Time had flown by like a fleeting dream. Marriage was nothing short of bliss for Manik and Nandini. A few days ago, Naira had called Nandini, reassuring her that she was fine and would take care of herself. Nandini chose not to probe further. Meanwhile, at the Malhotra house, Cabir spent most of his time with Navya and little Radhika. However, Bua Dadi was relentless in her attempts to make Nandini realize the storm she was inviting into her life.

"Nandini, alright, I agree that Navya is not like others and is a good person, but there's absolutely no harm in setting things straight with her. You should be clear that the rights in this house will always remain equal—fifty-fifty," Bua Dadi said while Nandini busied herself in the kitchen.

"Dadi, please. I don't want to discuss this anymore. Whatever is meant to happen will happen in its time. We'll deal with it then," Nandini stated firmly before heading upstairs to wake Manik. He had a flight to catch in the morning and would be returning the next night.

Supriya sighed as she watched Nandini leave. Her thoughts wandered back to her own painful experiences. "I've lived through this before. What happened in my home, I refuse to let it happen to Manik or anyone else."

Nandini entered their bedroom only to find Manik already awake, speaking over the phone.

"Just a minute," he signaled to her while finishing his instructions to Kiara. "No clause should be missed, Kiara. This contract is critical."

After hanging up, he turned to Nandini, who was setting his clothes in order. Without warning, he grabbed her hand, pulling her close into a warm embrace. She let the clothes in her hands drop onto the couch and wrapped her arms around him, smiling.

"Your smile makes my day," Manik murmured, tightening his hold.

Nandini's smile widened as she trailed her hands up his arms, leaning in to place a soft kiss on his lips. Manik pulled her closer, responding with equal passion. When they parted, their foreheads rested against each other, sharing a moment of warmth and contentment.

"Alright, come on now. You have a flight to catch," Nandini said, attempting to push him towards the washroom—attempting, because she never really succeeded.

Manik smirked. "Why do you even try?"

"Haha, someday I will manage to do it. But for now, freshen up unless you want to miss your flight," she teased before getting back to tidying up the messy room.

"How I wish I could just stay back," Manik sighed before heading to the washroom.

He was traveling to Dubai for the launch of a groundbreaking software that would take the Malhotra business into the digital world. It was a crucial step forward, and though he would return the next day, the significance of this trip weighed heavily on him.

As Manik finished getting ready, Nandini helped with the last-minute packing. They went downstairs to see Raj and Supriya, who greeted them with warm smiles.

"Bye, Dad. Bye, Dadi," Manik said, bowing slightly to take their blessings. "Where's Mom?" he asked, scanning the room for Nyonika.

"She's at Navya's place. Navya and Cabir had to step out, so she's with Radhika," Supriya explained, sneaking a glance at Nandini.

Manik's face fell, but he masked his disappointment. Nandini noticed and silently took his hand, offering him a reassuring squeeze as they stepped out.

At the main gate, they paused. This was where their paths diverged—Nandini heading to the hospital and Manik leaving for the airport.

"Put the bags in the car," Manik instructed the driver before turning back to Nandini.

Sensing his unease, she hugged him tightly. "It'll be okay, Manik. I love you."

Manik pressed a kiss to her forehead. "As long as I have you, everything is okay. But please, for these 24 hours, be a little responsible for yourself? Try not to stumble into things?" he teased, chuckling.

Nandini laughed too, recalling how she somehow managed to injure herself at least once a week.

"Bye," Manik said with one last lingering glance before getting into the car. Nandini watched until he disappeared down the road before leaving for the hospital.

Later that evening, Nyonika returned home and immediately noticed Manik's absence.

"Where's Manik?" she asked.

"He left for Dubai. Didn't you know?" Supriya responded.

"He left? Just like that?" Nyonika's heart sank.

She had been so preoccupied with Cabir and Navya that she hadn't even realized Manik was leaving. And worse—he hadn't even told her. Not once had he mentioned his trip, nor had Nandini. A painful realization struck her like a blow.

As the day passed, Manik was buried in work in Dubai, while Nandini was occupied at the hospital. When she returned home at 7 PM, she greeted Nyonika with only a polite smile before retreating upstairs. She didn't know why she avoided conversation, only that she feared saying something that might hurt either of them further.

During dinner, Navya joined them, but Nandini noticed her distant demeanor. She chose to ignore it, unwilling to engage in any tense discussions that night.

"Nandini, could you help me with the Payasam?" Nyonika suddenly asked.

"Of course, Mamma," Nandini replied instantly, getting up.

"May I help too, Aunty?" Navya offered hesitantly.

"No need, beta. You stay with Radhika. Nandu is here. The last time she made Payasam, everyone loved it," Nyonika remarked.

Nandini, surprised by the warmth in Nyonika's voice, followed her into the kitchen. Once inside, Nyonika turned to her, studying her closely.

"Mamma, is something wrong?" Nandini asked, sensing her unspoken thoughts.

"I've been watching you, Nandu. You've been so distant since the reception. Do you call me 'Mamma' just for formality?"

Nandini felt her throat tighten. Tears welled up as she stepped forward and embraced Nyonika tightly.

"I'm sorry, Mamma. I've been acting terribly, like an evil daughter-in-law, haven't I?" she murmured against her shoulder.

Nyonika chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Silly girl."

"I don't want you to feel bad. And promise me, you won't blame yourself for anything?" Nandini pleaded.

"I promise, my child. But tell me—what is truly on your heart?"

Nandini hesitated before finally confessing. "Mamma, I think you've been distant from Manik for too long. He needs you."

Nyonika's eyes filled with regret. "I know... And I hate myself for it. I feel like I've lost my place in his life. I've failed him."

Nandini squeezed her hands. "No, Mamma. You haven't failed. You just need to find your way back."

Nyonika's voice trembled, her heart aching under the weight of her own words. "I am not happy, Nandini. I don't want Cabir to marry Navya, but I cannot force my will upon him. I am not even his real mother. With what right do I tell him to back out from this marriage?"

Nandini's eyes widened in shock. "Mamma, why would you say that? You have every right to decide what's best for him. You are his mother."

"No, Nandini, I don't. Bua ji was right. No matter how much I love him, no matter how much I care for him, the truth remains—he is adopted. I have no right to interfere in his life. And in trying to do so, I have even failed to look after my own son." Tears streamed down Nyonika's face, her sobs growing heavier as she collapsed into herself.

Nandini rushed to comfort her, wrapping her arms around her shaking frame. "No, Mamma, don't do this to yourself. Cabir is your son—nothing changes that."

But before Nyonika could respond, Nandini suddenly felt a shift in the air, an ominous silence creeping up behind her. She turned her head and her heart sank. Navya stood frozen in the doorway, her face pale, her eyes wide with disbelief and pain.

"Navya, no!" Nandini's voice was sharp, urgent.

But it was too late. The damage was done.

Nyonika followed Nandini's gaze and turned to see Navya standing there. As soon as Navya met her eyes, she spun on her heel and stormed into the living room, where Cabir stood talking to Supriya. Without missing a beat, Nandini chased after her.

"Navya, stop! Please listen to me," Nandini called, desperation laced in her voice.

Navya shook her off. "No, Nandu! No more lies, no more secrets. Cabir has the right to know! You all cannot keep him in the dark forever!"

"Navya, please think before you say anything," Nandini pleaded, her eyes darting between Cabir and Navya, fearing what was about to unfold.

But Navya didn't stop. She turned to face Cabir, her hands trembling. "Cabir... you are adopted."

Time stood still. The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

Cabir's laughter was forced, hollow. "Navya, stop joking. This isn't funny."

Navya took a deep breath. "I wish I was joking, Cabir. But I'm not. Ask your mother if you don't believe me."

Cabir's gaze immediately snapped to Nyonika, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. He searched her face desperately, silently begging her to deny it, to tell him Navya was lying. But Nyonika sat there, her body shaking, her face buried in her hands, sobbing.

That was all the confirmation he needed.

The air was sucked out of the room.

His entire world crumbled in that instant.

Cabir's knees threatened to give way as he stumbled forward, kneeling before Nyonika, his trembling hands reaching for hers. "Mom, please tell me this is a lie. Please... Please, Navya has misunderstood something, right? I am your son... right? I am yours?"

Silence.

The kind of silence that screams louder than any words ever could.

Tears spilled from his eyes as he clutched onto her hands, desperate, broken. But Nyonika said nothing. Her silence was the sharpest dagger, piercing through his soul.

Cabir staggered back, the weight of reality slamming into him with a force so brutal it knocked the breath out of his lungs. He turned to Nandini, his voice breaking, his pain raw. "Bhabhi... you knew? You knew and you didn't tell me?"

Nandini opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.

"WHY?!" Cabir's anguished cry echoed through the walls, shaking the very foundation of their home. He spun around, his gaze landing on Supriya, on Bua Dadi, on every single person in the room who had known his truth before he did. "WHY THE HELL WAS I KEPT IN THE DARK?! WHY DID YOU ALL LIE TO ME?!"

"Cabir, please calm down," Nandini begged, stepping forward. But Cabir shook his head violently, backing away.

"Calm down?! Bhabhi, I can't even call you that now! I CAN'T CALL ANYONE ANYTHING! BECAUSE I AM NO ONE! I AM A BLOODY NO ONE IN THIS HOUSE! AND I KEPT THINKING THIS FAMILY WAS MINE—"

"Cabir, listen to me—" Nyonika tried to interject, her voice feeble and cracked, but Cabir cut her off.

"NO! NO, Mrs. NYONIKA MALHOTRA!" he yelled, his voice shaking, his entire body trembling. "I AM NOT YOUR SON! YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER! NONE OF YOU ARE MY FAMILY!"

A gut-wrenching sob tore through his throat as he clutched his chest, as if physically trying to hold his breaking heart together.

Navya reached for him, her hands desperate to comfort him, but he shoved her away, his pain morphing into anger, betrayal. "DON'T! JUST DON'T, NAVYA!" he shouted, his voice cracking, his vision blurred with tears.

Nyonika sobbed openly now, her heart shattering as she watched her son—her son, no matter what anyone said—fall apart in front of her, knowing she was powerless to stop it.

Cabir stumbled backward, his breathing erratic, his heart racing. He felt suffocated, as if the walls were closing in on him, as if the very air he breathed was poisoned with betrayal.

And then, without another word, he turned and stormed out of the house, leaving behind the shattered remains of the only family he had ever known.

"It's all over, Nandini. Everything is over," Nyonika whispered, her voice trembling with despair. The very next second, her hand struck Navya's cheek with a resounding slap. The force of the impact made Navya stumble back as tears welled in her eyes, more from the shock than the pain. The room fell silent except for the soft cries of little Radhika.

Nandini, shaken by the sudden turn of events, quickly scooped Radhika up and carried her upstairs. She whispered gentle lullabies until the little girl drifted into a restless sleep. As she placed Radhika onto the bed, her phone vibrated on the nightstand. She picked it up and saw fifteen missed calls from Manik. A sense of dread settled in her chest as she finally answered.

"Hello?" she whispered, her voice weak.

"Nandini!" Manik's voice was frantic. "Where were you? Are you okay?"

Hearing his voice, Nandini's control broke. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, "Come soon, Manik. I love you." And before he could respond, she ended the call.

Manik stared at his phone in shock. Something was terribly wrong. He redialed, but she didn't pick up. A deep sense of worry gripped his heart. "I hope she's okay," he murmured before immediately making arrangements to fly back home.

Back at the Malhotra Mansion, Nandini wiped her tears and hurried downstairs. The scene she walked into made her stomach churn—Nyonika was screaming at Navya, her voice filled with rage and heartbreak.

"How dare you, Navya? Who gave you the right to interfere in our lives? You have shattered this family! You are not my daughter-in-law yet, and after today, you never will be!" Nyonika's voice cracked as she pointed an accusing finger at Navya, who stood frozen in place, her face devoid of emotion.

Nandini rushed down the stairs, but pain shot through her foot. She gasped and stumbled as sharp glass pierced her skin.

"Nandini!" Nyonika turned, her anger momentarily replaced by panic.

Blood pooled beneath Nandini's foot, staining the pristine floor. Supriya immediately ordered a butler to bring the first-aid kit. Nyonika knelt beside Nandini, her hands shaking as she carefully pulled out the shard of glass and bandaged the wound. Her tears fell onto Nandini's foot as she worked.

"It's okay, Mamma," Nandini reassured her, resting a comforting hand on hers.

"No, it's not," Nyonika sobbed. "I don't know whose evil eye has cursed this family. None of my children are at peace."

Nandini looked up and met Navya's gaze. There was something unrecognizable in her eyes—pain, defiance, regret.

"You've changed, Navya," Nandini said softly. "The Navya I knew would have prioritized the family's happiness over anything else."

Navya's lip trembled, but she quickly wiped away her tears. "No, Nandini," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're just seeing my real face today."

"Enough!" Nyonika snapped, her fury reigniting. "I will not let you near Cabir again! You are the reason for all this. Leave this house, Navya. You mean nothing to us now, and I will make sure you never become Cabir's wife!"

Navya stood still, her body rigid, her mind in turmoil. When she didn't move, Nyonika grabbed her wrist harshly, dragging her toward the door.

"Mamma, wait!" Nandini called out. "We cannot make decisions on Cabir's behalf. Let him decide if he still wants Navya in his life."

Nyonika hesitated, her grip loosening slightly. Before she could argue, a loud crash came from upstairs, followed by a string of broken sobs. Everyone froze.

Cabir.

An hour had passed, and he still wasn't ready to listen to anyone. Raj entered the house at that moment, confused by the chaos that greeted him. Before he could ask, Nyonika rushed into his arms, clutching his shirt tightly.

"Raj, it's over! Everything is over!" she wailed, her body shaking violently.

Raj looked around in confusion. His eyes landed on Nandini, who was crying silently in the corner. His heart clenched.

"Nandini, what happened? And your foot—what did you do to yourself?" He knelt in front of her, concern deepening the lines on his face.

Instead of answering, Nandini collapsed into his embrace. He patted her head, his heart breaking at her distress. Frustration clawed at his insides—why was no one telling him anything?

He turned to Supriya. "What is going on?" he demanded.

Supriya sighed heavily. "What we feared the most has happened, Raj. The family is broken... and it's because of her." She pointed at Navya, then proceeded to tell him everything.

Raj felt his heart shatter as he processed the truth. Blinking back his own tears, he wordlessly made his way upstairs, toward Cabir's room.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Nyonika's phone rang. She saw Manik's name on the screen and quickly picked it up.

"Mom?"

The moment she heard his voice, she broke down once again. Her sobs echoed through the empty halls, sending a chill down Manik's spine.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Manik asked, his voice trembling. "I called Nandini, and she was crying too! What's happening?"

"Come home, beta," Nyonika pleaded between sobs. "Please, we need you. We all need you."

Manik clenched his jaw, his grip tightening around his phone. Whatever was happening, it was bad. Too bad to be handled over the phone.

Cutting the call, he made immediate arrangements for a private jet. A commercial flight would take too long.

Back at the mansion, Raj sat outside Cabir's locked door, Nyonika by his side, their pleas met with silence. Nandini sat in the living room, feeding Supriya dinner so she could take her medicines. Across from her, Navya sat motionless, staring blankly at the floor, her mind swirling with thoughts.

"Did I make a mistake?" she whispered to herself, her voice lost in the suffocating air of heartbreak and regret.

And as the night stretched on, Manik landed in Mumbai, his heart heavy with dread, knowing he was returning to a house that no longer felt like home.