No proofread.
Sorry for the late update, got caught up in some personal matters.

Sheetal gulped seeing all eyes on her and was trying to find a new excuse but for some reason she became mute and couldn't formulate any words left alone make a speech.

Payal smirked enjoying a flustered Sheetal and this didn't go unnoticed by Lavanya who frown seeing this.

Khushi burst out laughing holding her stomach as everyone except Payal stared at her confused.

"Oh my God, you can't take a joke just like Ladoo here. " Khushi laughed and Sheetal even though pissed off put on a smile to cover it. "Anyways welcome to our house and make yourself not only comfortable but enjoy all the privilege is comes with it while it last. "

The others felt she was joking but Sheetal knew it was a warning and wondered if Khushi knew why she was here.

"Hello hi bye bye...... Khushi is right...... Enjoy all you can before you leave because I don't want people to say Manorama didn't treat her guest well hello hi bye bye. " Mami said innocently and Khushi bobbled her head with the most innocent of all faces and an adorable pout while staring at Sheetal.

"Anyways its nice to have a classmate of chote with us because we can finally find out all his mischievous deeds from university. " Nani laughed seeing Arnav twitch his face annoyed while rolling his eyes.

Sheetal smirked at the the opportunity Nani has given her to get closer to the family.

"Of course Naniji....... I will tell you everything you need to know about your grandson. " She replied in a sickly sweet voice.

"Now let me introduce the family........ She is Khushi Arnav's fiancee and soon to be wife in a few months." Nani introduced pointing to Khushi who had her arms around Arnav's waist with his on hers and this pissed the demons out of Sheetal but she composed herself." She is Payal. "

"My bahu and the wife of my son. " Mami exclaimed proudly cutting Nani off and she glared at Mami who shrugged as Payal and the others giggled.

Nani turned to Sheetal and continued .

"This is Shashi Gupta, the father of Payal and Khushi and she is Kamala the caregiver of Shashi but she is like family to us. " Kamala waved at sheetal who nodded even though she was internally disgusted about a commoner being considered a family of such a renowned and distinguished family but she knew better not to mess with her if she wants to be in their good books. "This is Nikhil Mehra, my grandson and Mami's nephew and cousin to Akash and Arnav. " Sheetal was confused not hearing Anjali's name but kept to herself. "And she is Lavanya Kashyap friend of the family and soon something more. " Nani winked at Lavanya who looked like a deer caught in headlight and blushed as Nk also winked at her. "And our little angel here is Kiara..... The first grandchild,niece and baby of the family. " Nani exclaimed making baby faces at Kaira who was being held by Mami and she smiled back at Nani.

"Well some may know me but let me introduce myself again..... I am Sheetal Kapoor and was a classmate of Arnav back in Harvard and this is my son Aarav. " Sheetal introduced smugly.

"Nice to met you Aarav. " Nk said waving at the boy but he had a frown on his face and ignored Nk who looked offended.

This pissed of Akash and Arnav seeing his disrespectful gesture towards Nk.

Sheetal was about to apologize but what Mami said made her jump for joy.

"Hello hi bye bye...... Look at how angry he looks...... It's just like Arnav...... He could pass off us his twin. " Mami exclaimed staring at Aarav who smiled hearing Mami compare him to Arnav.

Arnav felt angry by not only the comparison but how rude Aarav was to Nk and all except Nani felt the same way.

"Mami stop comparing him to Ladoo...... I have known him since we were kids and he is not as disrespectful as this boy is...... Ladoo was always been mischievous, fun and bubbly unlike this boy....... Hardships in his life turned him cold...... And you. " Turning to Aarav who glated at her. " Don't you think it's disrespectful to behave this way with someone who was just trying to me nice and Sheetal as his mother you didn't even try to correct him. " Khushi rebuked and everyone nodded shocking Sheetal who thought Aarav will be excused for being a child.

"It's not like that Khushi...... He is just being a child and he has been through a lot lately and is still adjusting to the new change in our lives. " Sheetal retorted looking pitiful to gain sympathy.

"Child or no child...... This doesn't warrant him disrespecting one of the owners of the house he is living in rent free....... Teach your son some manners Miss Kapoor or he wouln't like his stay in this house. " Arnav reprimanded leaving Sheetal stunned and Aarav almost on the verge of crying.

"Chote is right....... You must teach him not to be ungrateful and be thankful to people who help him....... Nk was just trying to make him feel welcome and comfortable but he disrespected him....... Aarav beta apologize to Nk. " Nani said in a soft tone staring at Aarav but he shook his head and run off to his room with Sheetal following him while cussing at all of them.

Nani sighed and turned to them and they all looked pissed staring at the direction Aarav run off to and she knew she had to do a damage control.

"You all ignore them...... I will speak to Sheetal..... Go now as you are all getting late. "

They all nodded and said their goodbyes to the family.

Lavanya was blushing red as Nk kissed her cheek making the others giggle at her.

She wheeled herself back to her room embarrassed at the teasing smile on their faces.

Aarav's Room.

Sheetal walked into the room and saw Aarav crying in the corner and she rolled her eyes annoyed but it changed into a soft look as she moved closer and sat by him.

"I hate her mum....... See how she made dad scold me and turned the family against us....... I hate her. " Aarav cried as Sheetal consoled him.

"I understand your pain my love but we have to be patient and seeing how evil she is, you must pretend to be her friend and slowly we will expose her to your father and he and the family will kick her out and I will marry him and the whole world will know you are his son and you will live lavishly forever okay. "

Aarav nodded enthusiastically and hugged Sheetal who had a look of disgust on her face.

"Oh God I am getting fed up with this boy but I have to pretend to love him until he helps me achieve my goals. " Sheetal thought hugging Aarav begrudgingly.

Arnav was smiling driving to AR with Akash and Nk staring at each other and back to him.

"Someone looks happy today. " Nk teased and Arnav lifted his gaze and squinted his eyes at him through the rear view mirror making Nk laugh and Akash smile.

"Why wouldn't he be if his wife just threatened another woman and marked her territory. " Akash said giggling and Arnav was taken aback and it dawned on Nk that he wasn't the only one who felt it.

"Oh my God I thought I was imagining things because to me it sounded like Khushi was threatening Sheetal and marking her territory and I wasn't wrong but why will she do that? " Nk asked curiously and turned his gaze to Arnav who knew he couldn't hid his secret from them anymore.

He revealed the truth to them and they were both stunned hearing Sheetal was Arnav's ex.

"Nannav how could you allow your ex stay in your house....... Now more than ever I am sure Khushi wasn't joking when she hinted it wasn't a coincidence that Sheetal was in RM and she didn't let it known to Mami and Nani that she knew you........ She is untrustworthy because of this. "

"I think so too. " Akash uttered supporting Nk and Arnav halted the car by the roadside and turned to them.

"I also suspected the same and will have Aman do a background check on Sheetal........ I will speak to Mami and Nani when we get to the office and make sure they never to let Sheetal know I and Khushi are married........ We can't trust that she won't sell the news to the media because we don't know her intention but for now we have to pretend we do until Aman gives me the result of the background check........ If the background check comes out with suspicion to harm anyone of us then I won't spare her......... And for her son's sake she better be clean. " Arnav exclaimed in a serious tone making them relax knowing he is under control of everything.

He drove the car towards their place of work relieved that a background check will soon determine whether Sheetal is an enemy or a friend or a frenemy.

M&K
Head Office.

Khushi sat in her office going through the designs AR will be using for the outfits for their biggest show yet and it will be the day they will announce their marriage and her as the owner of M&K.

She wanted everything to be perfect and it all was but the thought of Sheetal ruined it and she slammed the file shut fuming.

"Don't let the witch ruin your mood. " Payal said and Khushi jerked and looked up to find Payal by the door walking towards her and sat on the chair facing her as Khushi sighed heavy.

"I can't stand that woman and her son and after I have everything I need to expose her and teach her a lesson she was never forget, I will kick her out of our life for good. " Khushi exclaimed with a hint of annoyance and anger in her voice.

"Have you decided what will happen to Aarav when  Sheetal is exposed and jailed for her fraudulent behavior? " Payal asked crossing her legs and Khushi leaned into her  swivel chair.

"I have decided to send him back to the orphanage but will take care of all his education and expenses. " Khushi replied and Payal nodded.

"Well we better finish up...... Akash and Arnav will be picking us up for lunch and you better change your attitude before they suspect something. " Khushi nodded as Payal stood up and left the office to her office.

RM.

Sheetal was exploring the mansion after she realised Mami, Kiara and Nani had taken their naps.

She loved every part of the mansion from the beautiful gardens, multiple pools and gyms, lounges, party halls and chateaus fit for royals even the servant quarters will beat most apartments in the city.

She imagined herself sitting on a throne with Khushi and Payal serving her while Arnav spat on Khushi and slapped Payal for defending Khushi.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice Lavanya calling her.

"Sheetal? " She jerked from her reverie to find Lavanya in her wheelchair staring at her suspiciously.

"What do you want? " She asked rudely and Lavanya folded her hand on her chest.

"Why are you sneaking all around the mansion inspecting everything as if you own this place? " Lavanya asked suspiciously staring at Sheetal who glared at her.

"Am not answerable to you cripple. " Sheetal taunted and Lavanya glared at her.

"I am not a cripple but I can call you a thief because you look like one casing the mansion but if I were you, I would be careful because there a security cameras everywhere and there is nothing you will do without anyone seeing you thief. " Lavanya taunted and wheeled herself away before Sheetal could retaliate.

"You bitch, you all wait and watch because I will soon send you and your friends packing out of my mansion. " Sheetal muttered oblivious of a pair of eyes hearing and watching her.

Midnight.

Aarav was thirsty and woke up to find no water near the lamppost.

"Mummy forgot to get me water. "

He stood up and walked to the kitchen to get water.

He finished drinking and was about to move to his room when he halted seeing Khushi coming out of Arnav's room and he frown.

"What is she doing in daddy's room? " Aarav mumbled as he watched Khushi walk down the stairs towards the kitchen and watched as she was about to turn on the stove.

Aarav smirked and got an idea to hurt Khushi.

He tiptoed back to the lounge, lifted one of the antique and expensive vase smashing it and this alerted Khushi who moved away from the stove and into the lounge.

Aarav sneaked back into the kitchen and turned on the stove to the highest level and run out of there.

He hid behind the pillar as he watch a silhouette enter the kitchen and within a few seconds, a loud scream was heard making Aarav jump in joy and started dancing.

The light went on and Aarav was shocked seeing Khushi standing in front of him.

He turned to the direction of the kitchen and run there with Khushi following and what they saw shocked both of them.

Sheetal was crying holding her hand with was badly burnt.

Khushi rushed up to her and tried to help her but Sheetal yelled at her and pushed her away.

Khushi was about to fall when a strong arms grabbed her cutting her fall.

She turned to find Arnav holding Khushi concerned and Sheetal was pissed seeing his concern for Khushi not her.

She stood up and walked up to Arnav and by now the whole family were in the kitchen staring at Sheetal in horror.

She showed her hand to Arnav crying and Arnav moved a few steps back seeing how gruesome her burnt hand was.

"Arnav see Khushi intentionally burnt my hand because she was jealous of me. " Sheetal accused and everyone stared at her in disbelief but Arnav's expression turned to anger and he let go off Khushi and held Sheetal by the wrist squeezing it as he pulled her closer.

"Don't you ever accuse my wife like that ever again...... Have you looked at yourself in a mirror....... You can't compete with my wife left alone compare to her...... Be in you limit Miss Kapoor. " Sheetal shuddered in fear seeing the murderous gaze in his eyes.

Arnav pushed her away and held Khushi's hand as they left there leaving Sheetal in shock.

Akash and the others left but not before throwing an angry and disgusted look at Sheetal.

Nani and Mami were the only once left with Sheetal and Aarav.

Mami helped Sheetal to her room as Nani called the doctor.

An hour later, her wound was disinfected and treated with a dosage of painkillers which ease the pain and made her feel better but seeing how badly her hands were burnt, she knew it will become a scar for ever if it heals and this made her feel disgusted of herself.

The door to her room opened and  in entered Aarav with his head bowed.

Sheetal rolled her eyes seeing him and asked him what he wanted and Aarav burst out crying and confessed all that he did.

This shocked Sheetal who stood up raging which made her forget her pain and she smacked Aarav on his cheek making him fall backwards.

Loud gasps were heard and they both turned to find Kamala, Nani and Mami by the door.

To be continued.

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