The word hung in the air like a heavy glass ornament shattering against a concrete floor.

*Divorce.*

Veer’s hand stiffened around Mayra’s fingers. For the first time all evening, a flicker of genuine surprise crossed his unreadable face. He looked down at the gift box still resting in his other hand, suddenly realizing the heavy weight of its contents. With slow, deliberate movements, he tore away the elegant wrapping and popped the lid open.

There, resting inside, were the official divorce papers already signed by Kirti in dark, decisive ink placed right on top of a stack of printed WhatsApp screenshots exposing every single one of his secret rendezvous.

" What is this bhai?," Vivan growled, his fists clenching so hard his knuckles turned white. His protective instincts as a brother-in-law flared violently. Beside him, Aarohi had to physically grab Riaan’s arm as Riaan took a menacing step toward the stage, his eyes blazing with fury at Veer's sheer shamelessness.

Aarav stepped forward, his voice absolute thunder as the eldest brother. "Veer! *Yeh kya badtameezi hai?* (What is this insolence?) Down. Off the stage. Right now."

But Kirti didn't wait for the family drama to explode. She didn't cry, she didn't scream, and she didn't demand an explanation from the woman standing next to her husband. She simply turned her back on the stage, the pallid white of her saree flowing gracefully behind her as she walked away from the lights, leaving the Raichand family chaos in her wake.

She was exhausted—so exhausted that every part of her wanted to break down in front of them. Tears burned behind her eyes, desperate to escape, yet she refused to let them fall. Instead, she stood tall, her chin held high, wrapped in a confidence that wasn't born from pride but from the shattered pieces of her dignity. In that moment, she looked like a woman made of pure arrogance, when in reality, she had simply buried every emotion beneath the weight of her self-respect. As Kirti turned to leave, she could feel every pair of eyes fixed on her, judging, pitying, questioning. Still, she didn't look back. She knew that the moment she met their eyes, the walls she'd built around her heart would crumble, and she would lose the battle she had fought so hard to win.

This was the greatest test life had ever thrown at her. She had already made the painful decision to divorce him, but she had never imagined that before the divorce papers could even separate their names, he would bring his girlfriend before everyone and publicly announce their marriage. Nayra instinctively stepped forward, desperate to stop her sister, but Vivaan gently held her back. "This time, Bhabhi needs her own space. If you stop her now, she'll lose herself," he said quietly. Nayra froze, her heart burning with helplessness as her gaze shifted to Veer, who stood beside Maya without a trace of guilt or emotion on his face, as though the woman silently walking away had never been the one who once carried his name.

As Kirti disappeared from the party hall, an unsettling silence took over the room. The chaos had ended, yet the heaviness she left behind lingered in every corner. No one followed her. Instead, every gaze slowly shifted toward the one man who stood there shamelessly, as though nothing unforgivable had happened. Veer remained beside Maya, his face unreadable, untouched by guilt or regret. Nayra stood frozen, unable to process what had just unfolded. Dadi sank onto a nearby chair, clutching her head as shame consumed her completely.

Without another word, Adhiraj strode toward Veer. Before anyone could react, a sharp slap echoed through the hall. The sound silenced everyone. Although there were no outsiders present, the humiliation was enough to leave Veer standing motionless.

"Sharam aati hai mujhe tujhe apni aulaad kehte hue! How could you do this to her?" Adhiraj's voice trembled with rage and disappointment.

Divyanka stepped forward next, tears of anger glistening in her eyes as she scolded her son without mercy. One by one, every member of the Raichand family confronted him. Their words were harsh, filled with disappointment, reminding him of everything Kirti had sacrificed and every reason he should never have let her go. Yet Veer stood there in complete silence, his expression unchanged, as though none of it mattered.

Finally, his grandfather rose from his seat, his voice calm but carrying the weight of a verdict.

"If you have decided to divorce her, then leave this house... right now." For the first time, the room fell into absolute silence.

Veer didn't argue. He didn't plead. Without saying a single word, he simply turned, held Maya's hand, and walked out of the party hall, leaving behind a family shattered by his choices.

And just like that, what had begun as a joyful family picnic ended as the darkest memory of someone's life, a day that would forever remain etched in Kirti's heart, not as a celebration, but as the moment everything she had once called home fell apart.

It was well past midnight when the Raichand family finally returned to the Raichand Villa. The house, once filled with laughter, now stood wrapped in an unbearable silence. Kirti had never returned after leaving the party. The last time anyone had seen her was when she had walked away with her head held high. It had been almost twenty-four hours, and there was still no sign of her. Veer had also left the family behind, choosing to walk away with Maya.

Divyanka sank onto the couch, her face pale with shock and exhaustion. "Yeh kya ho gaya, Maa? Veer ne aisa kyun kiya?" she asked, her voice trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Vasundhara, who stood lost in her own thoughts. It was Vasundhara who had chosen Kirti as the daughter-in-law of the Raichand family. She had welcomed her into the house with pride, never imagining that one day the same girl would leave with a heart shattered beyond repair.

Taking a deep breath, Vasundhara composed herself. "Sab apne-apne kamron mein jao. Hum is baare mein baad mein baat karenge," she announced quietly before turning and walking toward her room.

Nayra, however, was beyond listening. Anger, guilt, helplessness, and heartbreak churned inside her all at once. Without saying a word, she stormed upstairs toward her bedroom. Vivaan exchanged a worried glance with the rest of the family before following behind her.

The moment Nayra stepped inside the room, her breathing turned uneven. Her eyes landed on the decorative glass jar placed neatly on the corner table. In an instant, memories of the previous night flashed before her—the humiliation, Kirti's trembling smile, and the silent pain in her eyes. With a cry of frustration, Nayra grabbed the jar and hurled it onto the marble floor.

Crash.

The sound echoed through the room as shards of glass scattered everywhere.

It wasn't enough.

Whatever came into her sight—a vase, a photo frame, books, cushions—she threw them away one after another, as if destroying the room could somehow lessen the pain in her heart.

"Nayra!" Vivaan called, rushing inside.

She ignored him completely.

He tried to stop her, but she pushed his hands away, blinded by her grief. Finally, he caught hold of her wrists and gently forced her to face him.

Their eyes met.

The storm inside her shattered instantly.

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

Without saying a word, Vivaan pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly as she broke down in his arms.

"Shhh... I'm here," he whispered softly, stroking her hair.

"Vivaan..." she sobbed, clutching the front of his shirt. "Kahan hongi Di? Aur unhone meri Di ke saath itna bura kyun kiya? She never deserved this... never."

Her voice cracked with every word.

Vivaan closed his eyes, tightening his hold around her. He had no answers. No explanation could justify what Veer had done. All he could do was hold his wife together while the entire Raichand family silently fell apart.

Meanwhile, in another room, Aarav stood silently on the balcony, his hands gripping the cold railing as tightly as if it were the only thing keeping him from falling apart. His eyes remained shut, yet the horrifying events of the previous night replayed endlessly in his mind. Every scream, every tear, every shattered relationship echoed inside him. Anger. Regret. Guilt. Emotions he had buried for years now clawed at his heart without mercy. He had always believed himself to be unbreakable, but today, even he couldn't stop the lone tear that escaped his eyes.

Just then, he sensed a familiar presence behind him.

Meera.

She stood quietly, saying nothing. Being much shorter than him, she tried to reach his face, rising on the tips of her toes, but it still wasn't enough. Understanding her silent attempt, Aarav slowly bent down until he was at her height. Meera gently brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead and, using the edge of her saree's pallu, carefully wiped away the tear rolling down his cheek.

She knew.

This wasn't merely the pain of Veer and Kirti's broken marriage.

It was something far deeper... something buried so profoundly that no one—not even his own family—knew about it.

Aarav slowly lifted his gaze to meet hers. His eyes, usually filled with authority and composure, now carried a vulnerability she had never witnessed before.

"Can I... hug you?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Meera didn't answer with words.

She simply nodded.

The very next second, Aarav wrapped his arms around her.

It was the first time he had embraced her—not out of responsibility, not out of obligation, but because his heart desperately needed a place to fall apart. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his hold around her tightening as though he feared she would disappear if he loosened his grip. Their racing heartbeats echoed in the silence between them.

"Please..." he whispered, his voice trembling. "Never leave me... please... never, ever leave me."

Meera's eyes softened. She didn't ask any questions, nor did she try to understand the storm he was hiding. She simply rested one hand on his back and gently stroked it, silently assuring him that, for this moment, he didn't have to carry the weight of the world alone.

In Riaan's room, silence lingered between the couple. The moment he entered, he carelessly pulled off his shirt and tossed it onto the bed before running a frustrated hand through his hair. Aarohi stood a few steps away, quietly watching him. She wanted to confront him, to ask why he had been treating her so coldly for the past few days, but every bitter memory of his behavior stopped her. Choosing silence over another argument, she turned toward the washroom.

Just as she reached the door, Riaan's low voice broke the silence.

"Why did Veer Bhai do something like that?"

His words weren't directed at anyone in particular. They sounded more like a question he was asking himself.

Aarohi paused for a brief second, glanced at him, but said nothing. Without another word, she disappeared inside the washroom.

A few minutes later, she stepped out after changing, only to find Riaan standing in the exact same spot. The room was quiet, and his eyes were fixed on her as if he had been waiting all this time. Pretending not to notice him, Aarohi picked up a towel and started drying her hair.

Before she could take another step, Riaan walked over and stood directly in front of her, blocking her way.

"Are you still angry with me?" he asked cautiously.

Aarohi looked at him with an expression that clearly said, Seriously?

Without answering, she tried to walk past him.

Riaan gently caught hold of her wrist and pulled her back.

"I'm sorry, jaan... Please, maaf kar do."

Aarohi immediately pushed him away and folded her arms across her chest.

"Oh, toh ab maafi maang rahe ho? Wah, Mr. Raichand!" she scoffed. "Remember? Uss din bina kisi wajah ke aapne mujhe itna kuch suna diya. Mujhe laga tha raat tak aapka gussa thanda ho jayega... lekin nahi! Agle din phir se wahi nautanki shuru kar di. Kabhi ignores karna, kabhi attitude dikhana. Aur ab seedha 'sorry jaan' bolne aa gaye?"

She let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Itni aasani se maaf kar dungi main? Bilkul nahi."

Riaan scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. For perhaps the first time in years, the ever-confident Raichand brother had absolutely no idea how to convince his angry wife.

The days slowly passed, and life, despite its wounds, refused to stop. Today was Raksha Bandhan.

By now, the Raichand family had accepted that Kirti and Veer's marriage had come to an end. Somewhere deep inside, they knew this separation was inevitable. Veer had never truly fallen in love with her, and Kirti... she had finally chosen herself. After a marriage that had left nothing but scars, she deserved the freedom to heal and begin again.No one knew where Kirti was.And for the first time, no one tried to find her.She needed peace more than she needed people.Veer, on the other hand, had not returned home since that night. There had been no calls, no messages—nothing. It was as if he had erased himself from the family.

Yet Raichand Villa was once again filled with the usual Raksha Bandhan preparations. Laughter echoed through the halls, servants rushed from one corner to another, and the aroma of festive dishes filled the air. But beneath the celebration, everyone carried a silence they refused to speak about.

Aarav sat alone on the living room couch, lost in thoughts that no one could see. His eyes were closed, but his mind had wandered years into the past.Raksha Bandhan had once been his favorite festival.It reminded him of the little girl who would chase him around the house with a rakhi in one hand and endless complaints in the other. The sister he never stopped teasing, the one who filled Raichand Villa with laughter and endless chaos. Those memories still lived vividly inside him, untouched by time.

A familiar presence interrupted his thoughts.

Opening his eyes, Aarav turned to find Vivaan standing behind him. His face was calm, but his eyes betrayed the emotions he had hidden for years.In a quiet voice, Vivaan asked,

"Did you miss her... Bhai?"

For a long moment, Aarav simply looked at him. His expression revealed nothing.

He slowly stood up, straightening the cuffs of his kurta."We should leave now," he said calmly. "It's already getting late. Ishani and Kiara must be waiting for us."

He took a step forward.

"Kab tak..."

Vivaan's voice stopped him.

"Kab tak aap Maa se naraz rahoge, Bhai?"

Aarav froze.

For a brief second, the silence between the two brothers became heavier than any conversation they had ever shared.

Aarav simply patted Vivaan's shoulder without answering and walked toward the exit. Vivaan sighed softly before following him downstairs.As they entered the living area, they found the entire Raichand family already gathered. The festive decorations, beautifully arranged thalis, and the fragrance of sweets tried their best to create the warmth of Raksha Bandhan, but the atmosphere still carried an unspoken heaviness.

"Aarav Bhai! Vivaan Bhai! Come quickly, we're waiting for you!" Kiara called out with a bright smile, trying to lighten the mood.

The two brothers walked over and took their seats beside Riaan. Everyone was present...

Except one.

An empty seat silently reminded them of Veer.No one spoke his name, yet every pair of eyes drifted toward the entrance every few moments, hoping... perhaps against all logic... that he would walk in. Dadi noticed the hesitation spreading through the room.With a gentle smile, she said, "Ishani... Kiara... rakhi baandho apne bhaiyon ko."The sisters exchanged uncertain glances.Just as Ishani lifted the rakhi thali...Creak...The main door slowly opened.Every conversation died.Every head turned toward the entrance.For a moment, the entire Raichand Villa fell into complete silence as everyone's eyes fixed on the person standing at the doorway.

Far away from the laughter and warmth of the Raichand family's , a completely different atmosphere surrounded another place. Inside a lavish yet dimly lit room, a mysterious woman sat gracefully on a luxurious black leather sofa. One leg was crossed elegantly over the other as she lazily scrolled through the latest business news on her tablet. Every headline carried only one name—the Raichand Group. Their company had once again dominated the market, their success growing with every passing day. A faint, unreadable smile appeared on her lips as she stared at the screen for a few more seconds. Without showing any emotion, she picked up her phone and dialed a number. The call was answered immediately. "Is everything ready?" she asked in a calm yet commanding voice. From the other side came a respectful reply, "Yes, Ma'am. Everything is ready." Satisfied, she simply replied, "Good." Without another word, she disconnected the call and placed the phone back on the table. Her eyes slowly returned to the news article displaying the Raichand family's photograph. She leaned back comfortably against the sofa, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest as a dark, sinister smile spread across her face. It wasn't the smile of someone seeking revenge—it was the smile of someone who had already set every piece of the game in motion, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Guess kro kon ho sakta hai 🥱and next update jald hi dungi tb tk ke liye love you 💞🫂