No proofread.

Two Weeks Later.

Every famous and wealthy socialite and elites, from investors to celebrities and influencers were invited to the reception of Akash and Payal.

Payal looked nervous but Akash guided her through the crowd and introductions and if Payal wasn't in love with Akash, now she was as she saw how caring and gentle he was with her even after all her blunders and mistakes she has made.

Payal saw her mother and aunt sitting looking uncomfortable but didn't care as she was done with them and this didn't go unnoticed by Akash who was happy just four session of therapy in the fast few days he made Payal start was beginning to open her eyes to the kind of people her aunt and mother were and how their toxic influence has shaped her insecurities, character and jealousy of Khushi.

Akash saw Payal looking around and he knew she was looking for Khushi and he also noticed Payal wasn't the only one looking for her because his brother was looking angry and frustrated while standing with some of the investors and business men but if one didn't know Arnav, he would have thought he is calm and composed at the moment.

He felt his wife tightened her grip on his arm and stared at her to find a wide smile on her face.

He followed her gaze to find Khushi walking down the stairs and almost all eyes was on her.

She looked ethereal and beautiful in her outfit and Akash for a moment thought Payal will go back to her inferior self but she looked genuinely happy to see Khushi.

Imagine Khushi in this with the same hairstyle.

All eyes were on Khushi with some lusting, jealousy, curiosity, envy and anger.

Buaji and Garima were fuming seeing Khushi getting all the attention instead of their daughter but after Khushi threatened to have been arrested for fraud and kicked out of the house,they were careful not to provoke her.

Anjali on the other hand wanted to walk up to Khushi and drag her out by the hair but she controlled herself not wanting to be exposed by Khushi for what she did at Laxmi Nagar two weeks ago.

Since she returned that day, she has been nervous thinking Khushi might have told Arnav to turn him against her but Arnav was still the same with no hidden enmity towards her and it made her relax.

But she has been shocked by the sudden boldness of Khushi and wondered what caused the change in her.

But the regret she felt thinking Khushi was the perfect puppet she could control and use against Arnav was eating her up and her jealousy of Khushi becoming a twenty four hours topic in the house was getting on her nerves.

Mami who claimed she disliked Khushi was openly admitting to missing her and they no longer spend time together because she was busy preparing the welcome party and reception for Payal who had miraculously started being liked by Mami and they are always together laughing and chatting either in the kitchen or when they go out shopping.

When she wanted to join them, Mami stopped her telling to stay behind because her pregnancy and Nani supported Mami in this.

Anjali realised not only is she loosing Arnav but her entire family to the Gupta sisters and this frustrated her as she knew she will sound like brat if she complained.

She touched her flat tummy where her rainbow baby resided, the only trump card she had against all of the family.

"You will help me get my family back...... All I have to do it wait for the right time and be patient. " Anjali thought.

"Wow Khushi...... You are looking so beautiful. " Nk gushed over her sheepishly as the whole family surrounded her.

Khushi smiled to cover up the laughter that was threatening to betray her seeing Arnav throwing daggers at an oblivious Nk who wouldn't stop praising her.

Akash and Payal who saw this giggled which drew attention to them.

"Hello hi bye bye...... What's so funny? " Mami exclaimed staring at them suspiciously and they shook their head and she turned to Khushi and started praising her which surprised Khushi.

Payal told them she wanted to speak to Khushi in private and they all nodded and dispersed as Payal and a confused Khushi walked away from the party to a quiet area outside.

"How have you been?....... You don't answer my calls anymore and you are barely home when I visit. " Khushi was about to speak when Payal raised her hand stopping her. "I know you are avoiding me and any human being in their right senses will do exactly that because I have been a horrible person since we were kids.....,. My silence when Buaji and Amma abused you behind babuji's back made me an accomplice but trust me I never hated you..... The truth is I was always jealous of you because even with everything you have been through, you always shine and looked so happy, you made friends so easily while I was always an awkward mess being around people........ I was never interested in sweet making and even though babuji tried to make it a bonding experience for us, I wasn't interested but seeing you bonding with him through that made me jealous and Buaji and Amma made be believe you were snatching babuji away from him..... I am sorry for everything I did to you directly or indirectly....... You don't have to forgive me if you don't want to because I was told forgiveness should never be transactional..... So take your time. "

Khushi was stunned hearing Payal and everything was finally making sense.
She had been poisoned by Buaji and Garima who feasted on her insecurities of her and she kept quiet about their abuse as a punishment for snatching Shashi from her which she knew but was surprised Payal admitted to it.

"You've changed. " Khushi uttered amazed seeing this side of Payal and Payal chuckled.

"My therapist made me realize a lot of things and I knew if I didn't change for the better, I won't be a good wife, mother and over all a good person. "

"You are seeing a therapist? "

Payal nodded and explained to her how Akash had seen how insecure she was and suggested a therapist for her, that was why the reception was postponed for two weeks and to give her some time but only Akash and Nk knows about her seeing a therapist.

"She discovered I suffer from anxiety, inferiority complex and sufffering from depression because of it and she has been helping me to overcome it and other issues I may have that she hasn't diagnosed yet. "

Khushi finally understood her change and smiled feeling happy for her.

She hugged Payal who reciprocated as Akash who was looking for her because of the guests wanting to meet her smiled seeing them making up.

That smile dropped when he saw Shyam walk up to the sisters with a glass of wine in his hands and staring at Khushi lustfully and from their expression, he knew they girls were disgusted to see him just like he was also disgusted by him when Payal had revealed what he did to Khushi and the Gupta family a week ago.

He always knew Shyam was a sneaky person so he immediately believed Payal when she revealed everything to him and he understood why the family hid it but was still angry.

He walked up to them and stared blankly at Shyam who was trying to gauge his emotions but couldn't because just like Arnav, Akash was also a master of disguise.

"Payal the guests are asking for you and Khushi,bhai is going nuts looking around for you..... Please let's get in before he goes bonkers on everyone. " Akash teased and Khushi stared at him stunned but left with them leaving a fuming Shyam behind.

"That bastard didn't even acknowledge me..... You all wait and watch because I will make you all pay dearly for this. "

He walked into to party not knowing he had two hunters in the form of Akash and Arnav who had ordered a background check on him but unknown to the cousins, they are about to discover a sinister conspiracy against them and the family.

Back at the party, Lavanya entered the venue and Anjali who had personally invited her limped up to her and hugged her as Nani and Mami stared at each other not liking what they were seeing.

They knew Lavanya will be hurt to see Khushi and Arnav together because they knew for sure there was something going on between Arnav and Khushi and they not wanting to commit the same mistake left their relationship alone and wanted them to come to them when they were ready.

"Namaste Nani...... Namaste Mami. " Lavanya greeted politely and Nani and Mami blessed her.

"Lavanya?" payal called out in surprised from behind them and Lavanya turned to find Akash with her. "I didn't know you were in town left alone coming to our reception. "

Akash felt the displeasure in Payal's voice which Lavanya noticed and so did the others and unlike Anjali who looked pissed, Nani and Mami understood her frustration.

Anjali who expected them especially Mami to scold Payal was stunned seeing them quiet and smiling awkwardly.

"She is my guest and she is also like family. " Anjali retorted glaring at Payal who ignored her and apologised to Lavanya who accepted her apology.

Nk walked up to them laughing and everyone stared at him confused.

"Nk what's so funny? " Nani asked smiling and Nk pointed towards Arnva's direction.

He was standing at the bar with a glass of wine in his hand with an angry look on his face.

They followed his gaze to find him glaring at Khushi who was so lost fan girling over Salman Khan who was equally gushing over Khushi.

"Lover boy can't stand any man around his woman....... Khushiji is in big trouble." Nk burst out laughing while the other giggled totally oblivious that Lavanya was standing with them.

Anjali was fuming and Lavanya felt a bang in her heart hearing the words of Nk.

She immediately realised Khushi and Arnav were together and had been approved by the family seeing how relax they were at what was happening when they were furious with her for agreeing to have a live in relationship with Arnav.

"Why did Anjali call me here to fix my broken relationship with ASR if he is with Khushi and Khushi,how could she do this to me..... I thought you were my friend......i will never forgive you for this betrayal." Lavanya thought fighting the tears that were threatening to betray her at any moment.

" Oh boy. " Akash exclaimed seeing his brother compose himself and walking up to them.

Khushi smiled sheepishly at Arnav and he shook hands with Salman Khan saying a few words to him and afterwards held Khushi's hand and they walked out of the party as everyone stared at them stunned and the media took advantage of this to get rtp rating because it will be a big story as it's the first time Arnav has been seen like this with a woman.

For others, they will think they were just tow lovely couple leaving a party gracefully but the family knew otherwise.

The family seeing all this burst out into laughter with Lavanya's presence lost in their mind.

"You people are disgustingly insensitive. " Anjali exclaimed angrily and they all turned to her and found Lavanya running out of the party and they all realised their blunder but the damage had already been done.

"Who is that? " Nk asked and Akash explained who she was and Nk felt sorry for her. "We have to apologize to her because it looks like she was really hurt by what we did and if I had seen or known her, I wouldn't have opened my big mouth. "

"No need to worry about her. " Akash dimissed bluntly taking a sip of his wine as everyone stared at him stunned by his nonchalantness. "Why are you staring at me like that?..... She brought it on herself when she fell in love with Arnav or more like his status and money when she knew their relationship wasn't real. "

"Hello hi bye bye... What do you mean by their relationship wasn't real. " Mami exclaimed stunned and so were the others but Akash closed his eyes realising he had exposed his brother's secret.

"Akash answer your mother now. " Nani demanded in a serious tone and Akash sighed and revealed the truth to them.

"Bhai was fed up with Di,you and Maa's constant nagging for him to get married when he clearly made it known to all of you he wasn't interested..... So to get you all of his back, he paid Lavanya to be his fake girlfriend and she was paid and also given unlimited access to all the boutiques and jewelry shops under AR to shop for free which she did all the time without qualms...... She chose this and it's not bhai's fault that she is hurt...... And bhai never gave her any indication he liked her so sorry if she let her illusion become reality and to tell you the truth the three of you are the ones responsible for this. "

Nani and Mami were ashamed realising what them supporting Anjali had lead to and their perception of Lavanya also changed as they no longer viewed her as a victim but rather an opportunistic woman.

This didn't go unnoticed by Anjali when she saw their expression changed and she knew her plan to use Lavanya has failed but she will keep Lavanya because she will be of use one day even though she was angry at her for not revealing the truth.

"This is the last time I will allow you convince me to do your bidding again. " Nani said glaring at Anjali who looked stunned and Mami nodded in support twitching her mouth angrily at Anjali.

They both stood up and walked away and Nk followed them.

Aman came to call Akash as he was needed by one of the investors leaving Payal behind because she was tired of going around.

Akash kissed her forehead before leaving her alone with Anjali.

Payal sat down staring at Anjali and after a few minutes Shyam joined them confused as to why everyone has disappeared from their table.

"Mrs Jha it looks like your plan has failed miserably. " Payal smirked and Anjali glared at her as Shyam looked on confused. "I always knew you were not what you portrayed yourself to be from the day you came to our house to blackmail Khushi and as time goes on you cemented my belief about you being a fraud....... God had written Khushi in the fate and destiny of Arnav and vice versa and you want proof..... Then look at how your plan of making Khushi a villain has flopped...... Better get used to the fact that Khushi will soon be your sister in law and the eldest daughter in law of the Raizada family. "

Anjali wanted to lash out at Payal but held back because of the guests and Shyam was surprised seeing the boldness and confidence of Payal.

"Then you also get ready to always be beneath Khushi. " Anjali mocked knowing Payal has always been insecure about Khushi but she was in for a big surprise seeing Payal smiling.

"Khushi will never be beneath me because do you know why, I am no longer insecure bitch I was in the past and the happiness of my baby sister comes first...... It will be an honor to seeing my sister everyday in the same house and I don't care if she is the eldest daughter in law because I am also the daughter in law and have my husband and Mami's love...... You do realise she now loves me unlike you whom everyone has forgotten...... Better get rid of your obsession to control people and your envy of my sister or else you will be left alone. "

Payal stood up and walked towards Akash wrapping her arm around his waist as Akash introduced her to the clients who happily greeted her.

Anjali felt a bang of jealousy seeing Akash introducing Payal to the people and since the party everyone was gushing about Payal and now Payal is on Anjali's list of the people she hated.

To be continued.

I know there is no Arshi moment here but the next update is guaranteed to be hot and steamy so stay tuned.

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