After a long day, Advait and Samaira finally returned to their room. It was a spacious suite, yet something felt off. The large, opulent furniture, the dark wood accents, and the plush curtains all gave it a sense of old-world charm—but there was one glaring issue.

Samaira glanced around the room, her eyes falling on the singular bed placed neatly against the wall. Her lips parted in confusion before she spoke.

"Advait... why isn't there a proper couch in here?" Samaira asked, a subtle amusement in her voice as she walked over to the bed. "Do you expect us to sleep on this single bed? Because we certainly can't both fit here comfortably."

Advait leaned against the door frame, watching her carefully. His lips quirked upward, as if he enjoyed her discomfort.

"Is there a problem?" he asked, his voice smooth, almost teasing.

Samaira raised an eyebrow. "Well, it's just... a little cramped, don't you think? Or are you planning on sleeping on that sofa-cum-chair?" She gestured to the uncomfortable-looking chair in the corner.

Advait chuckled softly. "If it bothers you that much, we could figure something out."

Samaira rolled her eyes, stepping closer to him. "Don’t worry, I can make do." She hesitated for a moment, then added, “Though, we may have to share the bed.”

A faint smirk tugged at Advait’s lips. "It’s not exactly my idea of comfort either," he muttered, but there was something in his tone that made Samaira believe he wasn't entirely opposed to the idea.

They moved toward the bed, and despite the initial awkwardness, they settled into the space, trying to make themselves comfortable. Samaira lay still, her thoughts racing, as Advait's presence beside her felt strangely... intimate. But the tension that had loomed throughout the evening lingered in the air.

By morning, Samaira was the first to wake. She quietly slipped out of the bed, not wanting to disturb Advait. She had things to do, things she couldn’t afford to waste time on.

She went about getting ready, selecting a simple yet elegant saree. The soft fabric draped elegantly over her form, and she made sure every detail was perfect—especially her mangalsutra and sindoor. She placed them meticulously, ensuring no one would question her commitment, not in this house where every detail mattered.

As she finished, Advait stirred. For a brief moment, as he opened his eyes, he froze. Samaira stood before him, radiant and poised, the morning light catching the delicate glow of her saree and the soft shine of her mangalsutra. His breath hitched, his mind momentarily overwhelmed by the sight of her.

For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.

Samaira, unaware of the effect she had on him, adjusted herself in front of the mirror before turning to him. "I’m going to the kitchen," she said, her voice steady, though there was an edge of determination in her words. "I’m here on a mission. Can’t waste my time sleeping."

Advait watched her, his gaze lingering a little longer than it should have. Then, with a sigh, he nodded. "Don’t get into trouble," he muttered, though his eyes were still on her.

Samaira gave him a small smile. "Don't worry, I’ll be fine," she said confidently before leaving the room.

In the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air as Pramita and Ritu stood ordering servants around, ensuring everything was in order for the day ahead. When Samaira entered, they both looked up, surprise flickering in their eyes for a moment before they masked it with polite smiles.

Samaira walked over and, with a small nod, touched their feet in a traditional greeting. "Good morning, Aunty Pramita, Aunty Ritu."

"Good morning, Samaira," Pramita said with a soft smile, though there was an underlying curiosity in her gaze.

They chatted briefly, exchanging pleasantries, but Samaira’s mind was elsewhere. She was trying to understand each person in this house, each one’s intentions. The more she spoke with them, the clearer things would become. It was only a matter of time.

Just as the conversation began to settle, Aunt Subhadra entered the kitchen. She looked every bit the formidable matriarch, her eyes sharp and discerning, as if she had seen it all. Samaira immediately stepped forward to touch her feet, but Aunt Subhadra waved her off, a slight smile tugging at her lips.

"No need for formalities, dear," she said with a chuckle.

Samaira straightened, though she remained respectful. The air between them felt charged with something unspoken, something Samaira couldn’t yet identify.

"How did you agree to marry Advait?" Aunt Subhadra asked suddenly, almost as if it was a joke, though her tone was serious. "After everything that happened a year ago, it’s certainly breaking news."

Ritu’s eyes widened, and she quickly interjected. "Subhadra, let’s not get into this now."

But Samaira wasn’t intimidated. She stood tall, her voice unwavering as she met Aunt Subhadra’s gaze. "It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was mine to make. Advait and I... we’ve come to terms with the past."

Subhadra observed her carefully, her gaze piercing. "Interesting." Then, she changed the topic almost immediately, as if she had been satisfied with the answer, though Samaira could tell there was more behind those eyes.

As they spoke, Aryan entered the kitchen, nonchalantly taking an apple from the counter. His eyes flickered to Samaira, and without hesitation, he spoke up.

"What if Advait betrays you again?" he asked, his voice casual but with an edge of curiosity.

Samaira’s eyes locked with his, unblinking. "I don’t know," she replied simply, her voice steady. "Maybe I would be too broken to be joined back again."

The room grew quiet for a moment as Aryan digested her words. Samaira remained calm, though inwardly, she knew that it wasn’t just about Advait. It was about herself, too—her heart, her future, and whether she could ever truly trust him again if history repeated itself.

Aryan paused, as if surprised by her answer, and then, sensing the mood shift, Pramita quickly redirected the conversation.

"How about you take some tea to your grandmother, dear?" she suggested, her voice gentle. "She would love to have it from her new daughter-in-law."

Samaira gave a small, knowing smile. "I’d be happy to."

As she turned to leave, she knew the game had just begun. Every word, every glance, was a piece of the puzzle. The more she interacted with this family, the more she would learn about them—and the more she would find out about Advait’s past, his family’s secrets, and perhaps, even her own place in this world that seemed to be shifting with every passing moment.