The crystal chandeliers suspended from the ceiling cast a warm, refined glow throughout the room, creating an atmosphere of opulence. Designer table lamps and subtle LED light installations added layers of depth, providing flexibility and comfort. As I stood there, surrounded by this tranquil ambiance, I felt an overwhelming urge to open up, to share and understand.

My mind wandered back to the events of the past three months. It was all happening so fast, yet somehow, it felt right. Marriage? Staying here? I couldn't believe I was considering it, but a part of me truly wanted to.

This family, with all their quirks and love, had unintentionally given me something I'd always lacked – warmth. The kind of warmth everyone craves. Every time I stepped into this palace, I felt a sense of safety, like I didn't need to constantly be on guard. It wasn't a den of greedy wolves, but a sanctuary.

As I breathed in the tranquility, I realized that this was what home felt like. A place where I could let my defenses down, where love and acceptance weren't just words, but a way of life.

The concept of home had long been lost to me, but this place feels warm. No one is perfect, and neither are the people here; they have their own shortcomings, but they don't separate me from them. I am one of them here.

The mental bubble I had created burst as I heard a familiar voice.

"So, you're finally getting married, huh?"

Drake chose to announce his presence with these words, his cousins trailing behind him.

"Huh! But you'll have a thrilling story to tell your grandkids!" Andrew exclaimed, and everyone erupted into laughter.

"Yeah, yeah! Keep laughing at my expense!" I muttered with a pout.

"Of course! Who would have thought the only daughter of the York family would get married like that?" Nicolas declared with a smug look. I scoffed.

Nicolas settled into the sofa chair beside me, while the others claimed their favorite spots. The once-empty room was now filled with seven towering men, two of whom made a beeline for the bar in the left corner.

"But no problem... It's still the same thing," Nicolas repeated, and the group erupted into laughter at my expense.

Drake's voice cut through the chatter. "By the way, where's our brother-in-law? I really want to meet him." His excitement was palpable.

Andrew cracked open bottles of beer and handed them out. "Why? You wanna kidnap him too?" I teased, accepting a bottle from Andrew with a nod of thanks.

Drake chuckled. "Ohh! If you'd told me earlier, I would've done it without any problem!"

I smirked, flipping my braid. "If any of you were capable, I wouldn't have had to take matters into my own hands." I took a sip from my bottle.

Dante raised an eyebrow. "Whoa! What's with this attitude?"

I scoffed, unfazed.

Jarek rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Come on, you all know her attitude!"

Josh pretended to wipe away tears. "So, our little sis is finally getting married!" The others mimicked him, feigning sentimental sorrow.

"Yuck! You guys are the worst at acting!" I scrunched my nose in disgust.

Laughter erupted throughout the room.

"Are my dear uncles and aunts here too?" I asked.

Since my encounter with SYL, where I outdid them and came out on top, I've been regarded as a special person in their eyes. Previously, I remembered being excluded from events, but after securing and successfully completing that coveted first project, I became the guest of honor at every party.

Joseph's parents, Uncle Carlo and Aunt Evelina, were always kind to me from the start. That was one reason I decided to help them. They've always been good to me.

"Yeah!" they replied in unison.

"Very well, we're invited to dinner with the Randhawa's!" I announced.

"Woah! I'm really excited to meet our only bil!" Josh exclaimed with a smirk.

"Who's bil?" I asked.

"Oohoo! Bil is short for brother-in-law, sis," Josh replied, eliciting an eye-roll from me.

"I'm sure he'll love this," I snapped.

"He will, surely," Josh muttered under his breath.

I wondered what was going through his head.

"Okay, so when?" Drake asked.

"At 9," I shared, recalling the information Maa had given me.

"Where's our bil?" Josh asked, entering the manor.

I scanned my surroundings, but all I saw were my towering brothers. At 5'9", I was dwarfed by these hulking men, who blocked my line of sight.

"If you guys would at least let me see, I might be able to find him," I said, exasperated.

My brothers obligingly stepped aside, clearing my view.

"The whole house is yours, My Lady!" Andrew teased.

I rolled my eyes.

Just then, Vritika appeared before me, squealing "Bhabhi!" - but halted a few meters away, her gaze fixed on my imposing guards.

"Hello, dear," Nicolas said, his eyes scanning Vritika. He quickly looked away, but I caught the glance.

Vritika's cheeks flushed with a faint scarlet hue at his words. I made a mental note to keep them separate, considering Nicolas's role in her kidnapping.

"Could you please show us some mercy and introduce us to the beautiful girl standing here?" Drake asked with a smirk.

I flipped my hair dramatically, mirroring Drake's flair. "Yeah, sure!" I said, walking over to Vritika.

"Everyone, this is my only sister-in-law, Vritika," I introduced.

"Save your energy," Drake teased. "You'll need it to introduce us to the whole family!"

Janav, Ariv, and Vidharth entered through the garden door.

"Woah! You've got a whole team to beat me up? I just touched your husband!" Vidharth exclaimed, hands on his chest.

Josh sprang forward, cracking his knuckles. "Seriously? I wouldn't mind breaking a few bones!"

I thought to myself, Did I forget to mention Josh is an actor? And a superb one at that. That's why he's a superstar.

Vidharth shrieked, "Ohh... Myyy... Goodddd....."

Joseph intervened, "Can we enter, or do you want to start it here?"

I stared at him, horrified. Not him too... I hadn't expected this from Joseph, but life had taught me to anticipate the unexpected.

"Wait, let me try some of my punches too!" Nicolas interrupted, eagerness shining on his face.

Ariv and Janav stood in the corner, struggling to contain their chuckles, while Vritika covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.

Vidharth scanned the room, his eyes wide with alarm. "One against seven? That sounds utterly unfair!"

Josh shrugged nonchalantly. "Does it matter?"

Vidharth turned to Josh, pleading. "Come on, bro! At least be on my side."

Josh grinned mischievously. "Oh, and why? My sis asked me to do something, and I always follow her orders!"

I eyed Josh from head to toe, incredulous.

Vidharth chuckled. "No worries, Janav, Ariv! You're on my team, at least!" He called out to the duo, who were laughing uncontrollably in the corner, holding their stomachs.

"Vidharth bhai, we're with you from here!!" Ariv and Janav exclaimed, their laughter growing louder.

Vidharth pleaded, "Ava, stop them, yaar! Please!"

I intervened, "Stop it, guys! Please!"

But Ariv, Janav, and Vritika chimed in, "No, Bhabhi! Please! The fun's about to begin!"

Dante added, "Right, Ava, don't be a party pooper!"

Exasperated, I warned, "Gosh, guys! Stop this!"

They reluctantly subsided, and Vidharth clung to my hands, declaring, "I'm definitely on your side now! You three monkeys don't dare come near me!"

I brushed him off, saying, "Okh, okh!"

Just then, Adwait entered, asking, "What's happening?"

Josh grinned. "You've got perfect timing, bro!"

Adwait's eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face as he gazed at Josh.

The two men hugged, but Josh quickly punched Adwait, who winced, clutching his abdomen.

I watched, bewildered. Did they know each other?

"Did you guys know each other already?" I asked.

"Yeah!" Adwait replied. "Ayla, meet Josh Calderon."

I rolled my eyes. They seemed determined to annoy me today.

"Ayla!" they shouted in unison.

Mortified, I wished I could disappear.

"Yeah, she's Ayla, my wife!" Adwait said, his tone radiating innocence.

Gosh, this man! I'm going to kill him!

"Look, Bil!" Josh exclaimed.

"Bil?" Adwait asked.

"Yes, Bil. Since you're my brother-in-law, Bil for short," Josh clarified, deciphering the code for Adwait.

"Wait, what? Brother-in-law?" Adwait asked, his gaze darting between me, Josh, and the others, confusion etched on his face.

"Seriously, can you guys shut up for a moment!" I exclaimed, my voice rising in frustration.

Just then, Nicolas popped up out of nowhere, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hmm, let me think... It's a clear no."

Adwait's confusion deepened. "What's going on here? Someone explain!"

Josh chuckled. "Ava's my sister, and you're her husband, making you my brother-in-law."

Adwait's eyes widened. "You're Ava's cousin?"

I sighed, exasperated. "Yes, Josh is my Cousin."

Nicolas chimed in, "And I'm the one who's enjoying this drama immensely."

"Very well... Then I should leave!!" I declared, shooting Josh and Nicolas a stern glance before storming out of the room.

I sought refuge in the kitchen, hoping to escape the embarrassment.

"God save me!!" I exclaimed, entering the kitchen where Chachi and Maa were busy instructing the servants.

Maa turned to me, concern etched on her face. "What happened, dear?"

Chachi, still chuckling, replied, "Ohh!! Bhabhi, it was hilarious!! I thought I was the only one dealing with mischievous family members, but now I see there are many more!"

Her laughter was contagious, and Maa couldn't help but join in.

"Ohh!!" was all I could manage, my face burning with embarrassment.

"Maa!! Please! Not you too!!" I pleaded, my voice laced with a hint of desperation.

Maa's expression softened, and she offered me a warm, albeit fake, sympathetic smile. "It's okay, sweetheart!!"

Chachi wiped tears from her eyes, still grinning. "You have to admit, beta, Josh and Nicolas are quite the entertainers."

Maa patted my back reassuringly. "Don't worry, we're here to protect you from those two troublemakers."

Here's the enhanced version:

I fled the chaotic scene, seeking refuge in what I thought was my sanctuary. But before I could catch my breath, a strong pair of hands enveloped me, spinning me around.

"Come with me," Adwait whispered urgently, his eyes burning with intensity.

He swept me into our room, shutting the door behind us, enveloping us in a quiet cocoon.

"Josh is your cousin," Adwait stated, his voice low and even.

I nodded, still reeling from the earlier chaos. "Yes, and you know him, right?"

Adwait's gaze never wavered. "We met in Paris. I was there for work."

I raised an eyebrow, waving my hand dismissively. "I didn't ask for explanations. You brought me here, so I assume it's about our unfinished conversation after Vihaan left."

With a sigh, I flopped onto the bed, my body surrendering to exhaustion.

Adwait sat beside me, his proximity comforting, his presence a calming balm.

I took a deep breath, beginning from the start. "When I dug into my father's past, I discovered he owns a hospital. I knew he was a doctor, but the hospital ownership...that was a surprise."

"And what about the gift he was talking about?" Adwait's brow furrowed, his lips thinning.

I hesitated, memories flooding back. "Remember when we left Italy? Jarek received a parcel?"

Adwait nodded, curiosity sparking. "Yes."

"There was blood-soaked clothing inside," I revealed, my voice barely above a whisper. "That was the gift he was talking about."

Adwait's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

I pulled him close, seeking comfort in his warmth. "Yeah," I whispered.

He fell onto the bed beside me, his face a picture of bewilderment. "What was it for?" he asked, brows raised in astonishment.

I snuggled deeper into his side, hiding my face in his chest. "You avoided me for so long, just because of that payoff."

Adwait's arms enveloped me, holding me tight. "No, it wasn't just that," he whispered. "I was trying to protect you."

His words stirred emotions within me. I tilted my head, meeting his gaze.

"From what?" I asked, my voice laced with vulnerability.

"From the whirlwind of emotions flowing within me," Adwait muttered, his voice barely audible.

Just then, Vritika's urgent voice pierced the air from the other side of the door. "Bhai!! Are you here?"

Jarek's reply was laced with amusement. "Since the door is locked from inside, he would be inside."

Ariv chimed in, a mischievous glint in his tone. "Maybe bhabhi is the one inside."

Jarek countered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Right, she's also nowhere to be seen!"

Janav's speculative voice joined the chorus. "Or maybe both of them?"

Vritika's patience wore thin. "Let me ask. Bhai, hi! Are you there?" she shouted again, her voice tinged with worry.

I turned to Adwait, my eyes locking onto his. "Let's go," I whispered, breaking the spell.

Adwait sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly as he rose from the bed. Together, we unlocked the door and stepped out into the chaos.

They glanced at us with curiosity, but before they could speak, Adwait's murderous aura already enveloped them, and I glared at Jarek to keep quiet.

We reached the dining hall, where, thankfully, Dad and the other elders were already present, ensuring everyone remained subdued.

"You should introduce us, dear!" Dad said to me.

I began the introductions.

"My grandfathers are three brothers. The eldest is Granddad Pietro, then Ivano, and lastly, my grandfather Nicolo."

Grandad Pietro has one son, Carlo, who is married to Evelina. They have two sons, Joseph and Drake.

Grandpa Ivano has a daughter, Livia, who is married to Antonio. They have two sons, Josh and Andrew.

Ivano's son, Santo, is married to Erica, and they also have two sons, Dante and Nicolas.

Lastly, there's my grandfather Nicolo.

Next, I introduced the Randhawa's.

Dinner finally came to an end, and the evening wore on. The elders settled in for a leisurely conversation, while we, the slightly younger generation, retreated upstairs.

We gathered in the tranquil terrace garden, surrounded by lush greenery and soft cushions. Though "youngsters" might be stretching it – most of us were in our mid-to-early thirties – it felt nice to unwind together.

As I sat down, Adwait silently claimed the spot beside me. While the others chatted, he caught my eye and flashed his most disarming smile.

I shot him a warning glance, hoping to deter any teasing that might embarrass me further. But Adwait's innocent expression only made me sigh.

As I turned away, his warm hands found their way to my bare back, exposed between my blouse and sari. His gentle touch sent shivers down my spine.

With deft fingers, he began tracing small circles on my skin, sending waves of relaxation through me. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to surrender to his soothing touch.

The night air filled with laughter and conversation, but my focus remained on Adwait's gentle caress.

"So, bro, I think you said you'd never marry my sis, even if she's the last girl on earth," Josh blurted, his words dropping like a bombshell.

My eyes widened in shock, and Adwait's grin vanished, replaced by a stunned expression. Josh's smug face only added fuel to the fire.

"I didn't mean it like that... I swear... I really swear, Ayla, I didn't mean it like that..." Adwait stuttered, his face flushing.

Jarek, quiet until now, chimed in, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Ohhh, really? When?"