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“She is where she is supposed to be. Where does she stay? London, right?”

Jhanvi’s eyes dart in shock as she tries to apprehend. She’s been through a lot today. I won’t stress her more. Hence, now that she’s my wife, I give her the truth.

“Jaya never flew to India. She is still in London, at her office.”

Jhanvi steps behind in shock.

“How?” she murmurs. “I received a message from her secretary.”

“I can bribe people,” I answer. “Money has greater power these days.”

She stumbles as her back hits the pillar. I am about to reach her when she gestures to me to stop.

“Don’t.. Just don’t.”

Though her commands don’t scare me, I can feel her pain.

Pain is what I have felt in all these years, so I can connect with that easily.

“But I got a call from Jaya’s phone. It was her number, and you spoke.. how?”

Now I laugh.

“You are forgetting something, Jaan. I am the owner of a software company. I have people who can hack a number no matter where in the world.”

Yes, I hacked Jaya’s number, and she doesn’t even know it. I researched Jaya Parekh and bribed her secretary to drop a fake message to Jhanvi about Jaya flying to India on a specific flight. On the other hand, we conveyed to Jaya that Mohit-Jhanvi's wedding got postponed. I even made sure Jaya and Jhanvi didn’t speak to each other until I married the latter.

“You mean Jaya was never abducted and you fooled me that her life is in danger?”

I nod.

“And Mohit and Daadi? Are they safe too?”

“For now, yes.”

The moment I say this, Jhanvi reaches me and starts punching my chest with her tight fists.

“You devil. You ruined my life. I hate you. I hate you so much.. I..”

Though her punches don’t hurt, I grab her wrists and haul Jhanvi to me. She struggles, bites my fingers and even tries to kick me, but when nothing works, she gives up. Tears don’t stop rolling down her cheeks.

“You can hate me all you want, Jaan. But one day you will realize what good I have done for you and you will thank me.”

She glares back.

“Give any number of excuses, Aarav, none of them will soften me for you. I didn’t know I could ever hate someone as much as I hate you now and believe me when I say, I am too good at keeping it that way.”

Jhanvi pushes me so hard this time that I have to free her.

“You fooled me to marry you. I don’t consider this marriage nor do I take you as my husband.”

Saying that, she turns around to leave.

“Where do you think you are going?” I shout.

I didn’t expect her to answer, but she does and that too stopping by and meeting my gaze again.

“I am going back to the Raichands, where I always belonged. If you have guts, try to stop me.”

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