The next few months were spent in a state of constant bliss. Everything revolved around Preeta and the baby and getting ready for the next Luthra.

With all the baby fever she barely noticed the people who came and went or the fact that Karan and Rishabh seemed to work together more than ever. It wasn't until Bella dropped by that Preeta realised something was up.

Her meeting with Aditya Khanna one of the brightest scientists India ever raised, happened a few weeks later and everything settled into place. Rishabh had invited him for dinner and Aditya had spent the entire night stroking her ego and collecting death glares from Karan, who seemed awfully bothered by the shameless flirting . Of course Aditya would never actually follow through, knowing that she was a married woman, but still it brought a smile to her lips. So between Karan's jealousy fits and Rishabh's focus aimed at Bella and Jack no one noticed that some papers fell into Preeta's hands by accident.

A few nights later, when Rishabh was out of town, she cornered Karan, demanding answers and he couldn't say no to her. Especially since her wild temper had become even more temperamental as her pregnancy progressed. For Karan he knew that refusing to answer would lead to him sleeping cold and alone in his king sized bed when he could be sharing it with Preeta, relishing in one of the few moments they got together. So he spilled all the details. Apparently Bella and Singh were putting together a new division focused on making sure that the rebels incident wouldn't be repeated and they wanted Rishabh's support to pass it through parliament and Karan to run the first few operations. None of that sounded ideal to her but none of the men in her life wanted to hear her thoughts. Something just wasn't adding up to the whole. There was a sinking feeling inside her and non matter how much she wanted to ignore it, it just stayed there.

Everything was going well so far, the baby was growing just fine and both Rishabh and Karan were over the moon. They would rub her bump every chance they got and of course coddle her as much as possible.  But she still had this sinking feeling though. She didn't want this new division thing that they were putting together. It kept Karan away from her for sometimes and Rishabh had started making enemies even among their supposed 'own' people. Her heart may belong to Karan but she cares deeply for Rishabh too and maybe she doesn't love him the same way she does Karan but Rishabh is still her husband who has her loyalty,  respect and won't let anyone hurt him

A few months later, Karl Luthra was born on a warm October Sunday morning while his father was away on 'business '. Preeta wasn't due for another week or so and Karan swore that he would be back before it was time. Their son however had his father's temperaments, which translated into an early labour. To say that everyone ran around like chickens with their heads cut off would be the understatement of the century. Thank God Rishabh got himself under control after a few minutes and was able to walk her through it.

When the labour first started the previous afternoon she wrote it off as nothing. It wasn't until late in the evening that she realized what was really going on and alerted their family to it. After almost eleven hours, baby Luthra graced them with his presence.  Luthra firstborns are always boys (her father-in-law had said so proudly) and if he had a wicked resemblance of his uncle (Karan), no one said anything. No one but her mother Sarla though, who looked at her daughter and then back at the baby, and Preeta was ninety nine percent sure that somehow she knew.

The traditional gifts were presented to her, family heirlooms from all of them to her for all the 'trouble' she went through and after that, her mother finally kicked them out so she and the baby could rest properly.  Rishabh tried to protest but Sarla would have none of that; everyone was banned from the room until Preeta had at least seven hours of sleep. Sarla stayed in case Preeta needed anything and of course no one could go against her so they left one after the other with Rishabh leaving last, after he kissed both her and 'their' son goodbye and promised to be back that evening.

Preeta woke up a few hours later to soft words and the baby cooing. Tears prickled behind her eyelids as her gaze rested on one of the most beautiful pictures she had ever seen. His jacked was draped over an armchair, because, of course she had gotten one of the best rooms available, his sleeves rolled up his elbows, tie loose and their son cradled in his strong arms. Preeta felt a surge of love and pride overcoming her, maybe it was hormones or maybe it was the unbelievable love she had for those two people but she couldn't keep the small sob locked inside of her or tears from falling. 

"Hey!" He turned to face her alarmed, baby still cradled carefully against his chest. 

"Whats wrong ?" Karan took a seat beside her on the bed and reached with one hand to push a strand of dark hair behind her ear.  God! She must be looking awful right now, with huge dark circles under her eyes and all.

"You look perfect", he teased and dropped a kiss on her lips.

"Did I say that out loud?" She asked, just a tiny bit embarrassed and he nodded with a smile.

"How did you get here?" You weren't supposed to be back for another week". The look he gave her was all kinds of weird. 

"Your mother called". His words confirmed only what Preeta already knew. 

"She said that I shouldn't miss a moment like this otherwise i would regret it got the rest of my life". Karan told her

"I see." She nodded though her mind was racing with thoughts of the impending conversation she will have with her mother and she knew it won't be pleasant at all for sure

"She was right, you know", Karan said after a moment of silence. 

" I wish I was there for you", he murmured almost to himself, his thumb rubbing soft circles on the back of the small hand wrapped around his finger. 

Their son signed in his sleep and Preeta watched Karan as he turned into a puddle just because of that quiet sound.

"You wouldn't be able to do much". Preeta reached over and adjusted the blanket around the baby, covering him up a little better.

"The doctors wouldn't let anyone stay in the room for more than five minutes, not even Rishabh, and of course no one was allowed in the delivery room so you would be pretty much useless". Her mother told her that they actually had to get Rishabh out of the waiting room because he tried to get to her a few times when she screamed too loud. If that was how Rishabh had reacted she couldn't imagine what Karan would be like and she's sure their secret would be blown up.

"Still though...." he insisted and she kissed his cheek reassuringly, there was no point crying over spilled milk.

"I LOVE YOU". She had waited forever to hear those three little words and hearing them now, in this too white hospital room with only the two of them and the tiny creature they created together? It was close to perfection as something could be.

"I LOVE YOU TOO", she murmured with the biggest smile she could muster.

"And you know", she began, and he looked at her curiously,  a dark eyebrows raised in question. "There's always next time".

Their laughter could be heard several rooms down the hospital hall but they didn't care. Instead they spent the rest of their time together laying on that small bed, with their sleeping peacefully between them, making plans. Unaware of what fate had really weaved for them.

Days later Preeta was given an okay to go home and she was very happy. Everyone in Luthra family was happy . Preeta felt amazing but being mother also called for sleepless nights. Her son Karl inherited his Karan's bad moods and you never know when they will strike. 

Karan was happy really happy and loved spending time with the baby. His mother especially found it strange because Karan had told her one day that he will never have a family of his own because he doesn't want to. And seeing him with Karl surprised her however she didn't poke for answers she was happy seeing her son happy.

For Karan he took it upon himself to present Preeta with a gift for very sleepless night they spend. He also gave her what he considered the best gift, it was a golden heart shaped locked decorated with a ruby heart surrounded by diamonds. It had Karl's both date engraved on one side while here band Karan's initials. Karan had told her that it was to thank her for giving him the best gift any man could ever ask for. She knew it was enough (compared to the jewellery she received from Rishabh and other family members and friends)

Over these past few months what she has found amusing is that she didn't know which one of the family would reach Karl's nursery to quiet him down before her. It was always a toss between Rishabh, Karan and Rahki with Karan always being the fastest but barely. Karl also seems to favour his father too though and zips his pie hole only for him. Through the last weeks it had turned into a bet to see who, other than Preeta can get him to go back to sleep the fastest and even her father in law Mahesh Luthra had joined in. Preeta's family was just too happy and maybe a little messed up but they were happy and had no idea what was looming around them.

Sarla had been visiting Luthra from time to time to check on her daughter but has never really found the time to talk to Preeta privately.  She has seen enough to show that her daughter was still having this affair with brother in law but today she had the chance to confront Preeta about it. They went in her and Rishabh's bedroom to talk while others were busy doing other things. Preeta and Sarla had started arguing and didn't even realize someone had followed them.

"What do you what mum?" Preeta asked annoyed because she knew what her mother wanted to speak about.

"You know exactly what I want young lady. Why him? When you have such a perfect man for a husband.

"Mum please, can we not talk about it"

"No! We have to talk about it and find a solution. So tell me".

There was silence until Preeta said "even if I tell you my reasons, you won't understand me, neither you nor anyone will understand me but whatever has happened and I  have done is yours, Rishabh his family's fault".

"What?? Your are blaming us for your infidarlity and deception? "

"Everyone of you pushed me into this, I was only twenty-two years and you forced me into a marriage I did want. I was young and I wanted to live my life, I wanted to meet someone, get to know them and fall in love".

"You've behaved like a slut "

" Mum please don't say that, am not a slut . She looked at her mum angrily and shouted . "Fine i fell in love with a man who isn't my husband,  i found love, passion, fire and a longing in him, and am very sorry mum  for disappointing you, Rishabh and everyone but am not sorry or have any regrets for loving  him becaause he is my son's father and the love of my life.  Our son was made with love and I can assure you he doesn't regret it to, we love each other and I don't care what you say because it's never gonna change the way we feel". 

"But he's your brother in law. Don't you feel any  shame or guilt in what you two are doing to your Rishabh?, He's your husband and you swore under oath, you made vows Preeta?"

"Don't you think I know that ? Preeta answered sadly with tears in her eyes.

"I know mum, I know and believe me when I say that I feel so much guilt, shame about what we are  doing. I feel bad for Rishabh but what do you want me to do if I couldn't love him the way I should. I tried to love him, I really did mum but i couldn't.  And with Karan, it just happened; there was something that always pulled us together. I know that Karan and I started off badly, there was hate between us and curiosity. Karan brought out my darkest desires and I wasn't afraid to give them. Mum I am sorry and I also want you to know that I respect and love my husband though it's not the kind of love a wife would have for her husband,  I never met to fall for Karan but it happened and there is nothing you can do.

The other person listening in couldn't believe what she had just heard, being a woman she understood Preeta but also the two boys are people she loves very much. She wondered what she would do. She was stuck and angry too at Preeta but she also knew such information would destroy both Luthras and Aroras family reputation.  These two families are loyalties in politics and people respect them. She decided to keep listening in to what mother and daughter were going to decide.

Sarla felt sorry for Preeta, and her daughter was right, they shouldn't have forced her into this and now what were they going to do

"Honey, am very sorry but you need to put a stop into this. Stop this affair, what will Rishabh do or even his family when they find out that Rishabh's son isn't his but his brother's ?, there is a lot at stake here my sweet girl, Our families reputations", Sarla told her calmly.

"Am sorry mum, am really are but am not giving up Karan for anything". And her mum had to let it be and told her to think about it.

Preeta knew her mum wouldn't approve but you can't control who you fall in love with and trust yourself to completely. Karan is to her and she can't ignore her feelings. Not for lack of trying but what she and Karan had was too powerful that you either embrace it and go down saying you've lived it or let it burn you slowly from inside as you die regretting not acting on it.

She knew she was going to hell for what she has done, for betraying the man she promised herself to in such an unforgivable way but she had decided a ago time ago to ride out the flamesto the underworld even though they will burn her. Preeta made her decisions but she has no idea what the future holds up for her.

😊😊😊😊😊😍😍😍😍😍😙😙😙😙😙😙😂😂😢😢😢

Note: Am sorry for delaying my updates but I've been and am extremely busy however I promise to update my other stories.

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