Vihaan's arms tightened around Gauri for a fleeting heartbeat—long enough for her to look up at him with fragile hope. But then, his expression changed. The tenderness in his eyes turned to steel.
Without warning, he let her go.
Gauri gasped as she hit the marble floor, pain searing through her side. Her bangles shattered, scattering like broken pieces of her heart. The smirk on Vihaan's face froze her more than the fall did—it wasn't Vihaan's warmth she saw, but Sarvansh's cold delight.
"Vihaan…" she whispered, struggling to sit up.
He didn't answer. Instead, he turned and walked toward Mohini, his every step calm, precise, and merciless.
Mohini smiled, her crimson lips curling into triumph. She placed her hand over his shoulder. "That's my boy," she purred. "Remember who you are, Sarvansh. You are Kamini's blood. My blood. You were never meant to kneel before mortals—least of all a woman who defied your power."
Sarvansh's jaw tightened, and his voice came out deep and resolute.
"I will destroy every ounce of hope left in her heart. Gauri Kothari will break."
"Good," Mohini whispered, pleased. "Let her know that love means nothing when darkness reigns."
Behind them, Veena, Charvi, and Yug rushed to Gauri's side, helping her up. Veena's eyes were filled with tears.
"He isn't Vihaan," she murmured. "He can't be."
Sharda placed a trembling hand on her shoulder. "We will find a way, Veena. The Pratham Vanshi will know what to do."
Gauri's pain was written across her face, but her eyes were fierce. She brushed off the dust from her hands and rose. "No," she said firmly. "This is my fight. You go to the Vanshi. I'll bring my husband back."
Mohini turned with an amused chuckle. "Bring him back?" she mocked. "Vihaan no longer exists. Only Sarvansh lives now. If you truly wish to save yourself, touch my feet and surrender before me."
Gauri's lips curled into defiance. "Never."
For a moment, Mohini's eyes glowed bright red, but she quickly masked her fury with a smile. "Very well then," she said smoothly. "There's still time. Let's see how long you can hold on before you crumble."
With that, she turned, her dark gown flowing behind her as she ascended the staircase. Sarvansh followed in silence, his steps echoing like thunder in the hollow hall.
As they disappeared into the darkness above, Gauri clutched her heart, her pain silent but fierce.
Veena caught her hand. "He doesn't mean it, beta. It's not him."
Gauri nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the stairs where her husband had vanished. "I know. Which is why I won't stop until I bring him back. Sarvansh may wear his face, but Vihaan's soul still breathes beneath the darkness—and my love will find it."
Later, when the moon climbed high over the mansion, Gauri entered their room quietly. Sarvansh stood near the window, his reflection cold against the glass.
"Let me speak to my husband," she said softly, her voice steady but trembling beneath the weight of love.
Sarvansh didn't turn. "Your husband is dead." His tone was like ice. "Vihaan Kothari no longer exists—and if he did, he would have hated you for what you made him."
The words struck her like daggers, but she didn't flinch.
"If hating me keeps him alive inside you, then hate me all you want," she whispered. "Because no matter how deep you bury him, love doesn't die—it waits."
Sarvansh finally turned, his eyes flickering between rage and confusion. For a fraction of a second, she saw something—a flicker of Vihaan's warmth—before the shadow consumed him again.
Gauri's voice softened. "You can lie to me, Sarvansh… but you can't lie to your own heart. Because that heart still beats for me."
She turned away then, tears burning her eyes, but her spine remained straight, her faith unshaken.
Behind her, Sarvansh clenched his fists. For a brief moment, his hand trembled—as if something inside him was fighting to reach her.