It was nearing midnight when Adhir and Kudret returned from a late business dinner. The house was quiet as they stepped in, only the soft ticking of the clock echoing in the stillness. Kudret gave Adhir a tired but warm smile. “Goodnight, beta. Look after Saasha and Amrita—and yourself as well,” he said, patting his shoulder.

Adhir nodded, the weight of the night’s events making his own smile faint. “Goodnight, Baba.”