Aarav's eyes softened as he looked at his daughter. His heart swelled with both sorrow and pride. The enormity of her sacrifice, of her inner turmoil, broke him in ways he hadn't expected. He gently took her trembling hands away from her face, pulling her into a deep embrace. His own tears welled up, blurring his vision as his chest tightened with a mixture of pride, love, and an ache that only a father could feel for his child.

"Nahi, Khushi," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, "Tumhe maafi mangne ki zaroorat nahi hai." His voice cracked as he continued, the realization of her selflessness crashing over him. "Tumne jo kiya, mere liye tha, beta. Itni si hoke tum itni badi ho gayi." He held her tighter, as though trying to shield her from all the pain that had ever touched her.

Khushi shook her head, her tears spilling faster. "Kya karun, Dadda?" she cried, her voice trembling with anguish. "Meri janam dene waali aurat mere liye shraap hai... main nahi dekh sakti thi aapko phir se toote hue! Panic attacks aapko aate they aur jaan meri jaati thi!" Her voice broke further, each word a knife to her heart. "Aapke dard ki ek wajah main khud thi, Dadda... I gave you hatred, jiski wajah se aap alcoholic ban gaye they." She looked up at him, her face etched with sorrow. "I just wanted my Dadda to get the love he deserved."

Aarav's heart shattered at her words, and his grip on her tightened even more. His daughter had been through so much, her own battle against a darkness that she had not deserved. "Khushi," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion, "Tum meri beti ho, aur tumhara pyaar hi mere jeene ki wajah hai. Jo kuch bhi tumne kiya, wo sirf meri khushi ke liye tha. Tumhe kabhi khud ko dosh dene ki zaroorat nahi hai."

The embrace lingered, warm and filled with unspoken promises of forgiveness, healing, and love. Aarav's tears mingled with Khushi's as they held each other, the pain of the past dissolving into the love they shared in that quiet moment.

As the intensity of the moment settled, Khushi gently pulled away from Aarav, her eyes still glistening but now filled with determination. She turned to Manvi, whose watchful gaze had been filled with a blend of pride and compassion. Khushi hesitated for a moment, her heart hammering in her chest, before stepping toward Manvi.

Khushi reached out, her hand trembling as she took Manvi's in hers. The gesture was simple, but the weight of what it represented was profound. "I am sorry, Mumma," she began, her voice barely a whisper, thick with remorse. "Maine aapko hurt kiya... Aapko dost bulana shuru kar diya, yeh bhi kaha aap meri maa nahi ban sakti..." Her voice cracked under the weight of her confession, and her tears flowed anew. "Par sach yeh hai ki maine hamesha aap mein apni maa ko dekha." Her grip on Manvi's hand tightened, as if clinging to the love she feared she had lost. "For me, you were and always will be my mumma."

The vulnerability in Khushi's voice and the rawness of her emotions struck a deep chord in Manvi. Manvi's face softened with a tenderness only a mother could show. She reached up and gently wiped the tears from Khushi's cheeks, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The warmth of her touch radiated love, forgiveness, and acceptance.

"Nahi, Khushi," Manvi whispered, her voice filled with understanding. "Mera dil hamesha se kehta tha ki tum mera aur Aaravji ka saath nahi chod sakti." Her voice held a steady, reassuring tone as she looked deep into Khushi's eyes. "Tumhare andar bhale hi Maya ka khoon ho, par parvarish tumhare dadda ki hai, aur meri bhi." Her lips curved into a soft smile, full of love and pride for the young woman standing before her.

Khushi's face lit up with a relieved smile, her gratitude palpable. She moved closer, her emotions raw and sincere, and enveloped Manvi in a tight embrace. The hug was a silent promise of newfound understanding and affection. The gentle pressure of Khushi's arms around Manvi seemed to convey everything words could not fully capture—a deep-seated apology, a heartfelt acceptance, and a reaffirmation of their bond.

The two stood in a heartfelt embrace, the world around them fading into a blur of muted colors and distant sounds. In that embrace, they shared an unspoken resolution: to move forward together, strengthened by their love and mutual respect. The warmth of their connection was a beacon of hope and reconciliation, promising a future where past wounds would heal and the bonds of family would grow ever stronger.

Maya stood like a statue, her face contorted with rage and disbelief. The lavish wedding hall, once a scene of vibrant celebration, now felt oppressive with her simmering anger. Her eyes, darkened with bitterness, followed the warm interactions between Aarav, Khushi, and Manvi. Her return from jail had been fraught with expectations of reclaiming her place, but she was met with a reality she hadn't anticipated—one where her estranged family had found healing and unity, all thanks to the woman she had so desperately sought to undermine.

Manvi's gaze never wavered as she walked toward Maya, her steps measured and confident. There was a calm intensity in her demeanor, an unspoken power that came not from anger, but from the clarity of knowing she had won—won the heart of her family, won the trust of her daughter, and won the battle against a woman who had caused so much pain. Her lips curved into a subtle smile, one that carried the weight of both triumph and pity, as she spoke.

"Maya," she began, her voice steady yet filled with restrained emotion, "tumne Aaravji se pyaar kiya hi nahi. Agar karti, toh unhe itni saza nahi deti." Her words were laced with the memories of all the pain Maya had inflicted on Aarav. Manvi's eyes softened, recalling the physical and emotional scars she had seen on her husband—the deep, lingering wounds that Maya's cruelty had left behind. "Aaj bhi unke jism par tumhare diye ghav hai... jinhe wo jeetna bhoolna chahe, bhool nahi paate," she continued, her tone colored with the weight of her own suffering, having watched Aarav relive those agonizing moments again and again.

Maya's eyes narrowed, her rage barely concealed behind a mask of silence as Khushi stepped forward. Her once trembling voice now rang with a newfound strength, resonating with clarity and purpose. "Maya!" she began, her gaze unwavering, each word carrying the weight of years of pent-up frustration and betrayal. "Tum ek chaar saal ki bachi ko nafrat sikha ke gayi thi!" Khushi's words were like a blade slicing through the air, unforgiving and sharp. "Main itni rude, arrogant, selfish insaan ban gayi ki maine apne dadda ko baarah saal tak takleef di." Her voice shook with emotion, raw with guilt and self-reproach, but her expression held a fierce resolve. She looked at Manvi then, her face softening with a gratitude that ran deep. "Phir yeh aayi... meri teacher ban ke. Mujhe badla, mere soye hue emotions ko jagaya, aur mujhe mere dadda ke qareeb laayi." She paused, her voice brimming with conviction. "Yeh hoti hai maa... tum jaisi aurat nahi."

The power of Khushi's words left Maya frozen, her confidence dissolving as she saw her daughter—once molded by her bitterness—now transformed, standing in defiance. Khushi's eyes gleamed with a strength Maya had never seen before. The young girl she once manipulated was now a young woman, her innocence restored, her compassion rekindled.

"And another thing!" Khushi's voice rose, laced with an anger that had been simmering for years. "Kal raat aapki wajah se maine apne hi dadda ke character par sawal uthaye!" Her words struck like lightning, sharp and unrelenting. "Jab dadda ne tumse shaadi ki thi toh tumne unhe sirf takleef di. Cruel punishments, unhe unhi ki nazron mein gira diya tumne! Tumhari aur meri so-called sauteli daadi ki wajah se hi dadda ko auraton se nafrat ho gayi thi. Lekin dost ke pyaar ne unhe phir se badla, unke andar woh pehle wala insaan jagaya." Khushi's eyes narrowed, her voice unyielding. "So, Miss Maya, mere dadda ka character assassination karne ka haq tumhara nahi hai."

The room fell silent, her words lingering in the air, each one a declaration of truth that Maya could no longer ignore or manipulate.

Aarav, who had been silently observing, finally stepped forward. His gaze, steady and intense, fixed on Maya. His expression was resolute, stripped of any residual affection or regret, replaced by an unbreakable resolve. "Maya, dekha? Yeh hai meri beti!" His voice was calm yet powerful, filled with pride and relief that Khushi had finally emerged from the shadows of bitterness. "Bhale hi tumne ise janam diya ho, par paala maine hai," he said, his tone resolute, carrying the weight of years of silent dedication. "Uska har ek dard, har ek khushi maine dekha hai. Jabse paida hui tabse paala hai."

His voice softened as he turned to look at Manvi, the woman who had restored joy and love to his life. "Khushi sirf mera khoon hai," he declared, his voice filled with finality. "Aur Manvi uski mumma hai... tum nahi." His words settled in the room like a quiet thunder, closing the chapter on the power Maya once held.

The intensity in Aarav's tone left no room for doubt—this was the family he had chosen, the life he had built, and Maya had no place in it. His gaze softened slightly as he looked at Khushi, pride swelling in his chest. She had come full circle—no longer the little girl poisoned by Maya's venom, but a strong, independent woman who knew the value of love and loyalty.

Then Aarav's expression hardened again as he turned back to Maya. "Kaha tha tumse, Maya," he said, his voice cold but laced with an undercurrent of sorrow. "Maine na Manvi ko chhodunga aur na apni beti khoyunga." His words rang with finality. He had made his choice, and that choice was his family—Khushi and Manvi.

Maya's defiant posture began to waver as the weight of Aarav's words settled heavily around her. The vibrant colors of the wedding decor blurred into a haze, the joyful atmosphere turning stark and somber. As the reality of her defeat washed over her like a relentless tidal wave, Maya felt stripped of all the control she had so fiercely clung to. The vibrant fabrics that adorned the hall seemed to mock her, each swathe of silk and satin a reminder of what she had lost.

Manvi, embodying a poised confidence, allowed a small smile to blossom on her lips, her demeanor light yet unwavering. She stepped forward, her voice imbued with a playful lilt that concealed a steely resolve. "Maya," she began, her eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and victory, "ab tumhe samajh mein aa jaana chahiye ki Aaravji aur Khushi ki life mein tumhari koi jagah nahi hai." The firmness in her tone contrasted sharply with the playful note, a warning wrapped in the guise of light-heartedness. "Ainda mere parivar ke aas bhi mat dikhna."

Each word dripped with finality, a declaration that Maya's influence was effectively extinguished. There was no longer a place for her in their lives, and Manvi's message was crystal clear: she was no longer a threat.

Maya's defiance flickered momentarily, only to be reignited as she retorted, "Lekin tumhari fitrat bhi achi tarah se janti hun, main phirse koshish karungi Khushi ko mujhse aur Aaravji se door karne ki." Her voice was tinged with a desperate defiance, but there was a tremor of uncertainty beneath the bravado. "Wo rasta bhi maine band kar diya hai tumhare liye," Manvi shot back, her confidence unshakeable.

With a calculated poise, Manvi pulled out a stack of papers from her bag, handing them to Maya with a flourish. "Yeh hai Khushi ke legal custody papers," she announced, her voice steady. "Tumhare police records ki wajah se bahut aasani hui Khushi ki custody humhe milne mein."

Aarav's expression morphed into one of shock, disbelief etched across his features. "Yeh kab kiya tumne, Manvi?" he questioned, his voice low and incredulous.

Manvi met his gaze with a warm smile, her demeanor triumphant. "Aaravji, jab maine Maya ko pehli baar dekha tabse hi main yeh sab soch rahi thi. Isliye aapse kehti rahi ki shaadi nahi rukni chahiye." Her words, filled with assurance, hinted at the quiet determination that had fueled her actions all along.

Maya snatched the papers from Manvi's hand, her hands trembling as she read through the contents. Shock washed over her, the realization sinking in like lead. "Congratulations on your lose," Manvi said, her tone almost teasing as she watched Maya process the implications of the custody papers.

"Ab legally Aaravji bhi mere husband hai aur Khushi bhi meri beti!" Manvi declared with an air of triumph. She allowed herself a playful smirk, tilting her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Kya kaha tha maine tumse? Aajka Aarav kamzor nahi, takaatvar hai, business tycoon hai!"

The weight of her victory hung in the air, and the victorious light in her eyes glimmered with a joy that Maya could only stare at, defeated.

Manvi's expression shifted as she wrapped up the confrontation, a teasing edge to her voice. "Now, please excuse us," she added, her tone infused with playful audacity, "Mujhe mere pati ke saath suhagraat manani hai." The words rolled off her tongue with ease, a declaration of not just her win, but the life she had always envisioned with Aarav, now within her grasp.

Maya stood frozen, unable to comprehend the reality that had unfolded before her. The family she had tried so hard to tear apart was standing united, stronger than ever, and she had been rendered powerless, a mere shadow of her former self.

With a graceful turn, Manvi extended her hand, which Khushi promptly took, while Aarav joined them, linking their hands together. The simple yet profound gesture was a silent statement of their united front, a symbol of their shared strength and unbreakable bond. As they walked away, their steps were filled with purpose and harmony, leaving Maya standing alone amidst the remnants of a celebration now turned somber by her own actions.

The three of them moved forward, their presence a beacon of hope and renewal, while Maya remained behind, enveloped in her own tumultuous emotions. The separation was marked not by dramatic farewells but by a quiet, resolute departure, signaling the end of a chapter fraught with conflict and the beginning of a new era for those who had triumphed over adversity.

As Khushi and Manvi sat in the car, a quiet unease settled between them. The engine hummed softly, but the tension in the air was palpable. Aarav stood outside, his expression serious, and he turned to them with a reassuring smile. "Tum dono baitho, main abhi aaya," he said firmly, his tone calm yet resolute.

Manvi, sensing what was about to happen, felt a flicker of concern. Her brow furrowed slightly as she leaned forward, her voice gentle but lined with worry. "Aaravji... dhyan se," she called after him, knowing all too well where he was heading.

Aarav paused for a moment, his eyes meeting hers through the car window. The love and trust they had rebuilt over the past few weeks passed between them in that brief glance. His lips curved into a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Don't worry," he said, his voice steady, before turning on his heel and walking back toward the looming figure of Maya, who still lingered in the shadows.

As Aarav walked away from the car, both Khushi and Manvi sat silently, watching him stride purposefully back toward the place where Maya stood, still reeling from her defeat. Khushi turned to her mother, concern etched on her face. "Dadda ab kyun gaye hai?" she asked, a flicker of worry creeping into her voice.

Manvi, ever calm and composed, gave her a knowing smile. "Tumhe lagta hai tumhare dadda Maya ko issi tarah khula chod denge itna sab hone ke baad?" she asked, her tone matter-of-fact. Khushi, deep down, knew her father better than that. She shook her head, realizing that Aarav wasn't the type to leave things unfinished.

As Aarav approached Maya, he found her standing there, stunned by the weight of her own downfall. Her usual cold confidence had crumbled, leaving her staring blankly into the distance. Aarav's presence snapped her out of her daze, and her eyes flickered with defiance, though the fire within her had dulled considerably.

Aarav smiled, but it was a smile that carried no warmth, only the satisfaction of a man finally closing the chapter on a painful part of his life. "Kya hua, Maya?" he asked, his voice steady, almost mocking. "Bardasht nahi hui apni haar?" He leaned in slightly, his tone hardening as he continued. "Tumhari wajah se main guilt mein raha ki maine Manvi ko dhoka diya. You tried to snatch my daughter from me." His voice grew colder with each word. "Lekin ab... ab main tumhare aur games nahi chalne dunga. Samjhi tum?"

Maya, though shaken, tried to regain her composure. Her lips twisted into a sneer as she met his gaze. "Aarav, Maya nahi haarti. Kabhi nahi," she spat out, her voice dripping with bitterness. It was the last remnant of her pride, but it was clear even to her that the power she once wielded over him was gone.

Aarav's smile widened, but this time, it was filled with a sense of finality. "Of course," he said, almost casually. "Lekin ab... main tumhe meri zindagi mein aur dhakkal nahi dene dunga." There was a cool determination in his voice, one that left no room for argument. He had made up his mind, and Maya no longer held any sway over him.

Just then, the distant sound of police sirens filled the air, and Maya's eyes widened in shock. Aarav stepped aside as two police cars pulled up, red and blue lights flashing, casting an eerie glow over the scene. As the officers approached, Aarav turned toward them and handed over the evidence—the videos Khushi had made that captured Maya's manipulative actions. "Inspector," Aarav said, his voice firm and commanding, "Make sure yeh aurat iss baar jail se bahar na aaye."

 The inspector, a middle-aged man with a serious expression, nodded immediately. "Don't worry, Sir. Yeh ab bahar nahi aayegi," he assured Aarav, recognizing the gravity of the situation.

A lady constable stepped forward, grabbing Maya's arm and pulling her hands behind her back to handcuff her. Maya, still in disbelief, struggled for a moment, but her fight was weak, drained by the reality of her defeat. "Aarav!" she called out, her voice rising in desperation, but it fell on deaf ears.

Aarav watched silently as the police escorted her to the car, her protests fading into the distance. The doors slammed shut, and as the car sped away, taking Maya with it, a weight seemed to lift off Aarav's shoulders. He took a deep breath, feeling the long-awaited relief wash over him. The woman who had haunted his life, caused so much pain, and tried to tear apart his family, was finally out of his life for good.

As Aarav turned on his heel and walked back toward the car where Khushi and Manvi waited, a sense of calm washed over him. For the first time in years, his heart felt light, as if the burden of the past had finally been lifted. With each step, he knew he was leaving behind the storm that had once threatened to tear his family apart.

The grand entrance of Malhotra Mansion shimmered in the soft evening light, adorned with intricate floral arrangements and glowing lanterns. The mansion stood tall, like a beacon of hope, ready to embrace the new beginning that awaited the Malhotra family. Sharda, stood at the entrance, her heart swelling with anticipation. Dressed in a richly embroidered saree, her presence exuded grace and warmth. She had long waited for this moment, where her son and his family would finally find the happiness they deserved.

As the car came to a gentle halt, Sharda's eyes sparkled with joy. Aarav, Manvi, and Khushi stepped out, their expressions a mix of relief and quiet excitement. The moment felt sacred, filled with the promise of new beginnings and healing.

Sharda approached them with the traditional thali for the aarti, her hands steady as she performed the ritual with reverence. The small diya flickered softly, casting a golden glow on their faces, while the rhythmic sound of the bell in her hand echoed through the entrance. The air was thick with emotion as Sharda's eyes misted over, but her smile remained radiant. She whispered softly, "Aap sab ka ghar mein swagat hai."

Khushi, filled with excitement and a sense of victory over all that had happened, could hardly contain herself. She quickly slipped inside and returned with a kalash filled with rice, placing it delicately at the doorstep. The kalash, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, gleamed in the dim light.

With a playful smile, she nudged Manvi. "Mumma, jaldi se ise girake apne kadam iss ghar mein rakho... aur hamesha ke liye mere dadda ko unke ateet se mukt kardo."

Manvi laughed softly at Khushi's enthusiasm. Her heart swelled with affection for her stepdaughter, who had shown so much strength and maturity throughout their journey. With a gentle but purposeful movement, Manvi nudged the kalash, watching as it toppled and spilled its contents, a sign of welcome into her new home. As she stepped forward, her feet dipped into the plate of red kumkum water, leaving behind vibrant, red footprints on the white marble floor—each step a mark of her arrival, her commitment to this family, and her love for Aarav.

They walked together into the heart of the mansion, where the family temple awaited them, adorned with fragrant jasmine flowers and soft flickering oil lamps. The peaceful atmosphere of the temple filled the air with serenity, offering a moment of quiet reflection after the storm they had weathered. Aarav and Manvi knelt before the deities, their hearts filled with gratitude and hope. They lit the lamp together, the soft glow illuminating their faces as they offered their prayers.

Manvi closed her eyes, her heart swelling with emotion as she whispered her prayer. "Kanhaji, aaj main apni zindagi ki nayi shuruwat kar rahi hun. Mujhe itni himmat dijiyega ki main apne parivar ko Maya naam ki bala se hamesha door rakh sakun, aur apne pati ko wo pyaar de sakun jiske liye wo hamesha tarse hai. Aur meri beti, Khushi, ko kabhi ehsaas na hone dun ki main uski sauteli maa hun."

Beside her, Aarav's heart was full. He too whispered his prayer, his voice low but filled with sincerity. "Kanhaji, mere jitne bhi qareeb log they sab aapke paas hai. Ab bas meri beti aur meri pyaar ko mujhse door mat karna. Yeh dono mere jeene ki wajah hai."

Khushi, standing behind them, closed her eyes tightly, her hands folded in prayer. She too had a wish to share with her Kanhaji. "Kanhaji, mere dadda aur mumma ko hamesha khush rakhna. Jis aurat ne mujhe janam diya, ab uska saaya bhi mat padhne dena hamari zindagi mein."

The quiet prayers hung in the air like a promise, unspoken yet deeply understood by each of them. When they opened their eyes, their gazes met, filled with warmth and understanding. The tension that had once lingered in their lives had dissolved, replaced by a sense of peace and unity.

As they stood together in that sacred space, bathed in the soft glow of the temple lights, they knew that this was the beginning of something beautiful. It was a fresh chapter—one filled with love, strength, and the unbreakable bond of family. And no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, side by side, as they always had.

❤️❤️ Thank you for loving the last chapter. ❤️ Ending the story soon...