The silence between Vansh and Riddhima was heavy as they prepared to leave, both agreeing that appearing before Shaili looking like they’d crawled out of a grave was a bad idea. But as they turned to go, the air shifted.

Without a word, Vihaan’s hand shot out, his fingers locking around Riddhima’s wrist like a shackle.

"I need to talk to you. Alone."

Riddhima’s breath hitched. She searched his eyes, hunting for the answers to the questions he hadn’t even asked yet. She looked at Vansh—whose jaw was tight and gave a curt nod. "I’ll be right there," she told him.

But before they could step away, a nurse burst into the hallway, her face pale. "Doctor, it’s an emergency!"

The spell was broken. Vihaan looked at the nurse, then back at Riddhima. "I’ll talk to you later," he muttered, his professional mask snapping back into place.

"Is it that urgent?" Riddhima pushed, her intuition screaming that whatever he had to say was a bomb waiting to go off.

"Later," was all he said before disappearing into the sterile maze of the hospital.

The drive home was a blur. When Vansh and Riddhima stepped through the front doors of the mansion, they weren’t met with peace. They were met with Ishita.

She was perched on the edge of the sofa like she owned the place, and she was waiting for vansh and  her eyes tracking Vansh the moment he walked in. Seeing Riddhima standing beside him was like a physical blow—she looked like she was standing on nails, her skin crawling with envy. But in a split second, she smoothed her features into a mask of fake, sugary concern.

She rushed toward Vansh, her hands fluttering near him. "Vansh! Oh God, how is Shaili? Is she okay? The second I heard, I couldn't breathe. I had to come here immediately. What happened to her was... barbaric."

Before Vansh could reply Ishita  placing a hand on her shoulder  "I can only imagine what you’re going through,But don’t worry, I’m here now. I’ll take care of both of you. Shaili needs me."

Riddhima’s eyes narrowed into lethal slits.

"Oh, sorry, Riddhima," Ishita cooed "I didn't even see you there."

"Hardly surprising," Riddhima retorted, her voice dripping with ice. "Your eyes were a little too busy to seeing vansh

Without waiting for a comeback, Riddhima turned on her heel and marched upstairs, leaving Ishita standing in stunned silence.

By 9:00 AM, Vansh was showered and dressed. He found Riddhima already at her laptop, her fingers flying across the keys as if the most important thing.

"Let's go downstairs," Vansh said, his voice unusually soft. "We need breakfast."

But the dining hall was a battlefield of a different kind. The table was empty. No plates, no food—just the family huddled around Mamta , who looked like she was mourning.

"Dadi? Why isn't breakfast ready?" Vansh asked, confused.

"Who is hugry after yesterday?" Mamta barked, her voice sharp with misplaced anger.

Riddhima’s voice cut through the air from the stairs Mee!

"You!" Mamta shouted, pointing a finger at Riddhima. "“You seem very hungry,”

“I don’t know about you,” she replied softly, “but I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”

Riddhima didn't even flinch. She walked straight past the group toward the door. "I don't understand why you’re making a federal case out of a meal.  I’ll eat whenever the hell I want."

She grabbed her car keys, but Vansh caught her at the door.

"Where are you going?" he demanded.

she snapped. "What do you want, now ?

"Breakfast," he said simply, opening the car door for her.

They ended up at Riddhima’s restaurant. It was the first time they had ever sat at a table together without an audience, without a fight, and without a weapon in sight.

The silence between them was agonizingly awkward. For the first time in their marriage, they had nothing to scream about. They had no topic to argue over. They were just two people, exhausted and hungry

Just then, the waiter arrived, and Vansh’s jaw practically hit the floor as the plates were set down.

Chole Bhature and a heavy bowl of Rasmalai.

Vansh stared at the greasy, delicious mountain of food and then looked at Riddhima’s slim frame. "You... you’re actually planning on eating all of that?" he asked, his voice laced with pure disbelief.

Riddhima didn't even pause. She tore a piece of the fluffy bhatura, dipped it deep into the curry, and met his gaze with a defiant spark. "Do you have a doubt, Prannath?"

Vansh slowly shook his head, speechless. He took a single, distracted sip of the juice, his appetite long gone, buried under the weight of last night's chaos. Riddhima noticed. She saw the way he avoided the food, the way his mind was still pacing the hospital corridors, but for once, she didn't call him out. She just kept eating, providing a strange sense of 'normalcy' in his crumbling world.

Back at the hospital, the morning sun was streaming through the blinds, painting gold stripes across Shaili’s bed. She was awake, her eyes clearer, the fog of the sedatives finally lifting.

The door creaked open, and Vihaan stepped in.  He pulled up a chair and sat right beside her, entering her personal space with a gentle ease

"How are you feeling, Shaili?" he asked, his voice a low, soothing hum.

"Good," she whispered

"Good," Vihaan echoed with a small, encouraging smile. "Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine. You are going to be completely fine, I promise you."

He leaned in slightly, his expression turning serious but kind. "I’m going to suggest a few therapy sessions. It’s not because you’re weak, but because you deserve to be strong again. It’ll be good for you. And the best news? I’m discharging you today."

A wave of relief washed over Shaili’s face. The thought of going home away from the machines and the white walls was the best medicine he could have prescribed.

"Thank you, Vihaan," she murmured.

Vihaan just smiled by saying it was my job

Can I... can I go out? Just for a little walk?" Shaili’s voice was small,

"Yes, of course," Vihaan replied, his voice softened

He didn't just tell her to walk; he offered his hand—because she was weak Shaili hesitated for a heartbeat before placing her hand in his. His grip was warm ,

He led her away from the sterile, white smells of the hospital wing to a hidden oasis—his private garden. It was a secluded sanctuary where the air smelled of wet earth and jasmine, far from the prying eyes of staff  In this space, there were no patients, no monsters, and no tragedies. Just the two of them.

Shaili walked slowly, her fingers still laced through his, her steps tentative on the grass. The silence was comfortable, the kind that didn't need to be filled, until she spoke up.

"I... I always wanted to be a doctor," she whispered, looking at the flowers instead of him.

Vihaan’s eyebrows shot up, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, wow. That’s a noble ambition.

"I’ve actually already completed my MBBS," she said, a tiny spark of pride finally returning to her eyes. "I’m just waiting for my results now."

Vihaan stopped walking and turned to face her, his gaze filled with  respect. "Congratulations, Shaili. Welcome to the community. I suppose from now on, I should start addressing you as Doctor Shaili, shouldn't I?"

The title felt like a badge of honor. A soft, genuine chuckle broke from Shaili’s lips the first real sound of joy since the nightmare began. Vihaan joined her, his laughter low and melodic, echoing through the private garden.

The laughter was still lingering in the air when the world shifted. Without warning, a pair of arms wrapped around Shaili from behind, pulling her into a sudden, tight embrace.

Shaili’s breath hitched. Her body went rigid as a flash of last night's terror flickered in her mind. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird.

Vihaan  let go of Shaili’s hand

The man pulled back, his hands moving to cup Shaili’s face with a familiarity that made the air feel heavy. It was Aryaan.

"Shaili! God, I’ve been so worried," Aryaan murmured, his voice thick with concern as he searched her eyes. "How are you feeling now? I came as fast as I could."

"I'll check on you later, Shaili."

Vihaan walked off without looking back, his white shirt fluttering behind him like a retreating flag

"Shaili? Shaili, look at me. I’m so sorry I wasn't there..." Aryaan was talking, his words a blurred hum in the background.

But Shaili wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on Vihaan’s retreating figure. She felt a strange, hollow ache in her chest as he disappeared into the hospital building. The garden suddenly felt colder, the jasmine scent no longer sweet.

"Shaili? Hey, look at me," Aryaan urged, gently turning her face back toward him. "Are you angry with me? Please, talk to me."

Shaili finally blinked, her gaze landing on Aryaan’s worried face. But her mind was

"I’m so sorry..."

The words were broken, barely a whisper before Aryaan pulled Shaili back into his arms. This time, it wasn't just a greeting; it was a desperate, crushing embrace. As he buried his face in her shoulder, the sound of his ragged sobs filled the quiet garden.

Shaili froze for a second, her eyes widening in shock. She  Slowly, the shock faded, replaced by a soft, maternal instinct. She reached up, her hand gently rubbing his back in soothing circles.

"Hey... Aryaan, why are you crying? Look at me, I’m okay," she murmured, trying to pull back to see his face.

He broke the hug, but his hands immediately sought hers, gripping them as if she might vanish if he let go. His eyes were bloodshot, his face wet with tears that he wasn't even trying to hide.

"I’ll never be able to forgive myself, Shaili. Never," he choked out, his voice thick with self-loathing. "I should have been there. I should have been standing right next to you. If I had just stayed, if I hadn't been so busy... none of this would have happened."

He looked down, his shoulders shaking as a fresh wave of tears fell. Shaili felt the warmth of his tears as they splashed onto her hands—bitter, salty droplets of pure regret.

"I am so incredibly grateful to your Bhabhi," he whispered, his voice trembling. "If it weren't for Riddhima... God, Shaili, I don't even want to think about what I would have done to myself

Shaili’s heart ached for him. She reached up, her thumbs gently wiping the tears from his cheeks, her touch soft and forgiving.

"I’m fine, Aryaan. Look at me. I’m right here," she said, her voice steady and strong. "Everything is okay now. Please, stop crying. I can’t bear seeing you like this."

Seeing the agony in his eyes, she didn't wait for him to respond. She pulled him into another hug, resting her head against his chest. In that moment, the roles had reversed—the survivor was now the one providing the comfort, holding together the person who was falling apart for her sake.

The intimate bubble of the garden was punctured as the heavy sound of footsteps crunched on the gravel. Aditya. His presence was like a sudden frost. The second Shaili caught sight of him, she recoiled, breaking the hug with Aryaan as if she had been caught in a crime. The warmth in her eyes was instantly replaced by a flickering shadow of fear.

"Adi... I—it’s not what it looks like, we were just—" Shaili started, her voice trembling, her hands fluttering nervously.

But Aditya didn't give her the mercy of an explanation. He cut her off with a voice as sharp as a razor, his eyes cold and unyielding as he looked past Aryaan as if he were invisible.

"Rajeshwari Auntie wants to meet you. Now," he snapped.

The command was absolute. He didn't wait for a response,  He turned on his heel and strode away Shaili stood frozen, the sudden coldness of the interaction leaving her breathless.

Aryaan, sensing her distress, stepped back into her space. He ignored Aditya’s retreating figure and reached out, his thumb grazing her cheek one last time in a gesture of defiant tenderness.

" Aryaan whispered, his voice low and fierce. "I don't care what they say or what they think. I am always there for you, Shaili. Always." Whenever you want to talk you can talk to me

Thanks Aryaan Shaili said and rushed towards Aditya

The moment Aditya stepped into the frame, Saili's composure crumbled. Panic flared in her eyes as she stammered, "I—I didn’t call him, Aditya. I swear. I have no idea how he knew I was here."

Aditya stood frozen for a beat, his gaze unreadable. "Why are you over-explaining?" he asked, his voice flat. "It’s fine. Enjoy your life Just go inside." He signaled toward the ward and kissed her forhead "Auntie is waiting for you."

As Saili approached, Rajeshwari pulled her into a suffocatingly tight embrace. "Let’s get you out of here, darling. This hospital is a bore," she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"I’ll be discharged by evening," Saili murmured, her eyes scanning the hallway. She hadn't seen Vansh since the world turned upside down last night. "Bhai will come to pick me up."

"You aren't going back to that mansion," Rajeshwari countered, her grip tightening. "You’re coming home with me."

Saili hesitated, her heart caught in her throat. "But... how can I? That's your house..."

"I’m not taking 'no' for an answer," Rajeshwari snapped with a maternal finality.

Aditya pulled out his phone. "Let me clear this with Bhai first." He dialed Vansh, and after a brief, tense explanation, Vansh’s dailed Riddhima and tell her that Rajeshwari wants to take shaili to her home what should I do?

Hearing him Riddhima was shocked not because of Rajeshwari becasue of Vansh he was asking advice to him

"If she wants to go, let her," Riddhima conceded,  "The air in the Singhania Mansion is toxic right now. Maybe she’ll breathe better at Mom’s."

"Maybe you should go too," she teased.

Vansh looked at her, a rare, ghost of a smile touching his lips on other line  "You know what? You're actually right."

He disconnect the call

And He imimmediately called her again

Now what ? She annoyingly asked ?

Nothing just informing you that “I’ll pick you up after work.”

Back at the Singhania Mansion, the atmosphere was anything but peaceful.

Ishita was pacing the length of the room like a caged tigress, her heels clicking a rhythmic beat of pure fury.

When Soumya entered, she didn't even look up. "What is wrong with you?"

Soumya asked, closing the door behind her. "Why are you vibrating with rage?"

"Why did you bring me back here, Auntie?!" Ishita exploded, her face contorted. "At least at home, I didn't have to watch them! They play this game of hating each other, but did you see them today? They were... together. It makes my blood boil!"

Soumya let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Relax, child. I didn't bring you here to be a spectator to their romance. I have a plan."

"What plan?" Ishita snapped. "We lost! They’re married. It’s over!"

Soumya’s eyes darkened, a cold, calculated light dancing in them. "Married? Yes. Together for life? We’ll see about that.

“I hold an ace that will shake the very walls of the Singhania and Raichand empires.”

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Thank you ♡