"Stop pretending you're something you're not."
Sonia's grip on Aarohi's shoulder tightened as she dragged her back inside the room.
Aarohi had barely stepped toward the door when Sonia yanked her back with full force, throwing her to the floor.
Pain shot through her spine.
"Have you even looked at yourself?" Sonia snapped, her voice dripping with contempt. "We raised you, fed you, gave you a place to live for all these years… and this is how you repay us?"
Aarohi slowly pushed herself up, her palms trembling—but her eyes were steady.
"You should be grateful," Sonia continued, her tone turning cruel. "If I hadn't saved your crazy mother, she would've died on the streets."
Aarohi's expression didn't change.
But something inside her… cracked.
"So what if I hit you?" Sonia added harshly.
Her gaze suddenly dropped—
To Aarohi's neck.
The marks.
Visible. Raw.
For a second, Sonia froze.
Then her lips curled in disgust.
"I knew it," she muttered, almost laughing. "You're just like her."
Aarohi's fingers clenched.
"You only know how to seduce men," Sonia continued, her voice rising again. "If you want to throw yourself at someone, do it outside this house. Don't bring your filth here."
Aarohi let out a soft, bitter laugh.
That reaction only made Sonia angrier.
"The Oberoi family's heir—Rahul Oberoi," Sonia went on, her tone full of mockery, "do you really think someone like you even has a chance?"
Her eyes scanned Aarohi from head to toe.
"He wouldn't even look at you."
The slap that followed echoed in the room.
Aarohi's face turned to the side—
But she didn't react.
Not to the pain.
Not to the humiliation.
Because this?
This wasn't new.
But the words…
They still cut deep.
And yet—
She smiled.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
Pulling her clothes up to cover her shoulder, she looked straight at Sonia.
"If I'm so unworthy," she said calmly, "and he wouldn't even look at me…"
Her eyes sharpened.
"Then why are you so worried?"
Sonia froze.
For a moment—
She had no answer.
Voices echoed from outside.
Laughter.
Rahul… and Kiara.
The sound made Sonia tense.
She quickly lowered her voice and stepped closer to Aarohi.
"Stop your tricks," she whispered sharply. "Don't even think about creating a scene."
Aarohi didn't move.
Sonia paused… then suddenly changed her tone.
"There's another proposal."
Aarohi's brows furrowed slightly.
"The Chopra family," Sonia continued. "They're coming tonight. For their second son—Raghav."
Aarohi's eyes widened.
She knew exactly who that was.
A slow, cold realization settled in.
"You want me to marry him?"
Her voice dropped.
That man…
Unstable.
Unpredictable.
Practically known as insane.
And this woman—
Was calling it a good match?
"I'm thinking about your future," Sonia said smoothly. "The Chopra family has money, status… power."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"If you marry into that house, your life will be secure."
Aarohi let out a quiet laugh.
"Secure?"
Her gaze turned sharp.
"You mean trapped."
Sonia's expression hardened.
"Don't act smart."
"No," Aarohi shot back instantly. "If you care so much, why don't you marry him yourself?"
The air went cold.
"I'm not your puppet," Aarohi continued, her voice steady but fierce. "You don't get to decide my life."
And before Sonia could react—
Aarohi turned and flung the door open.
"Stop!"
Sonia lunged forward, grabbing her again.
But this time—
Aarohi didn't hold back.
She twisted sharply and pushed Sonia away with full force.
Sonia stumbled and fell to the ground.
Shock flashed across her face.
"How dare you—!"
"If you try to stop me again," Aarohi said, her voice dangerously calm, "I won't hold back next time."
For a second—
Everything went silent.
Then Sonia's voice turned ice-cold.
"If you walk out of this house…"
Aarohi paused.
"…I'll make sure your father throws your mother's ashes out of this house."
That did it.
Aarohi's body went still.
Her fists clenched tightly.
Hatred burned in her eyes—
But she said nothing.
Because she knew—
They would do it.
And she couldn't let that happen.
Without another word—
She turned and ran.
But she didn't get far.
The moment she stepped outside—
Multiple cars screeched to a halt.
Doors opened.
Men stepped out.
Surrounding her.
Her heart dropped.
"No…"
Sonia's voice came from behind.
"I was doing this for your own good," she said calmly. "And yet, you tried to run."
Aarohi glared at her.
"Catch her."
Within seconds—
They grabbed her.
She struggled.
Fought.
But she was alone.
And they were too many.
Her hands were tied.
Her freedom—gone.
Back inside the mansion—
Aarohi was forced into a room.
Makeup artists rushed in.
Covering her bruises.
Hiding the truth.
Turning her into… something presentable.
Something sellable.
Sonia stood there, watching.
Like she owned her.
"You thought you were clever?" Sonia said coldly. "Running away?"
Aarohi clenched her teeth, trying to free her hands—but it was useless.
"Get ready," Sonia continued. "You'll meet Raghav Chopra tonight."
Aarohi's breathing slowed.
Her anger… settling into something darker.
More dangerous.
"Do you really think…"
She spoke quietly.
"…this will end the way you want?"
Sonia didn't answer.
But for the first time—
There was a flicker of unease in her eyes.
Elsewhere—
Kunal stood in front of Ashok Kapoor.
The atmosphere was tense.
"Dadaji," Kunal said firmly, "you don't understand the situation. That night—was not intentional. It was an accident."
Ashok's expression didn't change.
"Then marry her."
Kunal's eyes darkened.
"No."
Silence.
Heavy.
Cold.
"You've already crossed the line," Ashok said. "You don't get to walk away now."
"I won't marry a stranger," Kunal replied sharply.
Ashok leaned back slightly.
"And what about your lover?"
That hit.
Kunal's gaze turned deadly.
"If you refuse…" Ashok continued calmly, "I'll make her life worse than death."
A pause.
Then—
"I have my ways."
The room went silent.
Kunal's fists clenched.
His control—
Barely holding.
"You can try," he said coldly. "But if you touch her—"
Ashok smiled faintly.
"You've grown strong."
A pause.
"But not strong enough to protect everyone."
At that same moment—
Aarohi sat in front of the mirror.
Dressed.
Prepared.
Trapped.
But her eyes—
Were no longer helpless.
They were calculating.
Burning.
Changing.
Because this time—
She wasn't going to be sacrificed.
And tonight…
Everything was about to collide.