She slept, but Aarav couldn’t. His heart was uneasy about her. He got up and went to the balcony, staring into the night.

“Whatever this is, Siya… I know you’re planning something,” he whispered to himself.

He remembered her—how she never bent, even in the worst situations. And after losing her loved ones, he knew she wouldn’t remain quiet. He wasn’t sure if it was revenge she was planning, but he knew she could do it… because she was Siya.

He sighed and thought, I wish I could be the one she could share everything with.

He remembered how they used to argue, and he would get angry. But now, seeing her like this, he felt pity and sadness. He wanted to forget the past and start a new life, yet Siya… she was still suffering silently inside.

After some time, he returned to the room. Her face was calm on the surface, but he could see the unrest beneath. He lay down beside her, careful not to disturb her, and after a while, sleep finally claimed him too.

The next morning, Siya woke up early.

After breakfast, Aarav left for his office.

As soon as he was gone, Siya returned to her room and locked the door.

She took out her diary from the locker and sat on the bed.

Opening it slowly, she began reading the names she had written.

Her eyes stopped at two names.

“Raj Mittal… Akhil Mittal…”

She leaned back slightly.

“Their parents are already dead,” she murmured to herself.

She picked up her phone and dialed a number.

“Yes,” she said once the call connected. “Find out their net worth. All properties. Businesses. Every detail. I want everything.”

There was a pause.

“Start immediately.”

She hung up.

Her fingers tapped lightly on the diary.

“Akhil Mittal…” she repeated thoughtfully.

Just then—

Knock knock.

She quickly closed the diary.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Bhabhi!” Paakhi’s cheerful voice came from outside.

Siya opened the door.

“What happened?”

“Nothing,” Paakhi said dramatically. “I’m bored. Let’s go somewhere.”

“Where?”

“A restaurant!”

Siya hesitated for a second.

Then nodded. “Fine.”

They walked to the living room.

Kavita looked up. “Are you both going somewhere?”

“Yes, Mom,” Siya replied.

Paakhi added, “Mom, I want to go out!”

Kavita smiled slightly. “Alright. But the driver is on leave today.”

“It’s okay, Mom,” Siya said confidently. “I can drive. I have a license.”

Paakhi grinned. “See! Let’s go!”

Kavita nodded. “Fine. Go carefully.”

Siya turned to her. “Mom, you also come.”

Kavita shook her head gently. “No, I have some work.”

A few minutes later—

Siya sat in the driver’s seat.

Paakhi beside her.

She started the car.

And drove out of the Goenka mansion.

But while Paakhi hummed along to the music—

Siya’s mind wasn’t on the road alone.

It was on the Mittals.

And the game she had just begun.

They reached the restaurant.

Soft instrumental music played in the background. The place was warm, elegant, peaceful.

Siya and Paakhi stepped inside and took a table near the corner.

Siya picked up the menu—

And froze.

Her eyes locked onto someone across the hall.

Her fingers tightened.

“Vansh…” she whispered.

Paakhi looked confused. “What happened, Bhabhi?”

But Siya wasn’t listening.

Across the room sat Vansh.

Laughing.

Comfortably seated with another girl.

As if nothing had ever happened.

As if he hadn’t once been her groom.

As if he hadn’t disappeared.

As if his baraat hadn’t failed to arrive.

Suddenly—

Voices echoed in her mind.

“The baraat hasn’t come…”

“What will people say?”

“Poor girl…”

Relatives whispering.

Judging eyes.

Humiliation.

Her jaw clenched.

Her breathing slowed.

Controlled.

Paakhi followed her gaze.

She saw him.

And understood.

That was the man chosen for Siya.

The one who never showed up.

Paakhi immediately leaned closer.

“Bhabhi… let’s go somewhere else.”

But Siya was already standing.

“Bhabhi—”

She didn’t listen.

Her heels echoed sharply against the floor.

Straight.

Towards him.

Each step steady.

Each step fueled by something she had buried long ago.

Vansh looked up casually—

And his expression dropped.

He recognized her.

Too late.