Author's POV

On one side of Mumbai, behind the tall, silent walls of Khanna Mansion, nothing moved.
No lights flickered. No doors creaked. No voices echoed in the grand hallways.
Since the party ended, not a single soul had spoken to each other.
Maybe it was guilt.
Maybe shame.
Or maybe the silence was louder than any apology could ever be.

But on the other end of the city, in the cozy warmth of Twinkle Mansion, there was a different kind of stillness. A softer one.

Ruhanika and Yuvraj were asleep.
Wounded hearts pressed together in the dark.
And downstairs, Twinkle was already wide awake, preparing something.

Something big.

Because today… someone was coming.

Not just someone.

More of her.
More of Ruhanika’s powers.

Twinkle wiped her hands, walked upstairs, and gently opened the bedroom door.
She peeked in—just to make sure Ruhi was still asleep—and gave a nod to herself.

But before she could turn around, she saw him.

Yuvraj.

He was leaning against the wall, his expression unreadable

And Twinkle, without even thinking, whispered,

“How is she? Did she stop crying?”
Then, clenching her jaw, she added,
“I swear, I’ll hire goons to beat that Yug If he again did something.

Yuvraj shook his head softly. His voice was calm but firm.

“She’s okay now. She cried herself to sleep. But she’s calm… at least for now.”

He paused.

“About Yug? I want to see him.”
Then he smiled bitterly.
“No, actually—I want to ruin him. Personally.”

Twinkle folded her arms, raised an eyebrow.

“Personally?”
She smirked.
“Well, maybe you’ll get to do that professionally too. Last night at the award ceremony… I overheard Mr. Khanna.”

Yuvraj straightened up a little.

“Ruhanika’s father?”

“Yes.”
Twinkle walked closer.

“He wants to collaborate with you. Business-wise. But he said something strange—he said Ruhanika is the key and the lock. If she says yes, the deal moves. If she says no, it ends.”

Yuvraj didn’t respond immediately.

Then… he smiled.

A slow, unreadable smile.

“That’s… a great piece of news for the morning.”
But then his smile faded.
His voice dropped.

“There’s something else.”

Twinkle saw the shift in his eyes.

“What?”

He looked toward the window before speaking.
His tone now heavier.
“She’s been invited back to Khanna Mansion. Her Dadu has called her.”

Silence.

Then Twinkle whispered,
“I knew it. Her Dadu and Dadi always loved her. I know they did. They tried so hard to stop her from leaving that day. But they couldn’t.”

Yuvraj let out a bitter chuckle.

“Everyone claims to love her, Twinkle. But all on their own terms.”
His jaw clenched.
“Someone was afraid of losing the business empire. Someone didn’t want to get disinherited. That’s not love. That’s plain, filthy selfishness.” he said

Twinkle didn’t argue.
She knew he was right.

She looked at him, her voice a little softer now.
“Let them be. We’ll deal with them later. Right now—someone else is coming.”
She smirked a little.
“It was supposed to be your surprise, for winning the award. But after last night… I think the surprise will be for Ruhi.”

Yuvraj raised a brow.

“Oh? So, we’re decorating your mansion now?”

Twinkle laughed faintly.

“I mean, I didn’t want to do it with you… but since it’s for her, I guess I can tolerate you for a few hours.”

Yuvraj smirked.
“Same here, Salisahiba

They both rolled their eyes.

But they smiled.

And then, without another word, both walked off toward the living room to start the preparations.

While upstairs…
Ruhanika was still asleep.

Author POV
Location: Khanna Mansion

The Khanna mansion, usually grand and glowing, felt different today. There was a silent tension in the air—like everyone knew a storm was coming, but no one dared to say it aloud.

Rudransh was the first to step out of his room that morning. His face was calm, but his eyes betrayed a heaviness he hadn’t shaken off since the night of the party. He silently scrolled through emails at the dining table when his grandfather’s voice echoed from the main lounge.

“Rudransh, I want everyone at the dining table. Call them.”

Without questioning, Rudransh nodded, stood up, and messaged in the family group, then went to call the ones not responding. Within minutes, the family began gathering around the long mahogany dining table—one by one, with hesitation, guilt, and confusion in their steps.

He was the first to break the silence.

“What happened, Dadu?”
Dadu looked around at each of them, his eyes firm yet hopeful.

“I want this mansion to shine today. Like Diwali. No less.”

There was a murmur. His daughter-in-law, still tense from last night, looked up sharply.

“Is someone coming today?”

Dadu’s eyes shifted toward Vikram and Veer, seated on the opposite side. His voice grew colder.

“Didn't you both tell them?”

Veer folded his arms and said bitterly,
“I didn’t think it was necessary.

Dadu straightened his back and announced:

“Ruhanika is coming to the Khanna mansion today. And I want everything perfect. No excuses. No drama. No disrespect. She is the daughter of this house, and will be welcomed like one.”

Everything stopped.

Someone gasped softly.

Ruhanika’s father was the first to react, confused and slightly tense.

“Why?”

Dadu's voice was iron this time.

“Why? Because I said so. Because she is my granddaughter. Because this house may have forgotten how to love her, but I haven’t. And today, she will walk in as the queen of this home.”

That one sentence shook the entire table.

Arohi, still pride-wounded from the party night, tried to protest.
“Dadu, if she comes, she’ll just start fights again—”

But Kabir cut him off.
“No. Ruhi will come, and no one will raise their voice. No one. Not anymore.”

Rohan, who had been silent until now, clenched his jaw.
“Just make sure Yuvraj doesn’t come. I won’t be able to handle myself if he’s here.”

Vikram snapped back, anger simmering in his voice.

“Yuvraj will come. He is her shadow. He has always been. He never left her like you all did. And you better stay in control today, because if you don’t... I won’t either.”

Ruhi’s aunt, trying to lighten the mood, chimed in with a soft smile.

“I’ll make her favourite... Chole Puri. She always used to smile with her first bite.”

But Ruhi’s mother stood up abruptly.

“No need. The drama she created yesterday was enough.”

Rudransh couldn’t take it anymore. His voice was calm but sharp as glass.

“Mom... the mistake was  ours.”

Then came a silence thick enough to drown in. Even Ruhi’s father softened for a second.

“Make the Chole Puri. Make everything. She might be broken right now... but she is still the queen of hearts. Especially mine.”

Servants started moving. Lights were being adjusted. Cooks were given lists.

But amidst all the decorations and welcome prep... there was still one shadow in the mansion. One person... who wasn’t preparing to welcome Ruhanika.

Someone was waiting to destroy her again.

Ruhanika’s POV

As my eyes fluttered open, a sharp headache greeted me. My head felt heavy… dizzy, almost as if I hadn’t rested at all.

And then it hit me.
Last night.
His words.
His accusations.

The pain came crashing down like a tsunami. I sat up, trying to breathe, trying to feel normal—but how could I, when once again I had become that same shattered version of myself?

The same broken girl I was seven years ago.

I dragged myself to the mirror, slowly, unwillingly. And when I looked up—I didn’t see beauty, or strength, or anything even remotely alive.

Just a ghost of someone who once believed in family love.

I pushed back the strands of my hair and composed myself—because crying wasn't an option anymore.
I stepped out and walked toward the staircase… and then I paused.

The mansion… it was being decorated. Bright fabrics, fresh flowers, soft lighting—everything looked like celebration. For a moment, I thought maybe it was for him. Maybe he won an award. I wanted to smile for him, wanted to hug him and say, “I’m proud of you.”
But I remembered…

I had ruined his night.

I stepped down the first few stairs quietly, heart aching, until Twinkle called out
“Stop, Ruhi.”

I turned.
“I’m sorry, Twinkle… for yesterday. I just—”

But before I could finish, she walked up and hugged me tightly, so tightly that for a second, I almost forgot the pain in my chest.

“Ruhi,” she whispered, “You don’t have to pretend with me. You don’t have to say sorry for being emotional. Understand?”

I didn’t say anything.

She pulled back and smiled softly.

“I’m always with you… my Ruhi.”

And for the first time in hours, I smiled.

And then I saw him.

Yuvraj.

He was near the kitchen, ordering something to the cook. His sleeves were half-folded, his hair messy like always, and he looked… like my safe place.

I turned to Twinkle and asked softly, “Party?”

She smiled.

“Yuvraj won the award, right?” I asked again, guessing.

But she shook her head.

“Not for Yuvraj. For you.”

I blinked. “But I didn’t win anything.”

She just smirked and replied,

“Just wait and watch.”

That’s when Yuvraj walked up, a boyish grin playing on his lips.

“Good morning, Butterfly.”

Something inside me fluttered.

I smiled back gently.

“Good morning to you too…”

And then he came closer…
His arms gently pulled me into a hug, soft and protective, like nothing could touch me while he held me.

“Are you fine now?” he whispered against my hair.

I didn’t even think. I just spoke what my heart screamed for.
“As long as you’re with me… I’m always fine.”

He smiled—genuinely this time, the kind of smile that reaches the eyes.
“Then you’ll always be fine,” he said, touching my cheek with his thumb.
“Because I’m always with you.”

There was a pause between us

I looked around, still confused about the decorations.
“What’s all this for?” I asked curiously.

He grinned, hands in his pockets like a boy who just pulled off something mischievous.

“It’s a surprise for you, Butterfly.”

I tilted my head. “But you won the award. Shouldn’t you be the one getting the celebration?”

His reply made my heart burst in slow motion.
“My award is you. Always has been. Always will be.”

I didn’t say anything. Just stared. And smiled. Because moments like these—you don’t ruin them with too many words.

And then…

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang.

Before I could react, Twinkle sprinted to the door, shouting,
“They’ve come!”

I blinked. “Who?”

Yuvraj smirked like he’d been waiting for this.

He stepped behind me and slowly placed his hand over my eyes.

“Close your eyes, Butterfly. Trust me.”

I giggled slightly, letting him guide me, his hand still over my eyes, walking me down the hallway toward the front door.

My heart was racing.

And then—

He removed his hand.

And I froze.

My eyes widened as I whispered,

“Oh my God.”

There they stood—Shraddha Di, Nakul Bhai, and Arjun Bhai—smiling at me like a dream.

Without a second thought, I ran.

Straight into Shraddha Di arms.

I hugged her with full force, like all the pieces of me had found their place again.

“I missed you, I almost yelled. “Why didn’t you come yesterday?! You know how important it was for him—you should’ve been here! I’m so angry with you!”

Shraddha di laughed, holding me tightly.

“Calm down, calm down!” she said, pulling back to cup my face. “I wanted to come… but I just couldn’t. I’m sorry.”

Before I could respond, Nakul Bhai and Arjun Bhai walked closer.

“So you won’t wish us?” Nakul asked dramatically.
“You won’t even hug us?” Arjun added with a teasing smirk.

I wiped my tears and smiled wide, stepping forward to hug them both—my brothers, my constants.

“I missed you… all of you.”

Arjun bhai ruffled my hair and said,
“So what now? You gonna cry outside the mansion or are we allowed to enter?”

And before I could reply, Twinkle rolled her eyes and said loudly,

“Oh, come in, please!”

As they stepped inside the mansion, I couldn’t hold back the storm of questions I’d been saving.
"You guys! You three are the most important people in Yuvraj’s life—and none of you showed up last night? You cancelled at the last moment! I hate all of you!"
My voice cracked midway. My heart was still sore from everything, but this hurt too.
"You should’ve come," I said, my tone softer now. "You should’ve seen him... he looked so happy holding that award."

Shraddha B tried to reach for my hand.
“We’re sorry, Chutki…” she said.
I just rolled my eyes and looked away.
“Whatever,” I muttered under my breath.

But before we could even sit at the dining table, my phone buzzed.
Vikram Bhai.
Yuvraj gently touched my hand and said,
“Speaker.”
I nodded and turned it on.

“Are you fine, Ruhi?” Vikram Bhai’s voice echoed through the room. “Did you eat anything?”

“I’m fine, Bhai. I was just going to eat.”
“Okay. I told you about Dadu... He wants to meet you.” He said

“I know. I’ll come,” I said confidently, trying to sound unaffected.

But then his voice turned serious.
“Ruhi, he’s called you today. In one hour. He knows I’ve been in contact with you... and he said he wants you to stay the night at Khana Mansion. He wants you back. Just for one night. For the family.”

My heart dropped.
That family?

“I’m sorry, Bhai,” I replied instantly, voice firm. “There are people here who actually value me. Who actually showed up for me. I’m not leaving them for some so-called family who only remembers me when they need something.”

Before Vikram Bhai could reply, Yuvraj stepped in.
“We’ll come,” he said calmly. “In one hour. We’ll stay one night.”

I turned to him, shocked.
“Yuvi! Why would you—”

Before I could finish, Nakul Bhai joined in.
“Are you serious, Yuvraj? We just arrived. We didn’t even eat yet!”

But Yuvraj smiled. That wicked, calm smile that screamed danger.
“We’re going,” he repeated. “I want to see how low they can stoop for their image. I want to see their limits—how fake their apologies are. And tomorrow,” he turned to all of us, “tomorrow we’ll have our own day out, night out, everything. No interruptions. Just us.

Twinkle rolled her eyes and smirked,
“Yes, day out, night out, and then a whole make-out session, right?”

“Twinkle!” I shot her a glare, cheeks burning.

But Yuvraj grinned, leaned closer to me and whispered,
“She’s not wrong, darling.”

I looked helplessly at Shraddha B.
“See? This is your brother.”

She laughed.
“I don’t know him. Handle him yourself.”

Then Twinkle turned to them.
“Come, I’ll show you your rooms. Get freshened up.”
I simply nodded. Something in me stirred. The broken girl from yesterday? She wasn’t going to that mansion. Only the unshakable Ruhanika was.

As I turned, Yuvraj leaned down and whispered into my ear.
“I’m with you, Butterfly. Now we’ll show them. No one gets to hurt you—not anymore.”

And I just smiled.
Because I wasn’t going alone.
This time... I had my people behind me.

Author P.O.V.

The entire Khanna Mansion was dipped in uneasiness and anticipation. It wasn’t just another day… it was the day their Ruhanika was coming home.

Tears welled up in the eyes of her brothers.
Every detail was being looked after, every flower arrangement double-checked, every seat cleaned twice.
They didn’t want to take a single chance.
Because after seven long years, their little sister was stepping into the same house that once broke her.

And now, they had to apologise. Not just for what happened...
But for every second she felt unloved.

Her Chacha and Chachi stood near the staircase, trying to act normal, but their emotions betrayed them.
They were happy.
Because no matter what the world said, they were the only ones who ever loved her silently.
They missed her more than words could ever explain.

But while the house prepared with love... some hearts whispered something else.

Aarohi and her mother stood at the corner, whispering, scheming, gritting teeth.
They weren’t waiting to welcome her.
They were waiting to humiliate her.
To remind her that no matter how much she bloomed outside...
In their eyes, she was still not enough.

And her so-called parents?

Her father looked oddly cheerful. Not because of her. But because Yuvraj was coming.
For him, that meant he could talk about deals.

And her mother?
Not too happy.
Not too sad.
Just... spiritually absent. As if Ruhanika’s return didn’t mean anything to her at all.

But the only two people who truly stood frozen—whose eyes didn’t blink even once—were her Dadu and Dadi.
Eyes glued to the gate.
Hands clutched in anxious waiting.

And then… Dadu's voice thundered through the silence.

“I don’t want any chaos today.”
“I don’t want anyone—anyone—disrespecting my granddaughter.”
His eyes narrowed sharply at Aarohi and her mother.
“Especially you two. And no one will bring up the past. No taunts. No judgments. Nothing.”
“She is coming back, and we will make her happy. That’s final.”

Dadi stepped forward with trembling lips.
“I am requesting you all with folded hands… please don’t create a scene.”
“Not today. If she walks out of this house again with tears in her eyes…”
Her voice broke.
“I will never forgive anyone.”

And before anyone could speak, Rudransh voice came from the entrance of the living room.

“Dadu, Dadi… don’t worry.”
“We’ll handle everything.”
Just as he finished, the sound of a car echoed in the silence.

Everyone turned.

The doors swung open, and the family rushed to the gate.

And then...

They saw her.

Ruhanika.
Wearing a soft pastel traditional outfit, eyes lined with kohl, lips calm but unreadable. Her aura? Unshakable.

And beside her…

Yuvraj.
In a black shirt and casual pants, sleeves rolled, hair perfectly messy, smirk resting at the edge of his lips.

Their fingers were locked—tight.

Hand in hand.
Shoulder to shoulder.

Ruhanika P.O.V.

The moment our car stopped in front of Khanna Mansion, my throat tightened.

Those gates. That familiar driveway.
The air still carried the scent of my childhood—half-burnt memories and half-healed wounds.

I looked up, blinking fast. My emotions were storming, but my tears—those weren’t for this place anymore.

Yuvraj’s hand tightened around mine.

“You have to be strong here, Butterfly,” he whispered softly.
“Break down in front of me, I’ll always be there. But for these people… hold your crown.”

I nodded.

The gates opened, and there they stood.

Dadu. Dadi. Vikram Bhaiya. Veer Bhaiya.
Smiling like they were welcoming someone they never let go.

Behind them, my so-called four brothers stood like statues

And then—my parents.

My father, distracted. My mother, emotionless.

Dadi walked forward with a thali in her hands, her eyes already glistening.
She hugged me like I still mattered. Like her arms had been empty without me.

“I missed you, Ladoo,” she whispered, voice trembling.

“I missed you too,” I said back, softly. The only truth I’d admit today.

I bent down to touch Dadu’s feet. Yuvraj followed. Dadu smiled faintly.

“So… you’re the one who defeated my grandson, Rudransh?”

Yuvraj stood straight, no fear in his voice.
“Yes, sir. It was me.”

Then he turned slightly, his eyes landing on Rudransh.
“I defeated him—professionally. And personally too.”

Rudransh clenched his jaw, but didn’t speak.
Good for him.

Dadu raised a brow.
“Your fiancé?”

“Yes,” I replied clearly, holding Yuvraj’s hand tighter.

Dadi did the aarti, tears still falling, and we entered the house together.

That’s when the first crack came.

“Mr. Singhania, I didn’t know you were invited,” Ruhan smirked.
“We invited our sister—Ruhi.”

I turned around slowly, facing him directly. My voice calm. But every word a knife.
“It’s Ruhanika for outsiders. Ruhi is for family. So maybe next time you speak, remember where you stand.

He opened his mouth again, but I cut him off.
“And about my fiancé—
He’s my home. My family. Wherever I go, he walks beside me. Because unlike you all—he never left me.”

Silence.

Then warmth wrapped around me—Chachi. Her eyes teary, smile soft.

“I made Chole Puri for you,” she whispered.

I smiled for real, for the first time.

“Then I’ll eat it for sure. But only if you eat with me.”

She hugged me tight.
Then Vikram Bhaiya walked up, trying to lighten the air.
“All done?”

“All done,” I replied, with a grin that almost felt like peace.

But peace never lasts long in this house.

“Hi, Yuvraj,” a voice purred.

I turned.
Aarohi.
“I’m Ruhanika’s sister.”

Yuvraj didn’t even glance twice.

He just looked at me, then said,
“Let’s go, Butterfly.”

We turned, but I wasn’t done.

I took one step toward her. Just one.

And whispered, just loud enough.
“Stay away from him, Aarohi.”
“Because if you even try to come close
The accusations you once put on me in childhood… might just turn true.”

Her face dropped.

And then—he came.

Chachu.

His eyes were heavy with guilt, his voice softer than it used to be.
“I wanted to be here with you longer, Ruhanika... but I have to go. I’m sorry.

I didn’t smile. Didn’t pretend. Didn’t fake anything for their comfort anymore.
“It’s okay, Chachu,” I said, voice cold but steady.
“I’ve been living without you for 7 years. One more day doesn’t make a difference.”

He looked like someone had punched the breath out of his chest.
His face dropped. His shoulders slouched.
But what did he expect?

A warm welcome after years of silence?
Even if I tried to be normal... I couldn’t.
Because these people?
They didn’t stop me from being sent away.
They let it happen. Chose silence.
And silence, when you have power, is betrayal too.

Vikram Bhaiya came up to me, reading my expressions better than most ever could.

“Ruhi, come here. Sit,” he said gently.

I nodded slightly and walked over, sitting beside Yuvraj.
He placed his hand on mine under the table—no words needed.

Then Vikram Bhaiya and Veer Bhaiya sat beside me, as if silently trying to build a wall of protection around me.

I was about to take a breath when suddenly—

“Hello, Ruhanika,” a voice cut through the air like an old wound reopening.

And there she was.

Buaji

She smiled that same smile.

That fake, sweet smile that used to hide all her dirty intentions.

"You’ve grown up so much, Ruhanika," Buaji said, trying to sound soft.

I stayed quiet.

But of course, she couldn’t just stop there.

"I still remember what you did that day… Seven years ago. You left this house like it was a jail, like we were monsters. And now you’re back—holding a stranger’s hand, calling him your fiancé? Yuvraj Singhania? Do you even know what kind of people he belongs to?"

I smiled and said
"You know what’s funny, Buaji?"
"You remember what I did seven years ago. But not what you all did."

She flinched.

I didn’t stop and said
"Yes, I left this house like a jail. Because that’s exactly what it was. A place where daughters are compared, where bruises are ignored, where silence is more dangerous than shouting.
"You talk about Yuvraj’s background. Funny. A man who gave me love when my own blood didn’t. Who stood beside me when your sons were too busy throwing stones at my courage.

Yuvraj stood behind me, voice calm but full of fire and said
"With all due respect, Ma’am—Ruhanika doesn’t belong to anyone’s expectations. She chooses. And she chose me. And for that, I’ll spend my life proving her right."

The room fell into silence.

But of course—

Rudransh.

He just had to speak.

"Ruhanika, don’t be rude to Buaji. She’s elder to you. And she’s just—"

"—Just what, Rudransh?"
I turned, expression blank, voice like ice.
"Elder? Does that make her right?"

He looked stunned.
"Don’t try to wear the mask of morality now. You’ve already played the villain in my story." I said

His fists clenched.
I’m not your enemy, Ruhanika." he said

"You were never strong enough to be one." I replied

He looked away.
Good. Look away. That’s what cowards do.

I looked at Buaji again and said
"So, next time before asking how I managed to be with a man like Yuvraj… ask yourself how I managed to survive this house."

And then… Aarohi opened her mouth.

"Ruhanika, we are your family," she said, pretending her voice could melt the mess she contributed to.

"And Rudransh bhai, he’s just trying to be soft with you. Your parents—yes, they loved me more—but they loved you too."

I smiled and said.
"First of all, Aarohi
"I wasn’t talking to you."

She blinked.

"Second thing, I don’t want Rudransh’s soft side. I don’t want any side of him."
"And I don’t want any of you." I said

Their faces froze.

"I came here only for my Dadu and Dadi. Not for the people who watched me break and applauded silently."

She opened her mouth again, and I didn’t give her the chance and said.
"And about parents?"
"Sweetheart, you should never speak about parents."
"Because if I remember correctly, your own father left you when you were what—seven? Maybe eight?"
"He wasn’t even happy when you were born.That man threw you in the gutter."
"And my so-called father saved you, didn’t he?"

She gasped.
But I wasn’t done.

"Your own father hated you, not me. He walked out on you and your mother because he thought you were a curse. A brat. And maybe he was right."

"Because you still are."

That’s when my mother finally found her voice.

"Ruhanika, mind your language and your words."

I turned to her, unfazed.

"And you mind your tone… Mr. Khanna."
"I’m not here to argue with people like you."

My father stepped forward, frustration crawling up his face.

"What people Ruhanika? We’re trying to be good to you."

"And I didn’t ask you to."
"I never begged for your kindness. I begged for your presence. And you failed."I said

The air shifted.

Veer bhai and Vikram bhai stood up and said
"Can you all stop it now?"
"Ruhi has come home after seven goddamn years!"
"And Buaji, please. Everyone knows what happened. Don’t act innocent now."

But of course, someone had to ruin it again.

Aarohi.

She looked at Yuvraj with disgust in her voice.
UV… how could you even like her? Let alone love her? There must be some mismatch. Right?"

I saw red.
I didn’t speak.
I picked up the nearest juice glass…
…and poured it all over her face.

Everyone gasped.

"RUHI!"

"RUHANIKA!"

I raised my hand, stopping them mid-scold.

"Don’t."

I stepped forward.

"Don’t ever call him UV. That name… doesn’t belong to you."
"It’s Mr. Singhania for you. Actually… not even that."

I looked her in the eye.

"First you stole my parents."
"Then my brothers."
"And now you dare eye my Yuvraj?"

"Let me remind you, Aarohi..."
"He never even looked at you. And if you ever try to go near him again..."

I leaned closer.
"I’ll remind you why I’m the storm this family tried to silence."

The glass left my hand, and so did the control I was barely holding on to.

But before anyone could dare raise their voice again—

He stood up.

Yuvraj.

His chair screeched against the floor as he moved beside me, his eyes on them… not me.

“Enough,” he said.

Just that word.

But the rage in his voice silenced every damn soul in that hall.

His hand gently caught mine, fingers cold from the glass but warm with protection. He didn’t say anything to me. Just brought my hand close to his chest… and kissed it.

Right in front of everyone.

I could feel my breath shaking. But his hold didn’t.

And then… he turned to them.

One by one.

“You all think you have a right to judge her?”

His voice was venom wrapped in velvet and he said
“Rudransh..
“She always called you her protector. Her shield. Her Bhaiya. But tell me—when she was screaming inside, where the hell were you?”
“You let her walk away. You let her break down. You could’ve stopped her.”
“But you didn’t. You let her rot in silence and then had the audacity to miss her."

He turned to Kabir.
“You’re a doctor, right?”
“You heal people. Diagnose minds. Read pain in bodies.”
“But your own sister was dying in front of you and you labelled her indisciplined.”
“You judged her. Without knowing that the word discipline was being used like a knife inside this house.”
He scoffed, eyes narrowing.
“She wasn’t undisciplined. She was just unloved.”

And then… Ruhan.

Yuvraj’s tone lowered. But it wasn’t soft.
“Her twin. Her mirror. But clearly, not her shadow.”
“You were supposed to feel her. But you chose to ignore her.”
“You watched the love divide and you swallowed it like it was normal.”
“You saw how your parents favoured others and you stood in line instead of standing by her.”

The silence was suffocating.

And then his voice dropped to the lowest it had gone.

Yug

He didn’t yell. He didn’t rage.

He just said:
“She loved you.”
“She loved all of you.”
“And you broke her… like she was disposable.”

I watched each of their faces crumble as he stabbed them with the truth they deserved.

But Yuvraj wasn’t done.

He turned to my parents.

The people who gave me birth… and nothing else.

His voice turned colder than I’d ever heard.

“And you two…”
“You brought her into this world just to push her out of your hearts.”

“A child cries in silence, and you both wore earplugs called ‘reputation’.”

“She needed love, and you gave her lectures.”

“She needed hugs, you gave her comparisons.”

“She needed parents, you gave her punishment.”

His fists clenched beside me.

“Don’t call her. That name doesn’t belong to you anymore.”
“You lost the right to name her the day you abandoned her while still living in the same house.”

He looked at me then, eyes holding everything—fire, fury… and unbreakable loyalty.

“You’re not Ruhanika anymore,” he whispered.
“You’re My girl. My storm. My strength.”

And then, without asking anyone’s permission, he wrapped his arm around me—

—and kissed my temple.

The room was still.

Veer and Vikram Bhaiya moved closer, their hands gentle on my shoulders.

“Let’s go, Ruhanika… just sit for a while, okay? Come to our room…”

I almost nodded.

Almost gave in.

But then—

Her voice.
My mother

“Ruhanika, wait.”

And I froze.

“You really think outsiders can undo your sins?”

Her voice cracked through the air like thunder.

“You think we are villains just because we didn’t feed your ego?”
“What you did seven years ago… have you forgotten?”
“You were never perfect, Ruhanika. Never.”

My fists clenched.

But she didn’t stop.

“We loved Aarohi because she was more talented than you. She was abandoned by her father, and we brought her in because we had a heart. And you—you were the happiest when she came, remember?”

“And then what did you do? You started bullying her. We saw the bruises. The marks. The way you’d glare at her like she stole something from you.”

“She just wanted to be your sister.”

I laughed.

Laughed like pain meant nothing anymore.
“Really, Mother India?”
“You believed her? You actually believed her over me?”
“And you still have the audacity to say you never did partiality?”

My voice was shaking now, not because I was scared…

But because I wanted to scream.

I started to move.

And then she said it

“We never wanted you, Ruhanika.”

I stopped.

The world stopped.

She didn’t even flinch.

“We never wanted you. We never did.”

Someone behind me—Ruhan maybe, or Kabir—muttered a weak “Mom, stop—”

But she shut them up like she always shut me.
“Let me speak! Let her finally know the truth.
“We never wanted a girl.”
“We always prayed for a son. Not because we had some 90s thinking crap, but because we just… didn’t want a girl in our life. And then you came.”

“Your father wasn’t happy. I wasn’t happy. But there you were.”

“And we tried. We tried to love you. But you became a bully. You weren’t a topper. You weren’t obedient. You weren’t anything we wanted.”

“You were a mistake we couldn’t return.”

I didn’t cry.

Not yet.

But my lungs stopped working the way they usually did.

And the only sentence that echoed in my skull on repeat was—

“We never wanted you, Ruhanika.”

I slowly turned to look at her.
I smiled.

A dead, empty smile.

“It’s okay,” I whispered.

And then I walked away.
Up to the terrace.

They never wanted me.

And maybe that was the truth.

But I didn’t need them to want me anymore.

Because I… finally wanted myself.

Author’s Note

Hey lovelies 🤍

This is my first book, and honestly, I poured so much of myself into it. I know it’s not perfect, but I truly wanted it to feel real. Every chapter, every moment — I wrote it with love.

I just have a small request...
To those who have read my story but didn’t vote — please do. Just one little tap on that 🌟 vote button can mean everything to a new writer like me.

It’s not about numbers. It’s about feeling seen.
And your support will truly encourage me to keep writing, to keep growing, and to continue this story that means so much to me.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
– Your Author, Loving 🫶