Ruhanika’s POV

As the sun rays kissed my skin through the half-open curtains, I lazily blinked and opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was my phone buzzing on the side table. I picked it up and saw 10 missed calls, 24 unread messages—all from Yuvraj, and 2 messages from Twinkle.

I shut my eyes again and took a deep breath.

Yesterday was a mess. After the argument with Rudransh and Aarohi, I stormed into my room, locked the door, and just slept.

I picked up my phone and dialed his number.
He picked up on the first ring.

"How are you? Are you fine? You didn’t pick up my calls. Did anything happen?" he bombarded me instantly.

“Calm down, Yuvi. Nothing has happened. I just overslept.” I said softly.

“Huh? You're saying the truth?” he asked again.

“Yes.” I replied.

And then he said to me, “Okay… we’ll talk about your so-called family when you come. You have to come to my office in 30 minutes. I want to introduce you to all my colleagues and my employees.”

I paused for a second and said,
“Okay… I’ll be coming.”

After Yuvraj’s call ended, I stood still for a second. Staring at my phone like it held all the answers.
But it didn’t. It never did.

I got up, freshened up, took a long shower—trying to scrub off yesterday’s filth, their words, their hypocrisy, their fake concern.
I stood in front of the mirror .
I looked myself in the eyes, just once.

"You’ve survived worse, Ruhi. You’ll survive this too."

I walked downstairs, steps steady, chin up, soul tired.
And just before I entered the living room, I muttered under my breath.

"Not again… I have to face them again."

I stepped in.

Dada ji was reading the newspaper. Dadi was busy arranging the temple flowers.

"Good morning, Dada ji… Dadi," I said politely.

"Good morning, Ruhi beta," Dadi smiled warmly, and Dada ji gave a gentle nod.

"Where are you going so early, Ruhi beta?" Dadi asked sweetly.

Before I could open my mouth, a voice I didn’t want to hear cut through the air like poison.
"You’re going to Yuvraj’s office? That’s great."
It was him. My so-called father.
"Just take this file and make him sign it at any cost. We’ll get 50% profit from this deal."

I looked at him.
Not with love. Not with anger.
Just... with the purest form of disgust.

And then I turned to Dada ji instead.
"I’m leaving," I said calmly, ignoring the snake behind me.

But snakes don’t stay silent for long.

"Didn’t you hear me, Ruhanika?"
He came in front of me, holding that file like it was some treasure.
"Take this file and—"

I stepped closer.
"If I’m ignoring you, that means I don’t want to listen about this deal."
My voice was cold. Unapologetic. Sharp.
"Because of this deal, you were manipulating Yuvraj into marrying your puppet-daughter. And now that I’m  engaged, you suddenly care about this deal?"

I laughed.
"Wow. Such money-minded people you are."

My eyes locked with his, and I saw that slight twitch in his jaw.
It fed me.
"Are you out of your fucking mind, my dear father, to think I’ll ever beg Yuvraj for your benefit?"

His face went red. Boiled in pride.
But before he could reply—
"Ruhanika! Be in your limits!"
My mother’s voice came out sharp and dramatic, as always.

I tilted my head slowly.

"The day I cross my limits..."
I walked closer and dropped my voice, every word like a dagger.
"...will be the day your entire Khanna empire turns into ashes. And trust me..."
"I’ll be the one holding the matchstick."

"Ruhi... we just care about you, that’s why we’re saying this," ruhan said from behind, his voice softer now, like suddenly guilt was on sale.

I turned back slowly. My eyes blank. My mouth twisted into the fakest smile I could manage.
"Care?" I scoffed.
"You don’t care. You just want to control."

His lips parted to say something else but I raised a hand.
"I don’t want your concern. Can’t you understand that much?"
My voice cracked through the silence like glass breaking.

"Oh God... you people are just sick."
I laughed, but it wasn’t joy. It was exhaustion. Frustration. Fury.

And just when I thought the circus had ended,
Kabir’s voice echoed from behind.
"I’ll drop you wherever you’re going."

I froze for a second.
Not because I was touched.
But because the audacity still shocked me.

I slowly turned, eyes sharp like blades.
"Drop me?"
A dry chuckle escaped my lips.
"Did you drop me somewhere in the last seven years?"

"No, no Kabir," I mocked, tilting my head.
"Save the sweet brother act for your cousin sister, not for me."

He flinched, but I didn't stop.

And then Rudransh voice—like salt on an open wound—joined in.
"At least have breakfast, Ruhi. Please."

I let out a bitter laugh and shook my head.
"Breakfast?"
"You people don’t get it, do you?"

I looked at all of them—their faces pale, guilty, some pretending, some not.
"I don’t want any relation with any of you."
"Stop forcing me into this mess just because it’s convenient for your reputation now."
"I was dead to you for seven years. Let me stay that way."

And then I turned to the room—my eyes scanning each silent face.
"If anyone else has something fake and dramatic to say—go ahead. Speak now."

A pause.
No one said anything.
So I smiled—one last time.

"If not," I said, stepping out the door,
"Then goodbye. Because I’m not interested in this Khanna bullshit anymore."

Author’s POV

As soon as the black car stopped in front of Singhania Empires, Ruhanika exhaled deeply.
One last breath of strength… before stepping into his world.
The car door opened, and her heels clicked against the marble pavement as she stepped out, fierce yet graceful, her presence catching eyes even from afar.

And there he was—Yuvraj Singhania—standing right at the main entrance, arms folded, eyes already fixed on her like she was all that mattered in the world.

“You’re late,” he said, walking toward her with that unbothered yet clearly concerned tone.

Ruhanika rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath,
“Got caught again in conflict.”

His brows furrowed instantly.
“What?”

She sighed.
“Nothing. Just… my so-called father wants to lock a business deal with you.”
And then… she let out a laugh.
But her eyes glistened.

That painful, sarcastic kind of laugh you give when betrayal is too familiar.
Yuvraj didn’t ask anything else.

Instead, he clenched his jaw and said,
“We’ll deal with them later. For now, just come inside.”

He held out his hand.
She took it.

And they walked in, hand in hand—like two storms walking side by side, ready to own the damn world.

The automatic doors opened, and the moment they stepped in, every eye turned towards them.
And then…

Yuvraj stood tall, turned to his team, and raised his voice with confidence and pride.

“Everyone!”
People started gathering.
The buzz in the office turned into a pause.

He glanced at Ruhanika, then faced the room.
“As most of you know, I recently got engaged.”
A soft gasp. A few knowing smiles.
“And today, I want to officially introduce her to all of you.”
He reached for her hand again, pulled her slightly closer.

“This is the woman who holds my heart. The woman I love, respect, and will protect at all costs…”
He turned and looked at her with pure pride.

“…Meet Ruhanika Singhania.”

The office broke into applause.

Some employees clapped loudly.
Some smiled shyly.

One of the girls from HR came forward with a bouquet.
“Congratulations, ma’am. You’re stunning.”

Another manager chuckled and said,
“Sir, she’s way out of your league!”

Ruhanika just smiled—gracefully, quietly—like the queen she was.

Someone else whispered,
“You’re lucky, ma’am. He talks about you more than business.”

And just for a second…
That lost girl inside her—who once cried for love, for respect, for belonging—she felt seen.

She wasn’t a Khanna anymore.
She was Ruhanika Singhania.

Just as the last person left after congratulating them, Yuvraj looked at Ruhanika with a soft smirk.
“By the way, did you even eat breakfast?”

She raised her brow.
“Did you?”

He chuckled, shaking his head.
“Nope.”

She sighed.
“Let’s go to your personal room then. I need peace.”

Without waiting, she started walking toward his cabin like she owned the place.

And she did.

He followed behind, hand casually placed on her back as they entered his private office—spacious, silent, and luxuriously minimal, just like him.

The door closed.

She sat on the couch, kicked off her heels, and leaned back.

Yuvraj opened the side cabinet and took out the neatly packed breakfast his staff always left for him.

While placing it on the table, she asked softly,
“Where are  Nakul, and Arjun bhai?”

He poured juice into two glasses.
“They’re out with Veer. There’s a deal happening.”

She looked up immediately.
“Deal? Which deal?”

Yuvraj raised a brow and smirked a little.
“One your father doesn’t know about.”

Her eyes widened in mock amusement.
“Ooooh. The day he finds out… there’ll be an explosion in the Khanna House.”

He passed her the juice and laughed,
“Exactly. I’m keeping my helmet ready.”

They both started eating breakfast casually, teasing each other in between—throwing tiny pieces of bread and acting like they weren’t in the middle of a power play that could shake families.

But the moment slowed down when he softly asked,
“So… what happened from yesterday? You didn’t say much.”

Ruhanika paused mid-bite.

And then she sighed.

She told him everything.

And Yuvraj sat through it all—silent, jaw clenched, fist tightening around his spoon.

Finally, he muttered under his breath,
“They just don’t get it. That you don’t want them anymore…”

She nodded quietly, but then her face changed.

Something else started bothering her.
Yuvraj noticed.

“What happened?” he asked.

Her voice came out soft, almost like a whisper.
“Yug’s birthday.”

She blinked twice.
“It’s after two days. And I don’t know what to do…”

She looked away, a strange pain surfacing on her face.
The kind of pain you carry for a child who once clung to you like home.
“Before seven years… I used to do everything for his birthday. The whole house used to light up. I cooked for him, decorated everything, even chose his clothes. I was his second mother…”

Her voice cracked.
“But now... now it feels like I don’t even exist.”

Yuvraj moved closer.
He didn’t give fake sympathy. He didn’t say “It’ll be okay.”

He just whispered,
“We’ll look at this together.”

Because some wounds don’t need words.

Just presence.

Yuvraj’s POV

As soon as we finished the last bite of our breakfast, I looked at her—really looked at her.
She was still trying to act normal, but I could see the storm behind her smile.

“Let’s go somewhere,” I said casually, like I wasn’t already planning this in my head since yesterday.

She blinked.
“Where?”

I leaned back, grinning.
“It’s a surprise.”

She narrowed her eyes.
“Yuvraj, it’s your  day in this office, and now you’re just—”

“Shhh, butterfly,” I interrupted, placing my finger softly on her lips.
“I know. But I also know I don’t want to waste this day stuck between deals and deadlines.”

She opened her mouth to argue again, but I didn’t let her.

“Let’s go.”

“But—”

“No buts. Just trust me.”

I stood up and walked to the drawer near my desk. She kept looking at me like I was up to something—which I absolutely was.

“Wait,” I turned back to her, holding a sleek box in my hand.
“I have something for you.”

Her brows pulled together in confusion as she stood up.

I walked closer, placed the box in her hands, and whispered—

“Go change into this. I want my butterfly to match the day I have planned for her.”

She looked at me.

After some time

The door opened softly.
And then I saw her.
Wearing the dress I picked.

Hair open, no extra touch-up—just her, in the rawest, most beautiful version.

She stepped in slowly, holding the hem of the dress slightly. Her eyes found mine… and then shifted away, a little hesitant, a little unsure.

She wasn’t trying to look perfect.
She just was.

“Butterfly…” I breathed out, standing up from the couch.

She looked at me, not smiling, just… taking me in.
“It’s not too much?” she asked, quietly.

“No. It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”
I took a step forward, then another.
“You wear it like it was made just for you.”

Her eyes met mine again. And this time—she didn’t look away.

Something about that moment slowed time. She wasn’t blushing. She wasn’t playing along.
She was just standing there, trying to figure out if she deserved this softness.

And I wanted to scream yes.

But instead—I offered my hand.

She looked down… and then slowly placed her hand in mine.
I didn’t say a word after that.

We walked out together. Side by side. Just like it’s always meant to be.

The car was already waiting.

I opened the door for her, and for the first time in years… she didn’t hesitate.

She sat inside quietly.

I moved to the driver’s seat.

As soon as the car halted, I stepped out and moved to her side. She looked at me with those curious eyes, but before she could say anything, I placed my hand gently over them.

“Come. Follow me” I whispered, guiding her step by step, feeling her heartbeat pick up with each move forward.

She held onto my hand tightly, slightly nervous, slightly excited. God, I loved that about her.
We walked a few more steps, and then I slowly removed my hand from her eyes.

She stood frozen.

Her mouth fell open, and her eyes lit up like fireflies in the night.

“Oh my God… you did this? You really?” she gasped, turning to look at me, then again at the view in front of her.
“It’s so beautiful. You know… this was on my bucket list. I had written it in my secret diary…”

I smiled.

“I know.”

Her smile disappeared, her eyes narrowed like I just committed a crime.

“So basically… you again stole my secret diary, didn’t you?”

I chuckled, raising my hands in defense. “Calm down, butterfly. Let’s have a dance instead.”

She laughed and shook her head.
“No. I don’t want any dance.”

“Are you sure?” I stepped closer.

She nodded and turned back to the view. “Yes… I just want to live in this moment. I want to see this… It’s so beautiful…”

Then suddenly, she turned and wrapped her arms around me, resting her head on my chest. Her voice was soft. Honest.

“Thank you for coming into my life, Yuvraj.”

I closed my eyes and held her tightly.

And in that second, I knew —
This girl wasn’t just my butterfly.
She was the peace I never thought I deserved.

I didn't say anything after her thank you. Just held her close.

Her head was still resting on my chest, and I could feel her breathing slow, steady… peaceful.

Then I whispered softly near her ear,
“Just one dance, hmm? Not for me… for us.”

She looked up at me, her eyes shining under the soft lights, and after a moment’s pause, she nodded.
That one small nod — it meant the world.

I pulled her gently towards the open wooden deck I had decorated — fairy lights around us, the city lights far behind, and her… only her in front of me.

The song played in the background, slow an

I held her hand and placed the other at her waist.
She smiled, a little shy… a little too cute.

And we swayed.

Not in any fancy choreography.

Just her heartbeat and mine, syncing with the music.

Her head rested against my shoulder again, and I pulled her even closer.

My chin touched the top of her head.
God, this fit was perfect.

At one point, she looked up again, her nose brushing against mine, and whispered,
“You really make me feel like the most loved girl in the world.”

I kissed her forehead.

“Because you are, butterfly.”

She giggled softly and twirled once under my arm, then came right back into my hold.

And I swear — in that moment, I didn’t care about business, deals, or names.

Just her.

Just us.

Dancing. Laughing. Living.

If this was love…

Then I never wanted it to stop.

We stood there for a while… just watching the view in silence.
Her head resting slightly on my shoulder, my hand wrapped around her waist, holding her close like she might disappear.

And then I leaned in and whispered,
“Something for you, Butterfly.”

She turned to me with those wide, wondering eyes.
“What?” she asked, voice soft and surprised.

I smiled.

“Look up.”

Her eyes followed where I pointed — and just then,
the sky lit up.
Loud, colorful, beautiful fireworks burst into the night sky… in pinks, blues, golds… each spark writing her name in my heart again and again.

She gasped, her mouth slightly open, eyes shining brighter than the fireworks.

And then she turned to me, tears gathering in those lashes, a smile spreading across her face —
pure, raw, precious.

“Yuvraj…” she whispered.
But I didn’t let her speak more.

I pulled her into me. Tight.

“You’ve cried enough for people who didn’t deserve you. Tonight… just smile. This sky… it’s yours, Butterfly.”

She buried her face in my chest, and we just stood there under the fireworks.

No words.

Just us.

In that one loud, explosive, magical moment —
I knew I’d never love anyone like this again.

Aarohi POV

I was staring at Yuvraj’s profile again… every inch of his smile, every picture he ever posted with her.
Ruhanika.

She thinks she won?
No.
She’s just walking on the pieces I let her have.
Because in the end—Yuvraj will be mine.
Only mine.

I clenched my phone tighter, jaw stiffening…
And then, it rang.

My spy.
“They’re out. Together. Some private date spot.

My breath hitched.
No. No. No.
This can’t happen again.

I did everything.
My mother did everything.
We poisoned her home with lies.
Her parents? We told them she was cursed. A bad omen.
I twisted every conversation, every emotion in that mansion until they all turned against her.
I stole her place. Her family. Her worth.

But seven years later…
She’s still standing.
Still loved. Still fighting back.
Still taking what should’ve been mine.

Not anymore.

I stood in front of Yug.
“After two days… your birthday.
He gave a soft smile.
“Yeah. And this time… Ruhi will be there too.”

Ruhi.
He didn’t even say her full name anymore. That nickname…

I swallowed the bitterness, still hoping.
“You… accepted her?”

He looked away, then back into my eyes.
“I used to think she was impatient. Undisciplined. Always reacting.
But she’s not.
She’s the only one who ever stayed real.”

And just like that…
My web of lies collapsed.

“Yug, listen!” I called again, louder this time.

He turned around. His brows slightly lifted.

“What happened, Di?” he asked softly.

My chest tightened. My lips curled in bitter pain.
“You accepted her…?” I asked, my voice cracking.
“You still think she’s the victim, don’t you?”
I took a step closer. “Just because she says a few paragraphic lines with watery eyes and fake innocence, suddenly she’s the one who deserves all the sympathy?”

I scoffed. “Wow.”

I looked away for a second—my fingers trembling—before raising my hand.
“You see this?” I showed him the faint burn scar that still lived on my wrist.

His eyes narrowed. “What’s that?”

“This…” I whispered, “was given to me. By Ruhanika Di.”

He stared at me. Blank. Disbelieving.
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “She can’t do that.”

Of course, he’d defend her.

I let out a slow, bitter chuckle. “Exactly. That’s the problem. You all think I’m the villain. But maybe…” I leaned closer, “maybe I’m not.”
“I’m the victim, Yug.”

“Go and ask Dadu. Ask him. He knows the truth.”

Yug stayed silent.
And then he nodded.
“Okay. Come with me,” he said.

I smirked. “With pleasure.”

We walked through the corridors—me with my chin up, and him… still unsure.

And there he was.
Dadu. Sitting on the swing, sipping tea, reading his old newspaper like always.

“Dadu,” Yug said, stepping forward, his voice more serious now. “Tell me honestly…”

He looked at my hand, then back at Dadu.
“Did this… did this burn mark happen because of Ruhanika D?”

There was a pause.
A heavy, uncomfortable silence.
And then…
Dadu looked down. Nodded.
“...Yes. It was.”

Yug turned to me, his expression unreadable.

I tilted my head and smiled bitterly. “Let’s go.”

As we walked out, I looked at him one last time and said,
“That mark… was from your birthday, Yug. I was decorating the whole place. Doing all the work. She was just standing there… waiting to take the credit when the lights came on.”

“But I said no. I told her she didn’t help. And she didn’t like that.”

“She lashed out. Burned me.”
“She was always violent. Always selfish. But good with words. Very good with those paragraphic lies.”

I stopped.

“And you?” I whispered, “You fell for them too.”

He looked at me… really looked this time.
Eyes filled with confusion. Guilt. And something else—realization.

“I… I fell for her lies,” he whispered.
Ruhanika Di? No. He shook his head.

“She’s not Ruhanika D anymore… she’s just Ruhanika.”

And in that moment… he hugged me.

“I’m sorry, D,” he said, tightening his arms around me. “I thought you were jealous… but she… she’s the most jealous one.”

I held back my smirk. This… this was working.

“Yeah,” I said softly, “you thought she wasn’t an attention seeker… but she got the attention of  Yuvraj. Then why should she scream for attention? She already got what mattered most.”

He stayed quiet.
I leaned back and looked at him.

“I’m sure… she must have done something. Something again. You just don’t see it yet.”

I watched his face.
The doubt was crawling in. The anger. The betrayal. Everything I wanted him to feel.

And then I asked, calmly but firmly…
“You will call her on your birthday?” I asked again, testing him.
“You should na?”

His eyes narrowedvoice sharp.
“No. Even if she dares to come…”
He took a breath, jaw clenched, eyes burning.

“I’ll insult her in front of everyone. She has no right to be part of my life anymore.”

And then… he stormed off.
I stood there…
Still.
Smiling.

A slow, victorious laugh escaped my lips as I looked down at the faint scar on my wrist.

This mark.
Yes, it was given by Ruhanika.
But not for the reason I told Yug.

Not because she wanted credit.
Not because she was violent.
Not because she lashed out.

It was me.
Seven years ago…

I had cornered her.
Pushed her.
Snatched the decorations from her hand.
Mocked her.
Threatened her.

And when she finally tried to stop me…
That candle I threw? It landed near her.
She tried to protect herself—pushed it away.

But in the chaos… it touched me.
This burn… was my own doing.

But I knew how to twist stories.
How to cry at the right moment.
How to whisper words that sound like truth.

So I did.
And now, Yug believes me.
Again.

I became the victim.
And she… the villain.

Perfect.