Ruhanika’s POV

The moment I stepped into my room, Veer Bhai’s hand shot out, shutting the door behind me with a hard thud. His eyes were already blazing.

"What are you doing, Ruhanika?" he demanded, voice low but furious. "You clearly know we can handle this situation. We can crush Ranjit Rindhawa in two seconds. What the hell are you doing—walking into the fire like this?"

I just leaned against the dresser, calm as ever, watching his temper rise. "Because, Bhai… I want to."

Vikram Bhai, who’d been pacing like a caged lion, stopped dead in front of me. His voice was harsher than I’d heard in years. "Are you out of your mind? This time, I’m not supporting you. You wanted to come into this house for Dadu’s last wish—I agreed. You wanted to go to that damn college—I agreed. But now? Why, Ruhanika? You know damn well you can walk out of this whole stupid choice, and I can make it happen in one phone call. That Ranjit Rindhawa can’t touch you, you know it! Then why—why are you listening to Tauji?"

I couldn’t help it—I chuckled. The kind of laugh that always unsettled them because they knew it meant I was already three steps ahead. I met my brother’s eyes, slow and deliberate.

"Bhai… let my father think he’s in charge of this whole f*ing game. In reality, I’m the mastermind. I’m holding the strings. And about walking into the fire? I’m doing it because I want to expose Aarohi. I want her to feel the exact pain I lived through. Until now, I let them worship her like she’s some goddess. But no—" I stepped forward, my voice dropping to a venom-laced whisper, "—I will make sure her truth comes out. And when it does, she will be gone from this house."

Veer Bhai’s jaw clenched. "So you want this family back?"

I shook my head slowly. "No, I don’t. But they’re in guilt now, Bhai. So why not use that guilt as my privilege? Tomorrow, I go with Rudransh. That will be my first step in dismantling Aarohi’s perfect little world. Let them all rot in guilt—that doesn’t erase their place in my punishment list. But first… Aarohi."

Vikram Bhai crossed his arms, watching me like he didn’t know whether to be proud or terrified.

"And my so-called father?" I smirked, tilting my head. "Let him keep thinking he’s the mastermind, that he’s ‘teaching me’ something with his pretty rules. But we know the truth, Bhai. I’m running this show. And by the time I’m done… this Khanna Mansion will remember exactly who they tried to burn."

I leaned back in my chair, the storm outside rattling the windows. "And then… I’ll follow my so-called father’s rules. Every single one. On my terms."

Veer Bhai looked at me, his brows knitted with concern.
"Are you sure about this?"

I didn’t even blink. "Hundred percent sure. They want me in their family? Fine. But only on my terms."

Before either of them could respond, my phone vibrated in my hand. One glance at the screen and my jaw clenched.
Mom: Come to my room. Now.

I sighed and muttered, "Why? I just came here. Your Taiji is calling me," before shoving the phone back in my pocket.

Veer and Vikram exchanged a look, but I didn’t stay long enough to decode it. I turned on my heel and stormed towards her room, my steps echoing in the quiet hallway.

The moment I stepped inside, she was sitting on the edge of her bed, hands folded in her lap like she’d been rehearsing what to say. Her eyes lifted to mine, and for a moment, there was something—guilt? hesitation?—but I didn’t let it soften me.

"You called me," I said flatly, leaning against the doorframe, not even bothering to sit.

Her voice was low, almost trembling.
“Ruhani… I just wanted to talk. I know… I wasn’t always—”

I cut her off before she could even pretend to rewrite history. “Wasn’t always? Don’t twist your words like that. You were the one who said you didn’t want me. You never wanted a girl. So why this sudden change of heart now?”

She flinched. I could see her lips part as if she wanted to deny it, but the guilt in her eyes gave her away.

I took a step closer, my voice sharp enough to slice the air. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten. You said it—clear as day—that I was a disappointment before I could even speak my first words. Maybe, maybe you loved me once… before Aarohi came into this house. But after she came? I became nothing more than a mistake you had to live with.”

Her eyes watered, but I didn’t care.
“Do you know what’s worse? I can’t even figure you people out. Sometimes you act guilty. Sometimes you get manipulated. And sometimes…” I let out a bitter laugh, “sometimes you’re downright cruel. So tell me, what exactly am I to you? A burden? A punching bag? Or a reminder of something you wish never existed?”

I took a deep breath, the venom in my tone unshakable. “And let me make one thing very clear—you are not my mother. I told you that the day you tried to push Aarohi and Yuvraj into marriage. That day, you died for me. And trust me… even if you die for real, I will never see you as my mom. That decision was final then, and it’s final now.”

I didn’t wait for her reply. I turned, my footsteps echoing with every ounce of anger burning inside me, and stormed out of that room without looking back.

Author POV

The living room was dim, only the ticking of the old clock filling the silence between them. Ruhanika’s father sat with his hands clasped, staring at the floor, while her mother paced restlessly.

“She hates me,” her mother muttered, almost like she couldn’t believe her own daughter had said it out loud. “Do you know she told me… even if I die, she won’t come back? How could she say that to her own mother?” Her voice cracked, but the stubborn glare in her eyes remained.
father didn’t look up.

Her mother said“Maybe because we gave her reasons to,” she said, voice low. “We both know… we didn’t treat her the way we should have.”

Her father steps faltered, but her chin lifted instantly, defensive. “I was strict, not cruel. I just… expected her to understand her place in this family. If she had listened, if she hadn’t been so stubborn—”

“She is stubborn because we made her feel unheard,” she interrupted sharply, her voice rising for the first time. “We always expected her to come running back, no matter how we spoke to her. And now? She’s proving she can live without us.”

Her father lips trembled for a moment, but he masked it with bitterness. “So what do you want me to do? Beg her? Fall at her feet? She’s my daughter, not some queen I have to please.”

“You say that,” her mother said quietly, “but you still call the relatives, still ask them to ‘keep an eye on her.’ You still ask the driver to pass by her college. You’re trying to get her back, but without speaking to her. You want her here without lowering your ego.”

Her father’s jaw clenched. “I’m her mother. She should come on her own. She should realize we are her family, that no matter what, she belongs here.”

Her mother gave a humorless laugh. “And what have we done to make her feel like she belongs? We hurt her, we doubted her, we let others poison her name in this house… and now we sit here acting like she’s the problem.”

There was a silence after that. The kind where both of them knew the truth, but neither would admit it aloud. Guilt was heavy in the air — but so was pride.

Her father finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “She will come back. She has to. She’s our daughter.”

Her mother looked at her, tired. “She might… but when she does, it won’t be because of love. It’ll be because she’s tired of fighting us. And that… is not victory, it’s loss.”

Her mother’s voice was sharp, but underneath that edge was something bitter, something she didn’t want to name.
"Do you think I enjoy saying this?" she snapped, pacing the room. "I hate that girl sometimes… the way she talks, the way she looks at me as if I’m a stranger. You know what she said to me, right? That even if I die, she won’t come back. My own daughter."

"Don’t start that lecture again," he shot back, folding her arms. "We have done what we had to. She’s the one being ungrateful."

"Ungrateful? Or just… done with us?" she said, her voice low but cutting. She leaned back, exhaling heavily. "We both know we made mistakes. We pushed her away. We chose our comfort, our pride, over her feelings. But I will not beg her to come back. She will have to accept this family. She will have to remember where she belongs."

Her mother turned to him, eyes narrowing. "So, what now? Sit here and hope she magically forgives us?"

He shook his head, a cold smirk tugging at his lips. "No. We will… remind her of what she’s missing. We won’t go to her, but we’ll create situations where she feels the pull back here. Little things. Subtle."

"You mean… manipulation."

"I mean strategy," he corrected sharply. "We’ll invite people she cares about here, make it seem like we’re changing, but never directly say sorry. We’ll send her things she can’t ignore. Make her see this house as the only place she truly fits. It’s not about apologizing… it’s about winning her back on our terms."

Her mother’s lips twitched, the guilt flickering briefly before her ego smothered it again. "If she comes back… she’ll know it’s because she chose to. Not because we begged her."

"Exactly," he murmured. "She may hate us now… but hate can be turned. We just have to be patient."

That’s when Rudransh stepped into the room, his presence cutting through their hushed plotting. His tone was sharp, accusing.
"Again? You’re doing this again? Manipulating her instead of just being real with her?"

Her mother’s eyes narrowed. "We are her parents, Rudransh. We know what’s best for her."

"No, you don’t!" His voice rose. "She’s your own daughter, and you still can’t just say ‘I’m sorry’? You think sending her some gift or making her meet you by trick is going to fix years of hurt?"

Her father’s gaze hardened, his pride flaring. "We didn’t do anything wrong. We were strict because she needed discipline. And she bullied Aarohi—don’t forget that. We had to protect our other children."

Rudransh’s fists clenched. "You still don’t get it… you’re using old excuses to cover the fact that you broke her. And now you want me to be part of this charade?"

Her father leaned forward, voice final. "Tomorrow, you will take Ruhanika with you somewhere. Anywhere. And you will mend your relationship with her."

Rudransh shook his head in disbelief. "You’re not asking me—you’re forcing me. And I’m telling you right now… you can’t force love or respect back into someone’s heart. Especially not hers."

The silence that followed was thick with resentment—his for their manipulation, theirs for his defiance.

Rudransh POV

Ma and Papa have gone mad.
They’re just using tricks… manipulation… and every possible twisted way to get her back. But not listening to their own heart. Not once.

Why is it so hard for them to just say sorry?
Why is it so hard to admit they were wrong?

Today morning has begun heavy.
I know what Papa said last night — that I should take Ruhanika anywhere and mend our relationship. But I’m not blind. I know what this is. They’re forcing this. They’re turning it into some chore, as if one day of outing will magically fix years of damage.

Still… I have to do it.
Because deep down, a part of me is terrified — what if our bond fades completely? What if she never lets me in again?

I was lost in my own thoughts when I saw her walking towards me.

Neutral face.
No smile. No frown. Just… blank.

“Let’s go,” she said flatly.
“Wherever you want to take me.”

“Sure, little dove—” the words slipped out before I could stop them.

Her eyes flicked up, sharp.
“It’s Ruhanika. For you, it’s Ruhanika, Mr. Rudransh Khanna.”

The way she said it… calm, but final. Like she was drawing a line in stone.

I just nodded, swallowing the sting in my chest.
God… I can’t even call my own sister by her nickname anymore.
And I know I earned that.

But it doesn’t make it hurt any less.

The moment I opened the door for her, she stepped in like a stranger.
It was supposed to be natural—me taking my little dove out—but nothing about this felt natural anymore.

I asked softly, “Where do you want to go?”

She didn’t even look at me.
“Wherever you want.”

I hesitated, then said, “Let’s first go to our office… I mean, my office. I want you to see that.”

She gave a small chuckle. Not the warm one from years ago—this one had a bite to it.
“In seven years, I didn’t see your struggles. I didn’t see your hard work. I didn’t even see the company… but now, let’s see it.”

Her words were knives wrapped in silk. They cut deep because she was right. Every single word was true.
I just nodded, my hands tightening on the steering wheel. There was nothing to defend. No excuse that wouldn’t sound pathetic.

The drive to the company was quiet. She looked out the window the whole time, and I kept glancing at her reflection in the glass—wishing I could read her mind, dreading that I already knew.

When we reached, I parked and got out first.
“Come,” I gestured, my voice almost careful.

We walked inside, and I stopped near the lobby. “Ruhanika… go towards the 47th floor. I’m just coming in two minutes.”

She gave a small nod, her expression unreadable, and walked towards the lift without another word.

It hurt more than I thought it would—watching my own sister walk away like that.
Once upon a time, she wouldn’t have gone anywhere without clinging to my arm, teasing me about how slow I was.
Now… I can’t even call her by her nickname without her correcting me.

I stepped aside, gesturing toward the long glass corridor. “Come on, Ruhanika. I want you to see everything—the work, the team, the office. All of this… it’s been my life for the past seven years.”

She raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. “Wow. Big office. Tall walls. And yet… somehow still empty. Just like some people I know.”

I flinched at her words, but forced a smile. “It’s not empty. Every corner, every cubicle, every desk… it’s built with sweat. I want you to understand that.”

She let out a soft laugh, almost mocking. “Understand? Rudransh, you think a tour will erase seven years of silence? Seven years of… abandonment? Cute.”

We moved into the main workspace. “This is my team,” I said, pointing. “They’ve been with me since the beginning. And here…” I led her to the floor-to-ceiling windows. “This view… this is where I sit and plan, dream, work to make things happen.”

She glanced at the view briefly, then turned sharply to me. “Dream, huh? Funny. Dreams usually include family, Rudransh. But your dream? You left me out.”

I wanted to reach out, to grab her hand, to tell her I was sorry a thousand times over, but she cut me off before I could speak.

“Save it,” she said, voice sharp. “I’m just observing. Not participating. Not caring. Not forgiving.”

I swallowed hard, the words in my throat catching. “Ruhanika… please. I need to talk to you. I… I’ve made mistakes, but I—”

Her head turned, cutting me off mid-sentence. “Mistakes? Rudransh, they’re not mistakes. They’re choices. And choices make consequences. I’m living with them. Don’t even try to sugarcoat it for me now.”

I bit my lip, my guilt weighing me down like stones. Every step I took trying to reach her, every word I said, seemed to bounce off her icy walls. And yet… I couldn’t walk away. Not now. Not when she was right here, a few steps away, and still entirely out of my reach.

We continued walking through the office, me pointing out achievements, her giving only short, savage replies, each one carving a little deeper into my heart. It was slow, it was painful—but I knew one thing: I wouldn’t leave her alone, not until she knew, truly, that I cared.

After showing Ruhanika the whole office, I said, “Let’s go to some restaurant to eat. You must be hungry after all that walking.”

She glanced at me and nodded, “Okay.”

We settled into the car, the engine humming softly. A comfortable silence fell for a moment, but then she turned to me with that sharp, calculating look.

“Rudransh…” she began slowly, “Did you trust me?”

I nodded immediately. “Yes, Ruhanika. I trust you.”

Her lips curved into a sly smile. “Oh… then whatever I say, you will trust me, right?”

“Yeah, sure,” I replied cautiously.

Her eyes glinted, and her voice took on a dangerous playfulness. “Okay… and you will do anything I tell you to do, right?”

I swallowed, my heart thudding. “Yeah… for you, for your forgiveness, I can do anything.”

Then she said it—the words that made my entire chest tighten, my mind freeze for a split second.

“So… okay,” she said slowly, savoring each word, “after the restaurant, when we reach home… you will slap Aarohi.”

I nearly choked on my words, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “Wait… what? You… you want me to—”

She cut me off with a smirk, leaning back casually. “Yes, Rudransh. I want you to slap her. She’s been playing her games for too long. Manipulating everyone… she needs a reality check. And you… my brother, my so-called protector… will do it.”

I blinked, swallowing the sudden lump in my throat. “Ruhanika… this is extreme. She’s—she’s your sister too.”

She gave me a cold, almost lethal glance. “Not anymore. Not after everything she did to me. You said you’d do anything for me. This is it. Just one slap. That’s all she deserves.”

My fists clenched, the car silent except for the soft hum of the tires. I looked at her, guilt twisting in my chest. This is my sister… my little dove… asking me to hit someone else. And yet… I can’t say no.

Finally, I exhaled and nodded slowly. “Okay… if this is what you want, I’ll do it. But after this, I swear… I will protect you from everything. No one will hurt you again. Not her, not anyone.”

Her eyes softened fractionally, just a hint, and she leaned back in her seat, satisfied. “Good. Now drive, Rudransh… and remember. No mercy. She has to feel it.”

Ruhanika POV

The look on Rudransh’s face was priceless—half shock, half guilt—when I told him to slap Aarohi. I leaned back slightly, my eyes gleaming with that dangerous, calculated glint.

“You will do it, na?” I asked, voice soft but laced with authority. “I mean… she’s your sister after all.”

He exhaled slowly, trying to resist, his jaw tight. “You’re my sister too… but slapping her unnecessarily? I don’t understand.”

I smiled coldly, tilting my head. “Unnecessarily? Okay, then I will give you the reason. Remember when I was in ninth grade, and I wanted to wear my favorite pink dress—you bought it for me, right?”

He nodded slowly, his brow furrowing.

“You must remember… or maybe you don’t,” I continued, my tone venomous but controlled. “She snatched it from me when I wanted it. Slapped me. Twice. Do you remember that?”

Rudransh’s eyes widened, confusion mixing with guilt. “But… didn’t she tell us that you slapped her too? That it left a mark?”

I leaned closer, voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “That’s exactly why it’s your choice, my dear brother. Whom do you want to trust? Her… or me? I’ve done my part. I’ve endured enough. One slap… one small slap… will it really cost anything?”

He stared at me, torn between morality and his loyalty, the weight of our shared past pressing down on him. I could see the hesitation, the conflict in his eyes.

Finally, he exhaled, a shudder running through him. “Okay… I will do it… with all the power I have. She will feel it. If I really want my little dove back… if I really want you… Ruhanika, back in my life… she will feel it.”

I leaned back in the car seat, my eyes fixed on Rudransh as if I were weighing him, testing him. My voice was soft, almost innocent, but every word carried the sharp edge of truth.

“You trusted her with everything… everything, Rudransh,” I said slowly, letting the words sink in. “Her secrets, her dreams… her lies even. But did you ever trust me? No. Never me. Not once.”

He flinched slightly, guilt flickering in his eyes.

“And now…” I leaned closer, my hand brushing his shoulder, light enough to tease but heavy with intent. “I’m telling you the truth. Everything. All the things she did, the ways she tried to ruin me, the ways she manipulated everyone…” I paused, letting the tension build, my tone almost cruel. “Now it’s your turn to make a choice, Rudransh. If you really want your sister back… if you really want me back… you’ll do it. One slap. One small slap, and maybe… just maybe… we can begin again.”

He looked away, jaw tight. I could see the storm inside him.

“What… what else did she do?” he asked, voice low, hesitant, but still trembling with curiosity and anger.

I chuckled softly, venom hidden behind a smile. “What else, Rudransh? Do you even want me to tell you, or do you just want to feel it? You trusted her with everything… now it’s time you trust me. I’m telling you the truth. I’ve suffered. I’ve endured. And now… it’s time she feels consequences. You want your little sister back? You want your sister who’s endured seven years of lies and pain? Then… you’ll do this. Not for me. Not even for her. For us. For our bond. One slap. That’s all it takes.”

My eyes held his, unwavering, challenging, and every word dripped with the power I’d never shown before. Rudransh’s hand trembled slightly on the steering wheel, the conflict tearing through him.

“I… I can’t believe this…” he muttered, almost to himself.

“Believe it, Rudransh,” I whispered, soft but commanding. “This is the truth. Do it… or lose me. And don’t think I’m bluffing.”

The car was silent for a moment, heavy with tension. I smiled to myself, victory hidden in patience. This was exactly the control I wanted. Slowly, carefully… I was making him mine again.

I gave him a slow, deliberate look, letting the weight of my smile press on him, and then he finally asked, voice low and cautious, “Ruhanika… how did you meet Yuvraj?”

I looked at Rudransh with a steady, piercing gaze, letting my words sink into him like a slow, deliberate sting. “So… you want to know how I met Yuvraj?” I asked, letting the memory stretch out between us.

His brow furrowed, and I could see the mixture of curiosity and unease. I smiled, not a playful smile—this was soft but sharp, full of meaning. “It was in Jaipur… a restaurant,” I began, letting the nostalgia drip in my voice. “I saw him, and I didn’t even realize it at first… but he fell for me, and I fell for him too. Slowly. Because he understands me, Rudransh. He understands everything I’ve gone through. He trusts me with everything… his heart, his life, everything.”

I paused, letting my words weigh heavily. “Yuvraj Singhania is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Not you, not anyone else in this family… him. He trusts me with everything. So much so…” I leaned slightly closer, my tone dropping, intimate yet commanding, “let’s see. Let’s see what you can do for me. Because Yuvraj… he can do anything for me. He would even kill for me. Now tell me, my so-called protector… what will you do? What will you risk? Because I’m easing your guilt, Rudransh. And I want to see what you’re willing to do.”

The car felt heavier suddenly, charged with tension. I could see him struggling, torn between brotherly love, guilt, and the dangerous pull of my words. And deep inside, I knew—this was just the beginning.

I leaned back slightly, watching Rudransh carefully. The way his jaw tightened, the way his eyes darted to mine, it all told me he was fighting with himself. I could see the conflict, the guilt, the hesitation, and it thrilled me just a little—because now, finally, the power had shifted.

“I continued, voice low, deliberate. “Veer and Vikram Bhai trust me with everything. They never doubt me, never question me. And now… it’s your turn, Rudransh. Let’s see. Can you trust me?”

He swallowed hard, gripping the wheel, and I could see his pulse flicker at his neck. His fingers twitched like he wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words. I let the silence stretch, thick and suffocating, like the calm before a storm.

“You said for me… you’ll do anything,” I said, letting my words brush over him like fire. “Anything. And now, it’s not about me. It’s about you. About proving that you trust me. That you’ll stand with me. That you… will follow through.”

He looked at me then, eyes clouded, and nodded almost imperceptibly. My smirk was small, almost playful, but my eyes were sharp. I had him right where I wanted him. The next step would be his test… and I was ready.

“Good,” I whispered. “Now, first… we go back to the mansion. No restaurants. No distractions. It’s time to see if you’re really for me, Rudransh. Time to see if you can do what needs to be done.”

The drive back was quiet, heavy with anticipation. I didn’t need to say anything else. The look in his eyes said it all: caught between loyalty, fear, and the desperate need to make things right. And that… was my advantage.

Author POV

The heavy doors of the mansion swung open, and Ruhanika and Rudransh stepped inside.

Yug was the first to break the silence.
“Bhai, you came back so early? It’s been just one hour.”

Rudransh didn’t look at him for long; his tone was clipped, almost dangerous.
“Call Aarohi.”

Before Yug could even move, their parents emerged from the sitting area.
“You both came back so early?” their mother asked, a flicker of hope in her voice. “Did your relationship mend?”

Ruhanika didn’t answer, her face blank, almost bored. Instead, she turned her gaze elsewhere and asked, “Where is Dadu and Dadi?”

“They’re in their room, beta,” the maid replied.

“Call them,” Ruhanika ordered softly, but her tone carried the kind of authority that left no space for questions.

Footsteps echoed from the staircase, and Aarohi descended, her heels clicking against the marble. She smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Bhai, you called me?”

“Yes,” Rudransh said, his voice unreadable.

Her brows lifted in curiosity. “Why did you call me? Did you get something for me?”

A pause. A cold, stretched pause.
“No,” Rudransh said, his words like steel, “but I’m here to give you something.”

Before Aarohi could ask what, his hand moved faster than thought —
CRACK!

The slap echoed through the hall, sharp and merciless. Aarohi stumbled back a step, her hand flying to her cheek, eyes wide with shock. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the faint hiss of someone’s gasp in the background.

And Ruhanika… Ruhanika just stood there, lips curved into the faintest, most satisfied smile.

“Rudransh!”
Ruhanika’s mother’s voice cut through the silence like a knife. She stepped forward, fury on her face. “Why did you do that?!”

Her father’s tone followed, sharper. “What the hell was that behaviour? She is your cousin! Have you lost your mind?”

Before Rudransh could answer, Aarohi’s fake sobs started, her voice trembling just enough to look believable.
“ I don’t even know what I did. I was just… talking… and suddenly—”

“Enough,” Rudransh snapped, eyes locked on her. His jaw was so tight that even Yug took a step back.

But the elders weren’t done.

Dadu and Dadi, hearing the commotion, entered with worried faces.
“Yeh kya ho raha hai?” Dadu demanded, his gaze sweeping from Aarohi to Rudransh to Ruhanika.
“Why are you shouting? Rudransh, why did you slap her?” Dadi added, confused.

Before Rudransh could speak, Ruhanika leaned back against the wall with a smirk that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Oh… nothing much. Just Aarohi tasting her own dates.”

That one sentence made Aarohi’s eyes dart toward her, panic flashing for a second before she looked away.

Yug, who had been watching silently, stepped forward too.
“Rudransh bhai… why? Aarohi di… What happened?”

Rudransh’s voice was low at first, but each word carried steel.
“You really want to know? Fine. I slapped her because she deserves it. Because she has been hurting Ruhanika for years. And I’m done watching it happen.”

“Rudransh!” his mother gasped in shock. “Hurting? Aarohi is like a sister to her!”

Ruhanika let out a dry laugh at that. “Yeah. Sister. The kind that poisons your water and then calls it love.”

“Bas, Ruhanika!” her father warned, but she didn’t flinch.

Rudransh stepped closer, his voice rising.
“You all see Aarohi’s tears today, but where were you when she was laughing at Ruhanika’s pain? When she spread lies in this very house, when she made sure everyone turned against her? When she stood there, smiling, while Ruhanika cried alone in her room?”

Aarohi shook her head rapidly, tears streaming. “That’s not true—”

“It’s the truth you can’t wash away,” Rudransh cut in sharply.

Aarohi’s mother stormed forward, her heels clicking like gunshots against the marble floor.

Her eyes burned into Ruhanika , her voice tore through the room.
"This… all of this… happened because of you!" she spat, every word drenched in venom.
"If you hadn’t come between them, Rudransh would’ve never raised his hand on my daughter. They were so close! And now? You’ve turned brother against sister!"

Aarohi sobbed, clutching her cheek where the mark still burned, her gaze locking onto Rudransh like a wounded child.
"Bhai… you’re manipulated again," she cried, her voice trembling. "You used to trust me… not her."

The room went deadly still. And then, like daggers in the dark, my own parents’ voices cut in.

"Why did you do this, Ruhanika?" her mother demanded, her tone heavy with disappointment.
"Look at the situation you’ve created," her father added, his jaw tight, as if holding back more accusations.

Aarohi’s mother stormed forward, her eyes blazing like fire. “Are you happy now, Ruhanika?” she snapped, her voice cutting through the silence like glass shattering. “Is this what you wanted? To humiliate my daughter in front of everyone? To turn her own brother against her?”

Ruhanika didn’t flinch. She just stood there, her chin lifted, eyes locked on Aarohi, unreadable. But Aarohi’s mother wasn’t done.
“Do you even realise what you’ve done? Rudhransh and Aarohi were so close, they were each other’s strength, and because of you—” She gestured sharply toward Aarohi, who was crying harder now. “—he raised his hand on her. Because of you, that bond is broken.”

Aarohi’s voice cracked as she turned to Rudhran, ignoring her mother’s words for a moment. “Bhai… you’ve been manipulated again. Can’t you see? She’s twisting everything like she always does. You’re my brother… you used to trust me.”

Ruhanika’s parents had been silent up until now, but her mother finally stepped forward, disappointment etched on her face. “Why, Ruhanika? Why did you have to go this far? Look at the position you’ve put yourself in… the position you’ve put all of us in.”

Her father’s tone was colder. “This isn’t strength, it’s arrogance. You’ve made a scene out of something that could have been resolved quietly. And now look — families divided, relationships shattered.”

Rudransh’s voice sliced through the chaos.
"Stop!"
The sudden command made the room fall silent. His jaw was clenched, his eyes dark with warning as he pointed at Aarohi and her mother.
"Don’t you dare blame Ruhanika  he growled.
The words confused them for a second until his tone turned sharper.
"If I get to know more about the past—more than I already do—I swear, I will slap you again. Harder."

Aarohi’s mother said but it came out like venom.
"Of course! Blame my daughter now, but can’t you see? This is all because of Ruhanika! She has always been the reason for these fights!"
Her accusing finger shot toward Ruhanika, who was standing silently in the corner, her eyes fixed on the floor.

"Enough!" Rudransh’s voice rose again, but before he could say more, a deep, calm voice entered the room.

"What’s going on here?"
Everyone turned to see Vikram stepping in, his tall frame filling the doorway. His gaze moved over the scene—the tense faces, Aarohi’s tear-brimmed eyes, Rudransh’s clenched fists, and Ruhanika’s quiet figure.

Aarohi’s mother wasted no time.
"You came at the right time, Vikram! Do you know what your brother did? Rudransh slapped Aarohi… and all because of that girl!"
Her chin jerked toward Ruhanika, her tone dripping with disgust.

For a moment, Cikram didn’t react. His eyes landed on Rudransh, then shifted to Ruhanika. And then—unexpectedly—he smiled. Not a soft smile. A knowing, almost amused smile that made Aarohi’s mother falter.

"Ruhanika," he said in a low, steady voice, "come here."

The words held no anger. Just calm authority. Yet the way his gaze lingered on her made everyone uneasy—especially Aarohi.

Before leaving, Ruhanika paused mid-step, turning her head toward her father.
Her eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction as she said,
"I told you… the rule you put on me will backfire on you. And now it has."
Her tone was calm but sharp enough to cut.

She tilted her head slightly, almost mockingly.
"And tomorrow… which  I have to go? Kabir? Okay, inform him. I will surely go with him."
Her smirk widened as she shifted her gaze toward Rudransh.
"And about you, Rudransh… you just proved me right. We will go to the restaurant at the evening shore."

Finally, her eyes locked onto Aarohi—hard, unblinking.
"And Aarohi… the allegation you put on me seven years ago? Now it’s going to be true."

With that, she stormed out of the hall, her heels striking the marble floor like a war drum.

Vikram, still standing near the doorway, frowned and called out after her,
"How the hell did this all happen? I mean… how did you convince Rudransh?"

Ruhanika stopped, half-turned, and let a devilish smile spread across her face.
"It was so easy. Just my manipulation is starting to work. And soon, you’ll see… how I expose Aarohi and make her count every single one of her deeds. My manipulation is working very smoothly."