tushar blinked quickly.

"...What?"

Now she finally looked at him directly.

"You weren't listening at all."

"I was."

"You were staring at me."

Silence. Complete silence. Tushar immediately grabbed his notebook awkwardly.

"I hate this house."

A small laugh escaped Ira before she could stop herself. And the moment that soft sound reached him. Tushar froze slightly. Because this was probably the first genuine laugh he had heard from her since his father's death.

The tiredness returned to her face immediately after. She rubbed her forehead softly before closing her eyes for a second. Tushar noticed everything silently.

"You have a headache?"

"I'm fine."

"That means yes."

"It'll disappear."

"It won't."

Without waiting for permission, he stood up and walked toward the nearby cabinet. After searching for a moment, he grabbed the medicine box and returned. Ira looked at him.

"You know where medicines are kept?"

"I live here too."

He placed water and medicine in front of her.

"Take it."

"You sound bossy."

"You sound impossible."

For a second she simply stared at him quietly. Then unexpectedly.

"Since when did my Baby Husband start giving me orders?"

Silence.Absolute silence. Tushar froze completely.

"...Your what?"

A faint amused expression appeared on her tired face seeing his reaction.

"My baby husband."

His ears instantly turned red.

"Miss. Ira!"

"What I am Mrs. Khanna?"

"Don't call me that!"

"Why? It's technically true."

"I hate you."

"No you don't."

That answer came way too confidently. Tushar looked away immediately while trying to hide his embarrassment. Meanwhile Ira finally took the medicine calmly like nothing happened.

A few seconds later he muttered quietly-

"You're seriously evil."

Ira laughed again softly. And somehow... The sound made the huge lonely mansion feel alive for the first time in many days. Ira quietly picked up the files again before suddenly asking-

"Had your dinner?"

Tushar looked up immediately.

"No."

She frowned slightly.

"Why?"

He answered casually-

"I was waiting for you."

The words came out so naturally that even he didn't realize them immediately. But Ira did. For a brief second. Her movements paused. Something soft flickered across her tired eyes before she looked away again.

"You shouldn't wait so late for dinner."

Tushar shrugged lightly.

"This house feels less empty when someone eats with me."

The simple honesty in his voice made the atmosphere suddenly quieter. Because deep inside. Both understood what he actually meant. Since Rudra Khanna's death... The mansion no longer felt like home. It felt huge. Silent. Lonely.

"Okay," she spoke softly. "I'll freshen up. Till then you start eating."

Tushar immediately frowned.

"That sounds unfair."

"How?"

"You'll make me sit alone at the dining table like a sad orphan child."

A tiny laugh escaped her again.

"You're very dramatic."

"I learned from expensive surroundings."

This conversation felt normal. Light. Comfortable. Ira stood up slowly and looked toward him once more.

"And no skipping dinner."

"Yes, ma'am."

She shook her head slightly before walking upstairs toward her room. Meanwhile Tushar quietly watched her disappear around the staircase corner.

Then slowly-

The small smile on his face faded a little. Because without realizing it. He had already started waiting for her presence. Not just tonight. Every day.

Fifteen minutes later...

Tushar was still sitting on the couch. The untouched dinner tray remained on the center table exactly the same.

And instead of studying. He was staring blankly toward the staircase. Waiting. Which was honestly embarrassing.

"Sir..."

A servant approached carefully.

"Should I serve dinner?"

Tushar immediately looked away from the stairs like he definitely wasn't waiting for someone.

"...No. We'll eat together."

The servant nodded respectfully before leaving quietly.

A few minutes later. Soft footsteps echoed downstairs again. Tushar looked up instinctively. And then froze slightly. Ira walked downstairs wearing a simple light blue cotton kurti, her hair now open and slightly damp after showering. No office files. No strict business expression. No boardroom coldness. For the first time today. She looked relaxed. Human.

And somehow. Younger. Tushar quickly looked away before she noticed him staring.

"You still didn't start?"

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"You said together."

Something soft crossed her expression hearing that. Without another word, she sat across from him at the dining table while servants quietly served dinner.

For a few moments-

Only silence remained. Not uncomfortable. Just peaceful. Then suddenly.

"How was the board meeting?"

Ira looked slightly surprised by the question.

"Tiring."

"Did those old men annoy you again?"

A small smile appeared on her lips.

"Yes."

Tushar immediately looked proud.

"I knew it."

"You sound happy about that."

"Because now you understand my suffering too."

Ira shook her head slightly while taking a sip of water. Meanwhile Tushar quietly watched her for a moment before speaking again-

"Did you eat anything all day?"

"I had sandwich."

"That's not food."

"I was busy."

"You sound exactly like those workaholic CEOs people hate."

"And you sound like an irritated house husband."

Tushar almost choked on water.

"You started this baby husband nonsense and now this?!"

Then realizing he was staring, Ira quickly cleared her throat and looked down at her plate again.

"Eat your food."

Tushar leaned back slightly while smiling faintly.

"Yes, Mrs. Khanna."

The dining hall slowly became quiet again after that. But this silence felt different now. Warm. Comfortable. Almost peaceful. Tushar lazily played with the spoon in his hand before suddenly speaking-

"You know something?"

Ira looked up slightly.

"What?"

"You're very different at home."

A small frown appeared on her face.

"How?"

"At office you scare people."

"That's called management."

"No," he answered immediately. "That's called emotional terrorism."

A tiny smile appeared on her lips again.

"But here..." Tushar continued quietly, "you act normal."

For a second. Ira didn't answer. Because honestly. Very few people had ever seen her outside work mode. Outside responsibility. Outside survival. Finally she spoke softly.

"This house was never office for me."

The sentence unexpectedly hit him deeply. Because suddenly he remembered. Rudra Khanna really treated her like family long before this marriage happened. Maybe