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She doesn’t pick the file from my hand and keeps arguing.

“You might have forged Jhanvi’s signatures.”

“We have a video recorded where she signed these papers. And if you still don’t wish to believe it, you can ask Jhanvi herself. Ask her if she married me or not? Check the right drawer of her dressing table where she is hiding the Mangalsutra I tied on her neck that day.”

Durga Raichand turns to Jhanvi who is speechless at the moment and as far as I know, she will not negate any of this. Jhanvi might have delayed telling them the truth of our marriage, but now that the matter is out, she will not hide it. I am sure of that.

“What is he saying, Jhanvi?” Durga Raichand yells at her. “Just say it’s all a sham. He is framing you; I know. Mohit and I believe you will do none of this.”

“Jhanvi, say it,” Mohit screams, stopping his own struggle to set free. “Just say it and I will show Aarav what it means to mess with my fiancée.”

Tears that were pooled in Jhanvi’s eyes now roll down her cheeks. I hate to see her like this. She doesn’t even look at me once and cries her heart out. Something stirs in my heart, seeing her so helpless. Jhanvi Sikand is just a casualty in my game of revenge and somehow, now, that truth bites me. Wish I could do this any other way.

“We are waiting, Jhanvi,” Daadi grabs her arm. “Say something and finish this confusion Aarav has created. Tell us he is lying, and that you didn’t marry him.”

“I married him,” Jhanvi answers, finally giving away her fear.

I take a sigh of relief and don’t miss to see the rage on Durga Raichand’s face. Mohit goes cold at her acceptance and then uses all his force to get off my guard’s grip. He strides back to Jhanvi.

“You married him?”

“I had to Mohit. He tricked me with Jaya’s life. And he also threatened me to hurt you and snatch the Raichand Mansion from Daadi.”

Daadi looks away when Jhanvi holds her hand.

“Believe me, I married him only to save us all. I didn’t know he was lying Daadi.”

“Don’t,” Durga Raichand shrugs off Jhanvi’s arm. “Don’t you give me any explanations now. I can’t believe he could fool you, Jhanvi? I thought you are the most sensible woman for Mohit and you could guide Mohit to make better decisions in life by becoming his life partner but you failed me. You ruined everything we had between us from all these years.”

“No, please try to understand me, Daadi. I-” Jhanvi pleads but Mohit is too raged to hear her out.

“Enough. One more word and I swear I will do something you will repent for your entire life,” he yells.

That’s when I stand between them, shielding my wife from these heartless people.

“And one more word against my wife and you will not be alive to see tomorrow’s dawn, Mohit Raichand,” I bark.

Soon the guards surround us at my gestures.

“Show them the exit and make sure they are not in the vicinity of this hotel in the next 10 minutes.”

My commands are enough for the guards to escort the Raichands out. Mohit fights back when one guard touches him, but he is too drunk to use his strength. It is Durga Raichand who holds his hand protectively.

“Don’t touch my grandson. We are leaving.”

Despite her failure, she maintains her baseless attitude and drags Mohit away without even glancing at Jhanvi or me. Jhanvi follows them a few steps.

“Daadi, please listen to me. He tricked me, Daadi. Mohit? Mohit, don’t leave me here. Mohit.. Daadi..”

She follows them some more until she realizes they won’t stop for her nor believe. It pricks me to see Jhanvi pleading to those Raichands. I promise this is the last time she is doing that because henceforth, I will never let such worthless people in her life anymore. Before I can celebrate my victory, I see Jhanvi touching her forehead. With her eyes closing, she is about to lose her balance and faint. I rush there and scoop Jhanvi in my arms, not letting her collapse on the ground.

“Jhanvi,” I pat her cheeks but to no luck. She’s unconscious. “Security. Get the car out,” I shout whilst leaning down and carrying her pale body in my arms.

I knew tonight would be emotionally high for her but never thought this is how it will end.

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AR Mansion

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