Aarav reached home and saw Khushi with Maya. Khushi ran to him, her medals clinking as she moved. "Dadda, look at my medals!" she exclaimed, her face glowing with pride.

Aarav smiled and handed her the gifts he had bought. "Wow, Dadda... This is beautiful," she said, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Aarav ruffled her hair affectionately. "I'm glad you like them, bache."

As Khushi ran off to show her medals and gifts to her toys, Aarav headed to the bedroom. He placed the phone inside the drawer, taking a deep breath. When he turned around, he saw Maya standing there, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"Itna samay itna sa samaan lene mein?" Maya asked, her tone laced with doubt.

"Woh Khushi ke liye special gift tha na, Maya. Bahut samay laga dhoondhne mein," Aarav explained, trying to sound convincing.

Maya placed her arms across his shoulders and smiled seductively. "My dear husband, kaafi samay se tumne sabit nahi kiya hai that you love me."

Aarav's heart raced. "Maya, Khushi ke saamne..."

"Don't worry, she is going to her friend's house for a sleepover. Sirf tum aur main honge," she said, her voice dripping with anticipation.

Aarav thought, "Yahi mauka hai sab kuch apne haathon mein wapas paane ka."

He managed a small smile. As soon as Khushi left for her friend's house, Aarav headed straight to Sumitra's room. "Main hamesha aapke saath rehna chahta hoon. Bahut zyada pareshan ho gaya hoon main Maya se," he said, his voice trembling with desperation.

Sumitra's eyes lit up with a sinister smile. "Sach?"

"Haan, nahi sah sakta main yeh sab aur... Aap kuch kijiye please," he pleaded.

"Abhi karti hoon," Sumitra said confidently.

"Maya!!!" Sumitra called out loudly, her voice echoing through the house.

Aarav's heart sank as he realized the trap he had just walked into. Maya stepped out of the room, her face contorted with anger. She marched towards him and shoved him to the floor, pressing her heel into his stomach. "Kya laga tumhe ki tum Maya ko manipulate karoge, Aarav?" she spat, her voice filled with venom.

Aarav winced in pain but tried to keep his composure. "Maya, yeh galat hai..."

"Galat? Tumhe abhi tak samajh nahi aaya, Aarav? Tumhe sochne ki bhi ijazat nahi hai!" Maya shouted, digging her heel in deeper.

Sumitra stood by, her arms crossed, watching with a satisfied smirk. "Aarav, tumhe lagta tha tum hamari game ko beat kar sakte ho? Tum sirf ek pawn ho is game mein," she taunted.

Aarav's mind raced as he tried to find a way to turn the tables. "Mujhe maaf karo, Maya... Main sirf thak gaya tha," he said, trying to sound defeated.

Maya eased the pressure slightly but didn't move her heel. Sumitra laughed, bending down to his level. "Uss raat tum mere kamre mein dhoondh rahe they na? Maine dekh liya tha tumhe. Saboot dhoondh rahe they na kaise mujhe aur Maya ko apni zindagi se door kar sako, haina?" she shouted.

Maya raged, "Aarav... Jabse Khushi aayi hai tum toh hamari baat manna hi bhool gaye ho! Chheen lun usey tumse, haan?"

Aarav denied, "Nahi... Please, I am sorry."

"Sorry? Nahi Aarav... Maya, iss baar tumhe asani se maaf nahi karegi," Maya said coldly.

Sumitra grabbed a whip with sharp edges. "Remove your shirt," she shouted.

Tears slipped down his eyes as he silently removed his shirt. Sumitra struck him with the whip, and as the sharp edges cut into his skin, Aarav remembered that she had murdered his father. Rage surged through him, and he grabbed the whip with his hand, shoving her away. "Enough..." he shouted.

Maya glanced at him, furious. "How dare you stop her!" she yelled.

Aarav turned to her, but Maya picked up a knife and placed it to his neck, pressing it against his skin. "Shayad tumhe apni beti se pyaar nahi hai," she threatened.

Aarav calmed down at Khushi's name. "Nahi... Please."

"On your knees," she warned.

He got on his knees. Maya signaled Sumitra, who picked up the whip again and began to hit him hard. "Yaad rahe, iss ghar mein tum sirf hamare isharon pe chaloge, hum tumhare isharon pe nahi," Maya said.

She dropped the knife and left the room with Sumitra. Aarav cried in pain, crawling to the table and using it to get up. He took out the camera he had hidden in the vase, and a smile appeared on his face. "Yahi toh main chahta tha... Ab mera kaam aur aasan ho gaya. Maya, yeh aakhiri baar tha. Iske baad tum ya Sumitra mujhe koi zakhm nahi de paoge," he murmured to himself.

He went to the bedroom, where, as expected, Maya was waiting for him. She applied cream to his wounds and said, "Kyun karte ho aisa, haan? Jante ho kitni takleef hoti hai mujhe iss tarah tumhe hurt karne mein."

"Sorry," he apologized, his voice barely a whisper.

Maya's eyes softened slightly. "Aarav, main tumse pyaar karti hoon, lekin tumhe samajhna hoga ki meri aur Sumitra ki marzi ke bina tum kuch nahi kar sakte. Agar tum humare saath rahoge, toh sab theek ho jayega," she said, her tone almost pleading.

Aarav nodded, knowing he had to keep up the pretense a little longer. Inside, he was determined. The camera had captured everything, and now he had the evidence he needed to turn the tables on them. The end of his torment was near, and he was ready to fight for his and Khushi's freedom.

The next day, Aarav was filled with a renewed sense of purpose. He knew he had to act quickly and carefully to secure his and Khushi's future. First, he sent the video evidence from the hidden camera to his lawyer. This footage would be pivotal in proving the abuse and manipulation he was subjected to.

Aarav also remembered the file Tanya had handed him a while ago. He had kept it hidden, unsure of its contents. He found the file and quickly scanned through its contents. It contained financial documents, property papers, and some old correspondences between his father and various people. Among these were some photos that seemed relevant to his father's case. He took photos of these documents and sent them to the lawyer as well.

"Ab bas wo divorce papers dhoondhne hai jo yeh sabit karenge papa ka khoon kyu hua," he thought.

Aarav knew the divorce papers were crucial. They would not only provide a motive for Sumitra but also solidify his case against her. He needed to find them, but it had to be done discreetly to avoid raising suspicion. Sumitra and Maya were both too dangerous to confront directly without all the evidence in hand.

Later that day, Aarav continued to maintain the façade of normalcy. He played with Khushi, her innocent laughter filling the room and giving him the strength to carry on. He chatted with Maya and Sumitra, all the while keeping a vigilant eye out for the right moment to search for the critical papers.

In the evening, the opportunity finally presented itself. Maya was abosred in a phone call while Sumitra was spending some time with her friends. Aarav knew this was his chance. He quickly and quietly made his way to Sumitra's room, his heart pounding in his chest.

He began searching through the drawers and cupboards, careful not to disturb anything that might give away his intrusion. However, after several tense minutes, he found nothing. Frustration began to set in, but then he remembered something Maya had mentioned in passing: Sumitra had the triumph card.

Realizing his mistake, Aarav quickly made his way to his own room. He searched every nook and cranny, determined to find the papers. After what felt like an eternity, he discovered a hidden compartment at the bottom of a drawer. Inside were several documents, including a set of papers that looked like the divorce documents his father had prepared.

Aarav's heart raced as he scanned through them. There it was: the allegations of child abuse on Aarav, the request for divorce, and the intent to file charges against Sumitra. This was the final piece of the puzzle he needed.

Without wasting a moment, he took photos of the papers with his phone and carefully put everything back exactly as he had found it. His mind buzzed with the possibilities now that he had this crucial evidence.

Back in the safety of his room, Aarav sent the photos to his lawyer with a message: "These are the documents that prove Sumitra's motive. I need your help to take action."

His lawyer replied quickly, acknowledging receipt of the documents and assuring Aarav that they would begin the legal process immediately.

A wave of relief washed over Aarav. The evidence was now in the right hands. It was only a matter of time before Sumitra and Maya's stranglehold over him would be broken. However, he knew he had to remain cautious and vigilant until everything was resolved.

As he put his phone away, he glanced over at Khushi, who was playing with her toys on the bed. Her innocence and joy were a stark contrast to the dark and manipulative world of Sumitra and Maya. Aarav vowed silently to protect her at all costs, ensuring she would grow up in a safe and loving environment, far removed from the toxic influences that had plagued their lives.

The end was finally in sight for Aarav. His resolve to liberate himself and Khushi from Maya and Sumitra's control burned stronger than ever. 

As Aarav prepared to confront Maya and Sumitra with the truth, his daughter Khushi's innocent request to paint with him momentarily tugged at his heart.

"Dadda, chalo na painting karte hai," Khushi pleaded.

Aarav replied regretfully, "Sorry beta, Dadda ko bahut zaroori kaam hai! Baad mein, pakka."

Khushi's disappointment was palpable as Aarav kissed her forehead and hurried out of the house, using the excuse of buying gifts for her. His mind, however, remained focused on the task ahead delivering justice and securing their future.

Meanwhile, Sumitra seized the opportunity to sow doubt in Khushi's mind about Aarav's sudden absence.

"Dekha Khushi, tumhare Dadda ke liye tumse zaroori kuch aur hai," Sumitra remarked slyly.

Khushi, young and impressionable, mulled over Sumitra's words as the uncertainty gnawed at her.

At the lawyer's office, Aarav's tension eased slightly as he confirmed that all the legal preparations were in place.

"Sab papers taiyar hai?" Aarav asked the lawyer.

"Haan, Aarav Sir. Yeh hai Maya ke liye aur yeh aapki sauteli maa ke liye," the lawyer confirmed, handing him two files.

Aarav couldn't help but smile, a mix of relief and determination spreading across his face.

"Ab tum dono ko meri zindagi se jaana hi hoga," Aarav whispered to himself, thanking the lawyer sincerely. Leaving the office, Aarav felt a weight lifting off his shoulders, knowing that justice was finally within reach.

Back home, Khushi awaited her father's return, her mind swirling with Sumitra's unsettling words. As Aarav walked through the door, he caught Khushi's worried glance, but he was prepared. He reassured her with a gentle smile, silently promising her a brighter future.

"Ab sab kuch theek ho jayega, Khushi," Aarav whispered to himself, with renewed determination.

Armed not only with legal documents but also with unwavering love and protection for his daughter, Aarav prepared to confront Maya and Sumitra, knowing that their manipulative hold on their lives was about to end.

Aarav approached Sharda, who was busy preparing a meal for Khushi. "Kaki, main chahta hun kuch din ke liye aap Khushi ko apni beti ke paas le jaayie," he said, his voice laced with urgency.

"Kyun?" Sharda asked, pausing her work and looking up at him with concern.

"Kyuki main nahi chahta meri beti yeh sab dekhe.. yeh sab cheezein jab deemag mein ghar kar leti hai na toh jeena bahut mushkil hota hai," Aarav explained, his eyes reflecting the turmoil within him.

Sharda nodded, understanding his concern. "Thik hai, main le jaungi, lekin aap apna khayal rakhna, Maya," she replied, her voice soft but firm.

Aarav placed his hand on hers, his eyes filled with determination and a hint of desperation. "Sirf Khushi hai, kaki, mere paas khone ke liye aur koi nahi! Main Maya ko usey kabhi harm nahi karne dunga."

Sharda smiled softly, reassured by his resolve, and headed to Khushi's room. She began packing Khushi's things when the little girl, sensing the unusual activity, asked, "Daadi, hum kaha jaa rahe hai?"

"Beta, tumhari bua ke ghar," Sharda replied warmly, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy.

Khushi chuckled with delight. "Bua ke ghal," she repeated, clapping her hands in excitement.

"Shh.. yeh kisiko nahi batana, surprise hai," Sharda whispered conspiratorially.

Khushi nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with the thrill of a secret. Sharda finished packing and gently guided Khushi out of the room. They made their way out of the house quietly, aiming not to attract any attention. At the gate, the security guard stopped them and questioned their departure.

"Dance class ke liye leke jaa rahi hun," Sharda replied calmly, her demeanor unflustered.

The guard, satisfied with the answer, let them pass. Sharda and Khushi exited the society premises, and Sharda hailed an auto-rickshaw. As they settled into the vehicle and it sped away, Sharda silently prayed for Aarav's safety, hoping that he would emerge victorious in his confrontation with Maya and Sumitra. The auto rickshaw wove through the city streets, heading towards the safety and sanctuary of her daughter's house, carrying with it her hopes and prayers for a better future for Aarav and Khushi.

In the dimly lit hall, Aarav took a cloth and began wiping surfaces methodically. His movements were deliberate, but his eyes frequently darted towards the CCTV camera in the corner of the room. After a few moments, he pretended to continue cleaning while subtly placing a small hidden camera inside a vase on a nearby table. Satisfied with his covert action, he resumed his work, his mind racing with thoughts of what the hidden camera might capture.

Suddenly, Sumitra's sharp voice cut through the silence. "Aarav! Saaf safai hi karte rahoge ya khana bhi banaoge? I am hungry!"

Aarav turned to face her, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Khud banalo. Tumhara naukar nahi hun main. Yeh ghar mera hai, samjhi tum?" His tone was firm, conveying his frustration and the underlying tension between them.

Sumitra was shocked at his loud tone. She fumed with anger and threatened, "Shayad tum bhool rahe ho iss ghar mein tumhari aukat kya hai aur main kya kya kar sakti hun."

Aarav threw away the cloth, his patience snapping. "Kya kar lengi aap? Main bhi toh jaanu zara?"

Sumitra's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with menace. "Tumhari beti ko pichli baar sirf seedhi se neeche giraya tha. Iss baar chatt se fhek dungi."

Aarav's face twisted in defiance and fury. "Bas mujhe dara sakti hai aap aur kuch nahi kar sakti! Main aapki ek bhi baat nahi manunga. Bahut sah liya bachpan se, ab aur nahi!" he screamed.

Sumitra, enraged by his defiance, slapped him hard across the face. The force of the blow sent him stumbling, and he hit his head on the coffee table. Blood began to ooze out, trickling down his forehead.

"Itni himmat badh gayi hai tumhari? Shayad tum bhool rahe ho bachpan mein kis tarah maine tumhe chup kar diya tha.." Sumitra's voice was cold and cruel.

Aarav's mind was flooded with memories of his childhood—times when he had been silenced, controlled, and manipulated. Tears slipped down his cheeks, mingling with the blood from his injury. The pain of the past and the present merged, fueling his resolve to protect his daughter and break free from Sumitra's oppressive grip.

"Lagta hai ab wahi game tumhari beti ke saath khilwana padega ghar se naukaron se," Sumitra said with a sinister smile.

Aarav remained calm despite the turmoil inside him. Sumitra bent down to his level, her smile widening. "Chenn lun uski masumiyat? Jis tarah tumhari chennli thi? Jaise tum apne baap ko kuch nahi kah paaye, wo bhi kisiko kuch nahi kah paayegi."

Aarav closed his eyes, his pain intensifying. He was enraged by her words but maintained his calmness, knowing that every word she said was being recorded.

Aarav closed his eyes, his pain intensifying. He was enraged by her words but maintained his calmness, knowing that every word she said was being recorded.

"Main tumhe kabhi meri bachi ka bachpan barbaad nahi karne dunga," he said with quiet determination.

Sumitra laughed mockingly, her voice dripping with malice. "Pehle khudko Maya se toh bachalo, phir apni beti ko bachana."

At that moment, Aarav glanced at the door and saw Maya entering the house, her presence filling the room with an ominous tension. Sumitra's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she said, "Maya, dekho apne pati ko! Phirse apni manmani kar raha hai."

Maya's eyes narrowed as she looked at Aarav, a deep sigh escaping her lips. "Mr. husband, why troubling us?"

Aarav met her gaze, his voice steady and resolute. "Maya, aaj ke baad main tumhari aur inki koi baat nahi manuga," he declared, his defiance palpable.

Maya's expression shifted to one of fury as she stepped towards him. "Toh kya karoge?" she demanded, her voice laced with menace.

Aarav instinctively stepped back, stopping only when his back hit the cold, unforgiving wall. Maya's eyes burned with possessive rage. "Tum sirf mere ho! Tumhari saansein bhi meri hai, samjhe tum?"

"Nahi, meri saanson pe sirf mera haq hai," he retorted, his voice unwavering.

Maya's hands shot out, gripping his face tightly between her palms. "Aaj tumhari zubaan itni kyun chal rahi hai, Aarav? Saza dun tumhe aaj hum dono ke khilaf jaane ki, hmm?" she hissed, her breath hot against his skin.

With a swift motion, Aarav jerked her hands off, a defiant smile playing on his lips. "Isse zyada kuch kar bhi nahi sakti tum."

He turned to move away, but Maya's grip was relentless. She seized his wrist and yanked him back, her fury boiling over. With a swift, brutal motion, she slammed his head against the wall, the impact sending a sharp, excruciating pain through his skull. Blood began to ooze from the wound, a dark, crimson trail trickling down his face.

Maya's voice rose to a fevered pitch as she shouted, "Ab Maya dikhayengi wo kya kar sakti hai!" Her eyes blazed with a manic intensity, leaving no doubt about the lengths she was willing to go.

Maya's eyes gleamed with a sinister light as she scanned the room, finally settling on the lamp on the nearby table. She swiftly unplugged the lamp and tore the wire free, her movements quick and determined.

Aarav's eyes widened as he saw her approaching with the exposed wire, the copper gleaming menacingly. "Maya, yeh kya kar rahi ho?" he pleaded, a note of desperation in his voice.

But Maya was beyond reason. She lunged forward, pressing the exposed wire against his skin. The sudden jolt of electricity coursed through Aarav's body, causing his muscles to spasm uncontrollably. His scream of pain echoed through the room, mingling with Maya's maniacal laughter.

Aarav's body convulsed violently, his vision blurring as the shock continued. His thoughts raced, filled with a mixture of agony and determination. He had to endure, to survive for the sake of his daughter. As the world around him began to fade, he clung to that single, desperate thought: he could not let them destroy his child's future.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, piercing through the haze of his pain. Maya stopped abruptly, the wire still in her hand. Sumitra gave her a look of concern and confusion. "Maya, iss waqt kaun?" she asked.

The servant hurried into the room, his face pale. "Ma'am, legal team aayi hai lawyer ke saath."

Maya and Sumitra exchanged glances, a silent, panicked conversation passing between them. Aarav, still writhing on the floor in pain, managed a weak, triumphant smile. Even in his semi-conscious state, he understood that help had arrived.

The team walked in, their eyes widening in shock as they took in the scene before them. The leader of the group, a stern-looking man in a suit, demanded, "What is happening here?" His gaze fell on the wire in Maya's hand, his expression darkening with suspicion.

Maya quickly dropped the wire, her face contorting into a mask of innocence and concern. "Sir, aap toh jaante hain na ye mentally fit nahi hai! Pata nahi kahan se khud ko hi inhone wire se hurt kar rahe they," she lied, her voice trembling convincingly.

The lawyer stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he looked from Aarav's bleeding head to the wire on the floor. "This is serious. We'll have to investigate this thoroughly," he said, his tone cold and professional.

Aarav, despite his pain, tried to speak, his voice a faint whisper. "Nahi... sach..." But the effort was too much, and he fell silent, his strength ebbing away.

The legal team members moved quickly, one of them calling for an ambulance. "We need to get him to a hospital immediately," one of them said.

Maya and Sumitra stood to the side, their initial panic giving way to a cold calculation. They knew this was far from over and that the truth might still come out. But for now, they maintained their façade, hoping to manipulate the situation to their advantage.

As the paramedics arrived and began to tend to Aarav, the leader of the legal team turned to Maya and Sumitra. "You both will need to come with us for questioning," he said firmly. "We need to understand exactly what happened here."

Maya nodded, her expression one of feigned concern. "Of course, sir. We'll do everything we can to help."

But as she followed the legal team out of the room, her mind raced, plotting her next move. She knew she had to stay one step ahead to protect her secrets and maintain control.