Neil's POV

"I know my baby it tastes horrible. But what Dadda can do? You have to take this to get better right." My heart crunched when I had to give that bitter medicine to my little baby.

Even though he was just 6 months old, he recognized the medicine cup. He started pushing my hands away and making efforts to roll over to hide his mouth. Just two days back, he has started to learn roll over.

'Smart kid'

I had to force him holding his chin with my fingers. The moment medicine hit his tastebuds. He took out his lower lip and cried at top of his voice.

"I am sorry my baby. Dadda is very very bad. Dadda will get punishment." I took him in my arms and starting cooing him.

Finally after 1 hour, I somehow made him sleep. He was discharged from hospital two days back but still was not fully recovered.

It stabs me with hundred daggers when I see his pale face, dried tear marks.

'I will never forgive you Meera.'

I caressed his hairs and kissed his temple.

'You are the only one I have Neev.'

'Dadda can do anything for you.'

'I love you'

'Beep' sound came from my phone.

'Shit I forgot to keep it on silent. I hope this sound will not disturb his sleep.'

I cursed sender but glanced at Neev.

'Thank god he is still sleeping.'

'Sorry Sir, we lost HyperCity Project to Martin's. They grabbed the deal.' Message from Alex, my PA.

I closed my burning eyes.

If this was the message just one year back then I would have been a roaring lion for my assisting team for losing an important deal.

But today, I know more than them I was at the fault.

I could not concentrate on the deal, in fact I was the one who left the deal talks in middle to look after my son who was burning with fever.

HyperCity Project was an alluring deal for Singhania Corporations, being CEO of this business empire it was my responsibility to pocket it. And to be frank, this was not any complicated deal compared to the once, I have cracked till last year.

'Board of Directors need explanations, they have set up meeting three days later.' Another one popped up.

'They are joining hands to corner you, Sir.'

I did not care to reply back but got to make a drink for myself.

Till last year, my life was so beautiful and why not Meera was there with me.

Meera My wife.... My love.... My life.

'Wife who betrayed her husband in worst way.' Her name added bitterness to whiskey's taste.

I still remember the day when I first time met Meera. She and her father Ashok Sehgal along with her step mom were invited to our home for dinner.

Mom had forced me to join it. That was a time, I could never say no to my Mom.

At the end of dinner, it blew my mind when Mom proposed alliance between me and Meera.

Meera Sehgal, renowned model and fashion fiesta. Being daughter of Ashok Sehgal, gave her added plus points to belong to elite class of this city.

Dad wanted to merge with Sehgal group of companies. I knew his hidden motive he wanted us to take over pharmaceutical domain which Sehgal's had monopoly at that time.

And Mom wanted a daughter in law as per her standards, her class and her taste... As a show off trophy.

'Neil I am warning you. I will never accept any middle class, low standard, mediocre girl as your wife. Come one she has to have some standards. After all she is going to be the crowned queen of Singhania's.' These were Mom's words, I had heard from the time I passed out from Harvard with gold medal.

But after meeting with Meera, I was stuck with her beauty. Her confidence, her charm had ignited fire inside me about which even I was unaware. She took away my breath at her first sight. It was love at first sight for me.

I did not only loved Meera but I was kind of obsessed with her.

Neev's arrival news completed my family. That's what I had thought. But alas...

I was excited to bring Meera and Neev back to home after his birth.

But when I reached to the hospital room, my little Neev was crying alone in the room.

Meera was already gone leaving just a letter behind. She was guilty for leaving me and Neev but her right to choose her happiness, her freedom, her career preceded over her guilt.

She simply walked out not only leaving our marriage but our one day old son who needed her the most.

Her departure did not settle with my mind so I asked my security in charge to find out about her.

'Was she disturbed over something?'

'Did I made any mistake?'

But the moment I saw her kissing and making out with some random guy over CCTV camera footage in one of hospital corridors, filled my heart with extreme anger and hatred for her. My heart, which used to beat for her once upon a time.

"I hate you Meera. I hate the day when you stepped in my life." I gulped the whisky on the rocks in one go hoping sleep took my senses.

Neev's crying broke my trance.

'Ohh his diaper needs a change' I somehow managed myself towards his crib.

Next day, Julia prepared breakfast as usual.

"This came yesterday but you were busy with Neev Baby." Julia kept one envelop.

It was court summon. I opened it.

"Fuck. How can you do this?" Reading contents my anger rilled up.

Glass breaking sound scared Neev. Dining hall boomed with his cryings.

I regretted and immediately took him in my arms to make him feel better and safe. Somehow I passed him to Julia when he slept after long of crying session.

"He is sleeping. Be with him. I will be back in an hour or two. If he wakes up early call me immediately." I pass Neev as well as instructions in one go.

I drove towards Singhania Mansion.

I very well know where he could be at this time.

"What the hell is this Dad?" I barged in his study, I threw papers on his desk.

"Welcome son"

"How could you do this with me?" If he was not my father I would have buried him in his grave by now.

"I was expecting your visit from yesterday. Anyways better late than never. Good." His insolent reply added fuel in already lit fire.

"Enough Mr. Singhania. You cannot do this."

"Neil"

"Bro"

Mom and my little brother Niren, entered inside.

"Come on Neil. You know me. I can do this. In fact I am going to do this." His tone was same as earlier.

"Dev what's going on here?" Mom was clueless.

"Bro calm down" Niren came to held my arm while I was throwing daggers at my father.

"Stay away from Neev. He is my son and..."

"But you are not capable of taking good care of your son." This time Dad's voice turned sharp.

"And who are you to decide about it?"

"I am his grandfather. And I can very well ask for his custody when his father is not in his senses to take care of him."

Mom and Niren gasped loudly which I least bother.

"I can take..."

"Oh really? In last six months, Neev was admitted in hospital for three times. Two times you were out of town. He was alone at home with just a mere care taker."

He was right but I had to come back with my replies, "I was away for business meetings."

"You cannot count that as an excuse."

"In last 6 months, Singhania Corp. have not signed a single new deal. We have lost HyperCity Project. I am pretty sure in board meeting you will lose your CEO position as well. Then how are you going to support Neev's future?"

"You don't have to worry about it" I was still stubborn.

"Dev, are you?" Mom tried to intervene.

"I have send him court summon that I am going to claim Neev's custody. That little boy needs a family. I cannot let my grandson to suffer because your son is obsessed with his disloyal wife."

"I am his only family. I will never let my son to face any hardships. I am there to take care of it. I will never allow even her shadow near my son."

"Neil I have made my mind." His determined voice scared me for a moment.

"You cannot separate son and father. In court you can't have stand." I tried last resort.

"Come on son. You very well know I can do it. I have gathered enough proofs in last couple of months which will be sufficient for court to accept my claim."

'Dev Singhania, ruthless businessman. He will never strike any deal without having all balls in his court.'

"What do you want me to do?" I need to know my take aways.

"Now we are talking" he got up from his seat.

'I hate his sardonic smile.'

"I will support you in board meeting which will give extension period for you to maintain and prove yourself capable for CEO position for next 6 months. Also I will take back custody claim for Neev."

"WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?"

He compete with my glare for a moment.

"You have to marry Myra."

"Myra?" I wanted to confirm.

"Yes, Dr. Myra Sehgal." He and his nonchalant tone.

"Are you hearing yourself Dad?"

Her name, his unrealistic proposal pushed me in hole.

"Have you gone crazy Dev?" Mom spatted out along with me.

"Nandini you stay out of it."

"Do you want to tag that low class girl with my son?" Mom fired back again.

My brain was still processing his unexpected demand.

"You have already destroyed his life when you tagged him with girl like Meera for so called society standards." His glare made Mom jump at her place for a moment.

"Dev listen to me please. I have talked with Mehta's, Riya will be perfect for Neil. They just..." This time Mom tried to control situation.

"Niren you can leave with your Mom."

"Dev you cannot decide about my son's future like...."

"Niren, I said leave. GET OUT." It was indication for closure of their discussion.

Niren forcefully pulled Mom and left from study giving me pitiful look.

"Dad you can't do this with me."

"I am not doing this for you but for Neev. He needs mother, and Myra will be good mother to him."

"Good mother? Fuck"

"How can you forget she is daughter of non trustworthy, cruel, inhuman Ashok Sehgal? How can you forget she is a twin sister of girl who betrayed me? Her face, her blood, her soul everything screams betrayal. Betrayal is in her blood." I was screaming on top of my voice.

"Her upbringing will make difference."

"Her face will evoke memories of the worst betrayal I have faced. Her existence will remind me those tears my son had shed till today. She can never be a good mother for my son."

"Don't forget she was the one who took care of just born Neev when you were roaming around to find your so called cheap wife."

"Choice is yours. Neev along with Myra or nothing. You have one day to decide."

'I cannot live with out Neev. He is the only reason of my life. I will do anything to keep him with me.'

I did not know how time passed but I had to make choice.

Worst choice of my life.

"I will never accept her as my wife." I turned to leave.

"You have to accept her as Neev's mother."

I closed my eyes and tear rolled over my cheeks.

'Never'

**************************************************

Thanks for loving this story. Let me know how you found this chapter in the form of your votes and comments.

Please feel free to share this story in your message board as suggestive read if you think that they will enjoy this roller coaster ride.

Love
AngelTweet