The family gathered in the hall, their laughter and chatter filling the space with warmth. 

Maya and Adranksh sat in the center, their trophies resting proudly on the table beside them, symbols of their hard-earned success. Tonight was not just about business—it was about family, love, and shared victories. 

“I’m so proud of you both,” Ajendra said, pulling them into a warm embrace. His voice was thick with emotion. His eyes shone with pride, a rare softness in them. 

Maya and Adranksh smiled, their happiness genuine, their hearts full. “Thank you so much, Dadu,” they said in unison. 

A moment of silence passed before the room erupted in laughter. 

“Still finishing each other’s sentences, huh?” Aadrik teased. 

Maya playfully nudged Adranksh. “Looks like we’ve spent too much time together.” 

“And yet, it’s still not enough,” he murmured just for her, making her cheeks flush. 

Then, Adranksh’s gaze flickered around the room. “Where’s Avyaansh, Maa?” 

Shrestha’s smile faded. “I don’t know, Adranksh. Aadrik has been trying to contact him all day. He said he’d be here by night… but he isn’t.” Concern edged her voice. 

Before anyone could respond, a distressed voice rang from the doorway. 

“Avyaansh, let me go! What are you doing?” 

All eyes turned toward the entrance. 

Ishani stood there, struggling against Avyaansh’s grip. His hold on her was firm, his jaw set, his expression dark. 

“Shut up,” he barked, dragging her forward. 

“Badi Maa! Chachi! Karishma!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the grand hall. The family rushed toward the entrance, eyes wide with confusion. 

Maya stepped forward, fury flashing in her gaze. “Avyaansh, what are you doing?” 

“Bhabhi, not now,” he snapped, cutting her off. 

Adranksh’s eyes darkened. “Avyaansh, don’t talk to her like that!” he warned. 

Avyaansh ignored him. He turned to the elders. “Aarti kijiye apni nayi bahu ka.” 

Gasps filled the room. 

Ishani flinched, reaching out toward Maya, but Avyaansh yanked her back roughly. 

“Stay still,” he warned, his voice low and dangerous. 

The sound of Maya’s palm striking his cheek echoed through the hall. 

“Enough!” she seethed. “What do you think you’re doing?” 

Avyaansh’s fists clenched at his sides. His breathing was heavy as he struggled to control his anger. 

“If you won’t follow tradition, I don’t mind,” he stated coldly. “I’ll take her inside either way. It’s up to you now.” 

Kausalya rushed forward with an aarti plate, hands trembling as she performed the ritual. The other women joined hesitantly, murmuring prayers as they welcomed the couple inside. 

But Ishani wasn’t done fighting. 

“Maya! Help me!” she pleaded as Avyaansh dragged her forward. 

Maya immediately stepped in, blocking his path. 

Avyaansh ran a frustrated hand down his face. “Bhabhi, please.” 

“No, Avyaansh,” Maya shot back, her voice sharp with authority. “This behavior is unacceptable. Who are you to treat her like this?” 

“She cheated on me, Bhabhi,” Avyaansh said through gritted teeth, his voice raw with pain. “I gave her nothing but love, and she betrayed me. I loved her, Bhabhi. And now she’s mine. She’s Ishani Avyaansh Singh Rajput.” 

Maya’s stomach twisted at the possessiveness in his tone. “Let her go, Avyaansh,” she demanded, trying to pry Ishani free from his grip. 

But before the situation could escalate further, Ishani suddenly froze. 

Looking around at the watching faces, she turned to Maya and whispered, “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. I promise.” 

Maya hesitated, her heart urging her to fight harder. But Ishani’s expression was firm, her resolve unwavering. 

Slowly, Maya stepped back, her eyes locked onto Ishani’s. 

Then, without another word, Avyaansh pulled her away, disappearing into the depths of the house. 

Maya had never felt so uneasy.

“Ishu…” she whispered as she staggered backward. Adranksh wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her close. 

“I know him, Malyshka. He is just angry now, but he loves her. He won’t hurt her,” he assured her. 

“It’s been a long day, both of you go rest,” Kaveri announced. 

Adranksh nodded and took Maya toward their room. 

The next morning, Maya paced restlessly in the living room, her eyes flickering toward the staircase every few seconds. Anxiety ran through her as she waited for Ishani. 

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ishani came down the stairs. 

Maya rushed to her side. “Ishu, are you okay? What did he do? Did he hurt you?” she asked, worry evident in her voice. 

Ishani forced a small smile, but it didn’t reach her tired, red-rimmed eyes. “He didn’t hurt me physically, Maya,” she murmured. “But he broke my heart into pieces yesterday.” 

Maya’s heart clenched. Without another word, she pulled Ishani into a tight hug and led her outside to the garden. 

“Tell me what happened,” Maya urged gently. 

Ishani let out a heavy sigh. “When’s Vee coming?” 

“In an hour. Ansh sent his jet,” Maya answered. 

Ishani nodded, her shoulders slumping. “I’ll tell you then. I’m so tired, Maya. Can I sleep on your lap?” 

Maya didn’t hesitate. “Of course.” 

Ishani gave her a soft, weary smile before settling onto the bench, resting her head in Maya’s lap. As soon as Maya’s fingers ran through her hair, a deep exhale escaped Ishani’s lips, as if she’d finally found a moment of peace. 

“What would I do without you guys, Maya?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Maya swallowed the lump in her throat. “You’ll fix this soon, Ishu.” 

Silence stretched between them before Maya hesitantly asked, “Do your parents know?” 

A flicker of sadness crossed Ishani’s face. “No. It all happened so suddenly… I don’t even know how to tell them.” 

Maya tightened her grip on her. “Sleep for now,” she whispered. “We’ll fix it together.” 

Ishani didn’t respond. She simply closed her eyes, exhaustion taking over. But even in sleep, her cheeks were stained with tears. 

Maya’s heart ached as she gazed down at her best friend.

The doors of the Rajput Mansion burst open as Maya’s family, Ishani’s family, and Vedha’s family rushed inside, their anxious footsteps echoing through the vast hall. 

The room fell into a thick silence as Vijendra’s voice echoed through the Rajput Mansion. 

“Where is my daughter?” he asked furiously, his hands clenched into fists. 

Smriti stepped forward, her eyes full of worry. “Ishani! Beta, where are you?” she called out, her voice trembling. 

Vijendra placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but his own rage was barely contained. “Someone answer us! What have you done to our daughter?” 

Maya stepped in between them and the Rajput family. “Uncle, Aunty, please calm down. Ishani is upstairs.” 

Smriti’s face softened with relief for a brief moment before worry crept back in. “What happened to her, Maya?” 

Before Maya could answer, heavy footsteps echoed from the staircase. 

Avyaansh appeared at the top, holding Ishani’s wrist tightly as he pulled her along. 

Gasps filled the room. 

“Ishani!” Smriti cried, rushing forward, but Avyaansh raised his hand, stopping her in her tracks. 

“Don’t,” he warned, his voice cold. 

Vijendra’s anger boiled over. “How dare you treat my daughter like this?” 

“She is my wife,” Avyaansh shot back, his jaw tightening. “And this is our family matter.” 

Ishani’s eyes filled with tears as she tried to break free. “Appa, Amma…” her voice cracked. 

Maya had had enough. She marched forward, stepping in between Avyaansh and Ishani. “Let her go, Avyaansh.” 

He clenched his jaw but didn’t move. Vedha stepped beside Maya. “Avyaansh, don’t make this worse than it already is.” 

Vijendra’s voice thundered again, filled with authority. “I’m taking my daughter home.” 

Avyaansh’s grip on Ishani tightened. “She isn’t going anywhere.” 

A deadly silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken threats. 

Then, Ishani did something no one expected. 

She yanked her hand free from Avyaansh’s grip and took a step back. Her eyes, once filled with pain, now burned with determination. 

“I am going home,” she declared. 

Smriti rushed to her side, pulling her into a tight embrace. 

Vijendra turned to Avyaansh, his voice low but firm. “You have lost the right to call her your wife.” 

Avyaansh’s face darkened, but before he could say anything, Ishani looked him straight in the eye. 

“I’ll send the divorce papers soon.” 

With that, she turned away, walking out of the mansion with her family. 

But as she disappeared through the doors, something inside him snapped. 

This wasn’t over. 

Not yet. 

Ishani barely made it three steps toward the door when Avyaansh’s voice cut through the silence, low but firm. 

“You’re not leaving, Ishani.” 

She froze. 

Her fingers trembled at her sides; her breath uneven. She turned to face him, her eyes filled with anger, pain… and remnants of the love they once shared. 

Vijendra’s voice boomed. “Who do you think you are to stop her?” 

Avyaansh didn’t even flinch. His gaze never left Ishani’s. “Her husband.” 

The word struck like a blade. 

Smriti stepped forward, placing a protective hand on her daughter’s arm. “You forced her into this marriage, Avyaansh! You don’t love her, and she—” 

“Doesn’t love me?” Avyaansh let out a hollow chuckle. His jaw clenched as he looked at Ishani. “Then say it, Ishani. Tell me you never loved me.” 

Ishani sucked in a breath, her body betraying her. Her heart betrayed her. 

She opened her mouth, but no words came. 

Because it wasn’t true. 

Once upon a time, Avyaansh was her everything. The boy who had held her when she cried, the man who promised to love her forever. He had been her best friend, her first love, her greatest dream. 

Now, he was her worst nightmare. 

Avyaansh took a step forward, lowering his voice so only she could hear. 

“You can leave, Ishani.” His voice was soft, almost taunting. “But do you think I’ll let you go so easily?” 

Her fists clenched. “What do you mean?” 

“Prove it, Ishani.” 

Ishani’s breath hitched as Avyaansh took a step closer, his voice dangerously low. 

“Prove it, Ishani,” he said, each word filled with raw anger. “Prove that you didn’t cheat on me.” 

The room fell into complete silence. 

Her heart pounded against her ribs, the weight of his accusation suffocating her. She looked around—her mother’s tear-filled eyes, her father’s clenched jaw, Maya’s silent plea to fight back. 

But how could she? 

How do you prove something when the person you once loved refuses to believe you? When every look he gives you is filled with betrayal? 

Ishani swallowed, her voice shaking. “You know me, Avyaansh. You know I would never—” 

“I knew a lot of things about you once,” he cut in, his tone filled with hatred. “And yet, here we are.” 

Pain shot through her chest like a dagger. 

She turned to her father, desperation filling her voice. “Appa, you have to believe me. That meeting was—” 

Vijendra’s face remained unreadable. His silence was worse than any accusation. 

Avyaansh let out a sharp exhale, rubbing a hand over his face before his eyes darkened with something colder. “Fine,” he murmured. “You want to prove yourself?” 

He stepped even closer, their breaths mingling. 

“Then stay,” he said. “Be my wife. Show me that you belong here, with me. Show me that everything we had wasn’t a lie.” 

Ishani stiffened. 

“This is ridiculous—” Maya started, but Adranksh held her back. 

“Let them, Malyshka. Let her prove her love for him. Let him regret,” he whispered in her ear. Maya looked at Adranksh, who offered her assurance. 

Ishani stared at him, searching his face for something—anything that resembled the boy she had loved. The boy who once whispered promises into her ear, who held her close as if she was his whole world. 

But that boy was gone. 

All that was left was a man consumed by heartbreak and revenge. 

“You want to punish me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Avyaansh’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t deny it. Her hands curled into fists, nails digging into her palm. “Fine.” Her voice shook, but she forced herself to look him in the eye. “I’ll stay.” A flicker of something crossed his face. Was it relief? Regret? But just as quickly, he smirked. “Good choice.” 

Vedha grabbed Ishani’s wrist. “You don’t have to do this.” 

“Yes, I do,” Ishani murmured, her voice flat. Because no matter how much she wanted to run, she knew one thing for certain: Avyaansh would never let her go. And a part of her, the part that still remembered what love felt like, wasn’t sure if she wanted him to.

“Appa, please forgive me. I have to prove my innocence. I won’t do anything to shame our family.” She reassured her father, who left with a disappointed look. 

“Don’t come back until you prove it then.” He stated and walked away with Surya and Janardhan following their friend.