Hello,

Happy reading!

Now let's continue the story.

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"Ruhi... Ruhi, open the door! I’m warning you—open it, or I swear, I’ll break it down!"

It had been more than a decade since she’d heard his voice, and the moment she did, tears began to pour down her face, unbidden. Memories of his warmth, of a time when he was her solace, came rushing back, nearly overwhelming her.

As he raised his fist to break the door, he noticed the doorknob turning, and he halted, waiting.

The door slowly opened, and there she was, her figure so fragile and weak. Without a word, she stepped forward and collapsed into his arms, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed.

"Where were you, Sam? Where were you? Why did you leave me alone when your brother was breaking me piece by piece?" Her voice was muffled against his shoulder, but each word was drenched in the agony she had bottled up over the years.

He gently placed a hand on her back, his fingers brushing softly through her hair. "Shh, I'm here now, Ruhi. No more tears. I don’t like this version of you, you know? I only know that fierce lioness who never let anyone tear her down." His voice was warm, his gaze steady, though his heart broke to see her like this.

He pulled back to take in her appearance—her sunken cheeks, the dark shadows beneath her eyes, the physical weight of her suffering. "What have you done to yourself, Ruhi? Do you realize you’re not alone in this?"

She glanced away, feeling ashamed. "You’re scolding me too? Sam, you have no idea what I've gone through these last few months." Her voice was raw with emotion.

Samarth took a deep breath, realizing he needed to tread carefully. "Good," he said, his tone softening, "then get ready, Ruhi. I’m taking you somewhere."

"Where? I don’t want to go anywhere." She turned away, but his words stopped her.

"So you’re accepting their accusations? That’s why you’re refusing to come with me? RIGHT?" His voice was a mixture of anger and disappointment, and she froze mid-step.

"I’m not asking you, Ruhi; I’m telling you," he continued, his gaze fixed on a distant spot on the wall to avoid her eyes. He knew if he looked into them, he’d lose his resolve. "As your friend, it’s my right to protect you. No one can take that right from me." With that, he headed toward the living room, trusting she would follow.

True to his instinct, within minutes, she emerged from her room, dressed and ready. She found Samarth in the living room, listening as her father-in-law recounted Rajat's abusive behavior. Samarth’s face grew darker with each word, anger simmering under his calm facade.

“Shall we?” he asked her, his tone more gentle.

“Where?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You’ll see," he said, taking her wrist with the same gentle authority that had drawn her out of her despair.

A short while later, they arrived at a hospital. As they approached the reception desk, he calmly announced, “We have an appointment with Dr. Sunita, gynecologist. Patient’s name: Ms. Rohini Singh Ranawat.”

"Take a left, third cabin," the receptionist directed, and they headed there, Samarth’s hand steady on her back.

Inside, Dr. Sunita smiled gently at Ruhi. “Ms. Rohini, I’ve told you before. Your baby is weak, and you need to take better care of yourself. It’s a high-risk pregnancy,” the doctor reminded her as she conducted an ultrasound.

"Doctor," Samarth interjected softly, "can we hear the baby’s heartbeat?"

The doctor nodded, maneuvering the equipment as the quiet room filled with the steady thump-thump of the unborn child’s heart. Samarth’s gaze softened, and Ruhi, listening to the heartbeat of her child, felt a wave of guilt and love so intense it left her silent.

The doctor quietly excused herself, giving them a few moments alone.

“Ruhi, this child is your responsibility,” Samarth said, his voice barely above a whisper as he took her hand. “Don’t forget, you fought with your husband for this baby. You’ve endured so much for this life growing inside you. Now you have to rise above this trauma. Do you remember how you fought back against your uncle when he wronged you?”

She looked up, her tear-streaked face meeting his steady gaze. Memories of the battles she’d fought—and won—flashed through her mind.

“You never rested until justice was served. That fierce lioness is still within you, Ruhi. Don’t let this trauma break you. Fight for yourself, for this child, and for your future. Do you understand?” His words penetrated her soul, and slowly, she nodded.

A lump formed in her throat as she asked, “Do you think… I should confront him?”

“If you think it’ll help you move forward, then yes. Face him, Ruhi. If you don’t do it now, this shadow will haunt you.”

---

Soon after, she found herself facing Rajat, but not alone. Samarth was beside her, a silent but powerful presence. Rajat’s girlfriend, Maya, was also there, sneering at Ruhi.

“Look at her, Samarth,” Maya scoffed. “She just can’t handle that he found someone better.”

“WILL YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH!” Samarth’s voice thundered, and Maya shrank back, her confidence momentarily shattered.

Rajat, however, wasn’t cowed. He sneered, taking a swing at Samarth, who dodged and shoved him back. Words of accusation, betrayal, and anger filled the air until Ruhi could take it no longer.

Finally, she spoke up. “You want to be with her, Rajat? Fine. Marry her. I won’t stop you.” The words were like knives, cutting through her pride, her pain, everything she had once held dear. Her father-in-law, standing nearby, squeezed her hand, a silent pillar of support.

“My child, you don’t have to stay with him. Divorce him and come home. I’m here, and I’ll protect you and my grandchild.” Her father-in-law’s voice was firm, and for a moment, she felt the urge to accept. But she shook her head.

---

Months passed. Rajat, now married to Maya, was distant and indifferent. He rarely saw his firstborn, even ignoring his daughter’s naming ceremony. Meanwhile, Samarth remained Ruhi’s unwavering support, ensuring her needs were met, emotionally and financially.

The tides eventually turned, as they often do. Rajat’s newfound wealth and happiness vanished with time. His son, born with a serious illness, struggled, and his family fortunes dwindled. Rajat’s arrogance, his pride, his mistreatment of those around him—they all seemed to catch up with him.

For Ruhi, her journey was far from over. She raised her children in a home filled with warmth, love, and integrity. And despite all the heartache, she looked forward, determined to fulfill her father-in-law’s dream by establishing a trust for those in need.

With each step she took, Ruhi reclaimed her dignity, her strength, and her life, leaving behind the brokenness Rajat had tried to impose upon her.

---

And that’s the end of today’s chapter.

But before you pass judgment on Ruhi or this story, please remember—she’s human, with flaws, struggles, and her own journey. She may not be the idealized wife some might expect, but she’s real. This story is not about perfection; it’s about resilience.

Thank you for reading, and if you’re not interested in this story, feel free to leave, but please, no hate toward the book or author.

I’m simply a medium to complete the story.

Goodbye, and love you all!