Aarav reached the Goenka mansion.

The moment he stepped inside, he looked around.

“Where’s Siya?”

Paakhi glanced up. “Bhabhi is in her room.”

He nodded and went upstairs without wasting another second.

Inside the room—

Siya was standing near the window, looking outside.

She heard the door close.

She didn’t turn immediately.

She knew.

He had come.

“Siya.”

She sighed softly and turned around.

“Yes?”

He looked at her for a moment.

“Today…”

She raised a brow. “Yes. Today I slapped him so.”

No hesitation.

No guilt.

Aarav smirked slightly and walked closer.

“You didn’t even hesitate.”

She met his gaze.

“When he didn’t hesitate to humiliate me… why should I?”

Her eyes didn’t waver.

Aarav’s smile deepened — not mocking, not teasing.

Proud.

“I’m happy,” he said quietly. “My old Siya is back.”

She froze.

Just for a second.

That sentence hit somewhere deeper than she expected.

But she recovered quickly.

“Whatever,” she said coldly. “I’m not yours.”

She turned and started walking toward the door.

Behind her, he smiled.

Soft.

Certain.

“You are,” he said calmly. “You just haven’t realized it yet.”

She stopped.

Just for a moment.

But she didn’t turn.

And that was enough for him.

He saw it.

The pause.

The hesitation.

The crack in her defense.

She walked away.

But her thoughts weren’t calm.

What does he think of himself?

Her jaw tightened.

Whatever. I need to dig further into the past.

Her eyes hardened again.

Tomorrow… I’ll go to Singhania Mansion.

The war wasn’t over.

It was only beginning.

Morning sunlight filled the Goenka mansion.

Everyone was seated at the breakfast table.

Kavita looked around and said warmly,

“From tomorrow, the wedding functions will start. We all have to attend.”

Siya looked up. “Mom… whose wedding?”

“Our close relatives,” Kavita replied. “We’ll have to be there for a few days.”

Siya nodded slowly.

But inside—

Her thoughts were restless.

Not now…

Things will get delayed again.

She kept her expression neutral.

Aarav noticed.

He didn’t say anything.

But he noticed.

After breakfast, Siya walked toward Kavita.

“Mom… I wanted to go to my home today.”

Kavita looked at her gently. “Is it important, beta? Why suddenly?”

“No, Mom… nothing urgent. I just wanted to go.”

Kavita sighed softly.

“I would let you go, but from tomorrow we’ll be busy with wedding functions. It won’t look nice if you’re not there.”

Siya looked at her silently.

Kavita smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Go after some time, okay? You’re newly married. These things matter.”

Siya forced a small smile.

“Okay, Mom.”

But deep down—

She sighed.

Everything is getting delayed…

Paakhi rushed toward her.

“Bhabhi! Come with me, I need your help.”

“With what?” Siya asked.

“You’ll see,” Paakhi grinned.

Siya nodded and followed her.

Outwardly calm.

Inwardly impatient.

The clock was ticking.

And she didn’t like losing time.

Paakhi dragged Siya into her room.

“Bhabhi! Help me decide what to pack.”

Siya looked at the open suitcase filled with colorful outfits.

“Haldi is first, right?” she asked.

Paakhi nodded excitedly. “Yes!”

Siya picked up a soft yellow dress and held it up.

“This one. It’s pretty. Perfect for haldi.”

Paakhi smiled. “Really?”

“Yes. Simple, elegant. You’ll look good.”

Paakhi happily folded it and placed it inside the suitcase.

They continued packing together.

“We’re going to enjoy so much!” Paakhi said cheerfully.

Siya nodded.

But her mind was far away.

Not in wedding songs.

Not in celebrations.

Somewhere darker.

Siya phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen.

“Paakhi, I’ll just come,” she said casually.

Paakhi nodded, still busy packing.

Siya stepped out and went straight to her room.

She closed the door and answered the call.

“Yes.”

The man’s voice sounded serious.

“Ma’am, it seems the Mittals are planning something.”

She went still.

“From the day you confronted them… Raj Mittal has started targeting the Goenkas more aggressively. Please be careful.”

Her jaw tightened.

“Did you find any connection?” she asked. “Business, political, family… anything linking us?”

For a second, a strange thought crossed her mind.

No… we can’t possibly be related…

The man replied, “It’s difficult, ma’am. But I’m still digging.”

“Fine. We’ll meet soon,” she said.

She ended the call.

Silence filled the room.

She began pacing slowly.

How did this enmity grow so deep?

What happened in the past that I still don’t know?

Her instincts told her—

This wasn’t random hatred.

This was old.

Personal.

And buried.