Page 39 of Since You Stole My Heart

Her throat tightened as she forced the words out. ‘If that money doesn’t come through, those people will lose everything they’ve built with their blood, sweat, and tears.’

‘I understand you’re worried—’

She shook her head vehemently. ‘No. You don’t understand. One organisation declared fifty new scholarships today because I promised to fund it.’

Her mind raced through every announcement she’d made since morning, and a wave of nausea rolled through her.

What will I tell them now?

Swayam cupped her cheek, gently tilting her face upwards. ‘I may not understand the scale of your work, but I know it matters to you. And that’s exactly why we won’t let it end here.’

For a moment, Kashvi simply stood there, the calm certainty in his voice clashing with the chaos inside her.

‘We will find another way, I promise you. Now breathe.’

As the fog of panic lifted slightly, Kashvi noticed her sister watching her and Swayam with narrowed eyes.

‘What was that?’

‘What?’ Kashvi mumbled.

‘What just happened between the two of you?’ Siya asked, folding her arms across her chest.

Luv began to hum the tune ofHo Gaya Hai Tujhko Toh Pyaar Sajnaunder his breath.

When Kashvi shot him a glare, he coughed into his fist. ‘Sorry. Maybe I ate the wrong kind of biryani.’

Swayam fought a smile, especially when Kashvi threatened Luv with violence, which he brushed off easily.

Though she didn’t push further, Siya continued to observe them, and Kashvi knew that the conversation was far from over. Thankfully, the doorbell rang, saving her.

‘That must be Dhruv,’ Abhay said, heading for the door.

Kashvi folded her arms against her chest, bracing herself.

Dhruv walked into the living room, exchanging awkward nods with everyone. Dressed in an olive T-shirt and jeans, he looked as if he’d come here straight out of bed, dishevelled and with ragged hair.

His gaze moved across the room before settling on Kashvi. A faint crease appeared between his brows. ‘You look like you’ve had a rough morning. Are you okay?’

His question struck a raw nerve.

‘Brilliant deduction, Sherlock. Now how about you start answering my questions?’ Kashvi shot back.

‘Sure. What do you want to know?’

‘How did you magically manage to get your hands on our family deed when it’s too confidential even for Siya?’ Kashvi asked, sharper than she intended.

Dhruv didn’t react to the challenge in her tone. If anything, his calmness only made her more restless.

‘I’m friends with Dad’s assistant. We went to university together. I asked her if there was any way she could make a copy,’ he explained.

Kashvi scoffed. ‘Just like that? She put her job at risk just because you’re friends?’

He shrugged. ‘People do a lot of favours when they hate their boss.’

Disbelief edged her voice. ‘She hates him enough to hand over confidential documents and risk legal consequences?’

Dhruv held her gaze head-on. ‘She’s his personal assistant, Kashvi. I’m sure you know him well enough to imagine how he treats his female staff.’