The engagement party finally dissolved into soft laughter, fading music, and guests reluctantly making their exits. The decorators had begun taking down the floral arches, and the chandeliers dimmed to a warm honey glow. The Sharma mansion felt suddenly quieter...almost too quiet after an evening filled with clinking glasses and camera flashes.

Mrs. Meera Sharma walked inside the house, her steps slower than usual. There was a strange heaviness in her chest, something she had not allowed herself to feel for years—

Not after Arohi walked out on them. She slipped into her room, closed the door behind her, and took a trembling breath before dialing her husband’s number.

He picked up in two rings.

“I saw her today,” Meera whispered, her voice barely steady. “Arohi. She was here. At the party.”

There was a brief pause on the other end before Mr. Sharma sighed. “Yes… I already heard. Vedh is the man she married.”

The silence that followed was thick with memories neither of them wished to touch.

“But what do we do now?” Meera said softly, sinking onto the edge of her bed. “She looked… older, distant. Not the same girl who used to hold my hand and follow me everywhere.”

“There’s nothing we can do,” he replied, his tone gentle but resigned. “She chose to cut ties with us, Meera. For him. For that marriage. We have to accept it. Let’s not involve ourselves in her life anymore.”

Her throat tightened. “Hmm… maybe you’re right.”

“Get some rest,” he added, and the call ended with a click that felt too final.

As Meera lowered the phone, she rubbed at her temples, trying to push away the ache.

Just then, the door opened, and Ruaan stepped in, scrolling through his phone. “Mom, what happened? You look tired.”

She looked up quickly, forcing a smile. “Nothing beta, it’s just… seeing Arohi after so long brought back some old memories. That’s all.”

Ruaan gave a short nod. “It’s fine, Mom. It’s all in the past.”

“Yes. Yes, let’s leave that.” Meera stood, smoothing her saree. “Tell me, how are the arrangements for tomorrow? Did everything get ready?”

“All set,” Ruaan replied. “Everything is perfect.”

“That’s good.” Meera let out a relieved sigh. “Since you said you both like each other, you know you must not make her unhappy in your marriage. Arguments happen in every relationship, but misunderstandings… they destroy things. Don’t let them ruin what you have, hmm?”

Ruaan froze for a brief second. Her words struck deeper than she could ever imagine.

If only she knew…

If she knew this marriage was a façade—

something constructed solely for the public eye, inked by lawyers, timed by PR teams… If she knew there was no love, not even true companionship, only an agreement bound by signatures…

What would she think of him?

Would she still say the same things?

Would she still smile proudly, believing her son had finally chosen happiness?

Or would her disappointment cut deeper than Arohi’s departure ever did?

Ruaan swallowed hard and simply nodded. “I know, Mom.”

“Good,” she said softly, patting his cheek. “Now go sleep. Big day tomorrow.”

“You should sleep too,” he replied, escaping the room before the guilt in his chest could grow heavier.

As he walked toward his room, the weight of the secret marriage contract followed him like a shadow, whispering that the real battle was just beginning.

To be continued....