On the 15th floor of Lucas Corporation, a white room bathed in the warm rays of the setting sun. The sun's rays cast a silhouette of the person sitting in the chair, the only splash of color in an otherwise monochromatic space. Despite the vibrant hues of the individual, the silhouette remained stubbornly black.

Atulya glanced at the clock on her desk, noting that it had just struck three in the afternoon. "Ava's mehendi ceremony is at five," she thought to herself. "I should leave in an hour if I want to make it on time."

Just then, the door to her office swung open, and a member of her secretarial department entered. "Ma'am, someone is here to see you," the assistant announced, interrupting Atulya's thoughts.

With a subtle nod, Atulya granted permission for the visitor to enter. The door swung open once more, and Vidharth strode in, his eyes locking onto the woman seated comfortably in her chair. He took the vacant seat opposite her, his movements fluid and deliberate.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Atulya's expression turned inquisitive. "Why are you here?" she asked Vidharth, her tone direct and to the point.

Vidharth's response was succinct. "I did what you told me to do."

Atulya's eyes narrowed, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Wait, what?" she pressed, her voice tinged with a hint of alarm.

Vidharth averted his gaze, his eyes drifting to the side as he clicked his tongue in a subtle display of annoyance. "Yes, I told her the story you fabricated," he said, his tone laced with a hint of resentment. "Now it's your turn to hold up your end of the bargain and help me."
As Vidharth's eyes snapped back to Atulya's, a fierce intensity burned within them. An unidentifiable emotion flickered in their depths.

"Don't think you did it for me!" Atulya said, her voice laced with venom. "You did it for your parents, not me! I'm just a pawn to you, someone you want to use to get revenge for your parents' death."

She looked at Vidharth with a smirk, her eyes glinting with amusement. Vidharth's expression, however, remained serious.

"Yes, but..." he paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you sure she's just Ava, not Shubhra?"

Atulya's smirk never wavered. "Yes, I'm sure. She's just someone Jeremy picked up to play the role of Serenity's daughter, Shubhra, so he could get Serenity's shares."

Vidharth's expression turned thoughtful, and he shook his head, remembering the look on Ava's face. "I don't know, Atulya. I felt like she was genuinely unaware of everything. Is it right to play with her mind like this?"

Atulya's laughter was cold and mirthless. "Huh! What a brilliant actor she is. She always was. Why else do you think she's where she is right now?" Her eyes glinted with malice, and Vidharth's expression turned skeptical, unsure of what to believe.

Vidharth's eyes scanned the office, ensuring they were truly alone, before focusing on Atulya once more. "Aren't you afraid of someone overhearing us?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.

Atulya's expression remained nonchalant, her voice dripping with confidence. "No one will listen to us here. And as for her," she said, her gaze drifting away from Vidharth, "don't worry. Knowing or unknowingly, she played a part in your parents' death. Even if she is Serenity's real daughter, she's still guilty. She deserves this."

Atulya's eyes sparkled with malice as she continued. "And don't you think her marriage to Adwait is questionable? With so many women available, why did the Malhotras choose her? Isn't it suspicious?"

Vidharth's expression turned incredulous. "Didn't she help you escape from the darkness your own mother trapped you in? Yet you're cursing her? And as for her marriage to Adwait, I know the truth. It wasn't just a coincidence. Someone planned it carefully, from the theft of the diamond to her return to India."

Atulya's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with surprise. "Wait, what? I thought it..."

Vidharth cut her off, his voice firm. "It wasn't her. It was Suhas and Jeremy's plan. They wanted to catch the attention of the Rajvanshs and get that hospital back." Vidharth's words hung in the air, revealing the true masterminds behind the plot.

Atulya's eyes gleamed with admiration as she gazed at Vidharth. "Wait, you had known it all the way to Italy, and yet you didn't let anyone interpret your real intentions. You're quite something," she praised, her voice dripping with smugness.

Vidharth's expression turned wry, and he shook his head. "No, I sincerely didn't know anything. Even when I saw those photos in Ava's house, it was a shock for me. They just looked familiar, and when that couple told me about the rivalry between the Rajvansh and Basu families, I accepted it because I was genuinely unaware of everything."

He paused, his eyes narrowing as he reflected on the past. "I sincerely thought they didn't know my real parents and just adopted me out of pity. But I knew something was off when I looked into Ava's family history. I wanted answers, and as I dug deeper, I realized everything."He continued, her voice low and husky."And then you came to me with your offer." Vidharth's lips curled into a smirk.

"It was a win-win situation. I would get my revenge without dirtying my hands." His eyes glinted with amusement, and Atulya's smile mirrored his.

"I see we both had the same desire," Atulya voiced, her voice low and determined. "Let's help each other then. I want revenge for my everything that happened to me, and if that means stooping low, I won't hesitate."

He paused, his eyes locking onto Atulya's with a fierce intensity. "But if I find out you're just using me as a pawn to get your revenge, remember that I won't think twice before telling her the whole truth."

Atulya's expression remained calm, but a small smirk crept onto her face. "Sure," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

With their understanding in place, Vidharth left for the Randhawa's palace.

As he entered the grand foyer, he was immediately dragged away by Adwait, who pulled him into the study.

"Hey, why are you dragging me here?" Vidharth protested, freeing his hands from Adwait's grasp. But Adwait's mood was already sour, his face twisted in a scowl.

"Why did you tell her all of that?" Adwait demanded, his voice low and accusatory, as soon as he closed the door.

Vidharth feigned innocence, trying to play dumb. "What are you talking about?" he asked, attempting to sound nonchalant.

But Adwait was having none of it. "Stop!" he barked, his eyes blazing with anger. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, and who I'm talking about."

Vidharth felt a surge of unease as Adwait's accusatory glare set him off guard. He hadn't expected Ava to reveal their conversation to Adwait, and now he was caught off balance.

"I know you from such a long time, Vidharth," Adwait uttered, his voice heavy with disappointment. "But why did I never get to know about any of this? And why didn't you tell Ava any of this when we met her in Italy? You had so many opportunities to tell her, but you chose this moment. Why?"

Vidharth's expression turned stoic, and he let out a sigh as he gazed at Adwait. "You know what, Adwait? You didn't even know who my parents are, yet you're talking about knowing me," he said, his words laced with accusation.

Vidharth's statement was like a cold splash of water for Adwait, and he felt a pang of guilt. Vidharth's eyes seemed to bore into his soul as he continued.

"I was an orphan, Adwait. That's the truth. I was just a kid, only four years old. I don't even remember my parents' faces; just a faint memory of them lingers in my mind."

Adwait's expression turned somber, but he pressed on, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Okay, you were an orphan, but what about her brother? Which brother are you talking about? I've known you since we were 14, Vidharth, and I never got to know about him or her. Why?"

"Adwait, it's the truth!" Vidharth protested. "I wasn't lying to her! Why would I do that?"

Adwait's expression remained skeptical. "I don't know your reasons, but I know you, Vidharth. And I can tell that even if you're not lying, you're hiding something. And I won't allow you to harm Ava in any way."

With that, Adwait grabbed Vidharth's collar, his eyes blazing with anger. Vidharth's face twisted in a snarl as he pushed Adwait away. "Fine! Go ahead and try to prove your words."

Just as it seemed like the situation was about to escalate into a full-blown fight, Ishwari burst into the room, her voice shrill with alarm. "What the hell? Why are you two fighting like this?"

She rushed over to the two men, her eyes wide with concern. "What's going on here? What's wrong with you two?"

Vidharth was the first to compose himself, a mask of calmness slipping over his face. "It's nothing, Aunty. Just some casual things."

Ishwari's gaze narrowed, her expression disbelieving. "You two know better than to behave like this. You're not kids anymore! And Adwait, what are you doing here? The function has already started, and everyone is waiting for you!"

Adwait was the first to exit the room, his face still dark with anger. "We were just leaving," he muttered, his voice low and even.

Vidharth followed closely behind, his eyes fixed on Adwait's back as they walked out of the room. The tension between them was palpable, and it seemed clear that this was far from over.

Ava sat serenely at the podium, resplendent in a stunning traditional outfit that exuded elegance and cultural heritage. Her long, pleated skirt in a rich green color perfectly complemented her fitted waistband, accentuating her slender waist. The cropped blouse with short sleeves added a touch of delicacy, with intricate lace and embroidery detailing along the edges that sparkled in the light.

A matching cape draped elegantly over her shoulders, featuring detailed embroidery along its borders that flowed gracefully down to the floor. The cape added an extra layer of sophistication to her outfit, making her look like a true bride-to-be.

Traditional jewelry complemented her attire, enhancing her already-graceful appearance. A few girls surrounded her, busily applying intricate henna designs on her hands and feet. The aroma of henna and essential oils wafted through the air, creating a sense of tranquility and celebration.

Riva sat next to Ava, watching with a warm smile as the girls worked their magic on Ava's hands and feet. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and chatter, the excitement of the upcoming wedding palpable in the air.

Unbeknownst to the others, Ava's serene exterior hid a maelstrom of emotions. She sat amidst the laughter and chatter, her mind a thousand miles away, replaying Vidharth's words and the events of the past 24 hours like a broken record. Trying to find something even she was unaware of.

Suddenly, Ava's gaze snapped back to the present, and she turned to Riva with a question. "Did you get to know anything about Caleb?"

Riva's expression turned thoughtful. "No, Atulya is still trying to figure some information about him."

Ava's eyes narrowed slightly, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Vidharth and Caleb. "Okay, and where is she?" she asked Riva.

Riva glanced around, a smile spreading across her face as she spotted Atulya walking towards them. "There she is," Riva said, waving in Atulya's direction.

Atulya approached the trio, a bright smile on her face. "Where were you?" Ava asked her, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

Atulya's smile never wavered. "Me? Handling just some last-minute things," she replied, her tone light and carefree.

Ava nodded, seeming to accept Atulya's explanation at face value. But Riva's eyes lingered on Atulya's face, a flicker of suspicion dancing in their depths.

As Adwait entered the venue, all eyes were drawn to his majestic presence. He was dressed in a stunning light green kurta, knee-length and adorned with intricate silver embroidery on the chest and upper sleeves. The kurta was perfectly complemented by a matching waistcoat, which featured detailed embroidery and embellishments that added a touch of sophistication to his overall look.

Adwait's traditional attire was completed by a white dhoti-style pant that draped loosely around his legs and gathered at the ankles, providing a comfortable yet stylish contrast to the more structured top. On his feet, he wore traditional brown mojari, which perfectly complemented his traditional ensemble.

As Adwait made his way to the podium, the guests couldn't help but be impressed by his regal appearance. He exuded confidence and poise, and his traditional attire only added to his majestic presence. The function began, and Adwait took his place alongside Ava, who looked equally stunning in her traditional attire. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and joy, as the guests eagerly awaited the start of the celebrations.

As the function began, Adwait's eyes met Ava's, and he couldn't help but notice the faint hint of sadness in her eyes.

He smiled warmly at her, trying to reassure her that everything would be alright. Ava smiled back pushing the thoughts that where haunting her to the back of her mind. She wants to enjoy this moment of her life and she didn't want her haunting past to disturb her future.

Adwait's eyes sparkled with adoration as he gazed at Ava, his voice filled with sincerity. "You look ethereal! Just like the Ayla you are." Ava's cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she smiled, clearly pleased by the compliment.

Vritika, who was standing behind them, chimed in with a curious expression. "But what does Ayla mean?" She asked, her eyes darting between Adwait and Ava.

Adwait turned to face Vritika, a charming smile spreading across his face. "The hue of moon," he explained, his voice low and husky. "The serene light of moon that blessed my life." He winked at Ava, who blushed even deeper, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Vritika and Riva, who were standing nearby, couldn't help but tease the couple. "Aww!" they chimed in unison, their voices filled with playful amusement.

Radhika, who was overseeing the proceedings, intervened with a gentle smile. "Okh! Okh! Enough of this. Let's continue the rituals." The group nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Vidharth stood at the periphery of the gathering, his eyes fixed intently on Ava. He seemed lost in thought, his expression a mixture of concern and contemplation. Atulya stood beside him, her eyes scanning the crowd with a calculating gaze.

As the ceremony reached its climax, Adwait's eyes met Vidharth's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The air was thick with unspoken words, and the tension between them was almost palpable. Ava, sensing the unease, glanced at Adwait and then at Vidharth, her eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and concern.

Author's Point

Any comments about these revelations?

What do you thought why Vidharth is second lead?

Phase 1 is about to end. So in phase 2 we would see our second leads more.

Don't worry Adwait and Shubhra would be there too their stories are intertwined together so see you all in next chapter. 😉😉