The Kohli Mansion was tense. Ranbir sat in the living room, surrounded by his family. The atmosphere crackled with a mix of confusion, anger, and disbelief. Suraj,the well-dressed businessman with a confident demeanor, sat calmly, his daughter Dhavani by his side. Her beauty was undeniable, her poise and elegance immediately drawing attention.

Ranbir, however, wasn't looking at Dhavani. His eyes kept darting toward Prachi, who stood quietly near the corner, her face pale but her expression unreadable.

Suraj (with a smug smile): "Ranbir beta, yeh sirf business ka deal nahi hai. Yeh do families ka ek naya rishta banane ka ek moka hai. Dhavani will make a perfect bride for you — smart, beautiful, and from a family that will support you financially in ways you can't imagine(Ranbir son, this is not just a business deal. This is an opportunity for two families to build a new relationship. Dhvani will make an perfect bride for you – smart, beautiful and from a family that will support you financially in ways you can't even imagine.)" 

Ranbir clenched his fists, his mind racing. He felt like he was in a bad dream.

Ranbir: "Aur Prachi ka kya? Woh mere saath... woh meri(And what about Prachi? She with me...she with me...)" 

Suraj (interrupting smoothly): "Prachi? Woh toh tumhari wife bhi nahi hai. Tum dono ka rishta officially announce bhi nahi hua hai. Publically, tum ab tak single ho. Yeh toh tumhare liye ek nayi shuruaat ho sakti hai(Prachi? She is not even your wife. Your relationship has not even been officially announced. Publicly, you have been single ever since. This could be a new beginning for you.)" 

The room fell silent. Everyone's eyes turned to Prachi, who stood frozen. Ranbir's heart twisted as he saw the quiet resignation in her eyes. She wasn't fighting back. She wasn't saying anything.

After a long pause, Prachi finally stepped forward. Her voice was calm, but it carried the weight of her emotions.

Prachi (quietly): "Ranbir, yeh sirf tumhari family ki baat nahi hai. Tumhara future bhi important hai. Agar tumhe lagta hai ki Dhavani tumhare liye sahi hai... toh shayad yeh decision sahi hoga (Ranbir, this is not just about your family. Your future is also important. If you feel that Dhavani is right for you... then maybe this decision will be right.)" 

Naira (shocked): "Prachi, tum kya keh rahi ho? Tum usse apni jagah lene dogi? Tumne toh Ranbir ke liye itna kuch saha hai(Prachi, what are you saying? Will you give your place to her? You have endured so much for Ranbir.)" 

Prachi (avoiding everyone's gaze): "Naira bhabhi, yeh Ranbir ki zindagi hai. Agar Dhavani ke saath unka rishta unki family ko madad karega... toh main kaun hoti ho rokne wali(Naira sister-in-law, this is Ranbir's life. If his relationship with Dhavani will help his family... then who am I to stop?)"

Ranbir stood up abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor. His voice was laced with anger and disbelief.

Ranbir: "Bas, Prachi! Tumhe lagta hai ki yeh sab kuch mujhe sirf ek financial deal ke liye karna chahiye? Tumhare liye koi farq nahi padta(That's it, Prachi! You think I should do all this just for a financial deal? Doesn't matter to you?)" 

Prachi flinched at his tone but stayed composed.

Prachi (softly): "Ranbir, main sirf tumhare liye best chah rahi hoon. Tumhari family ki financial problem solve ho jayegi. Dhavani... she's perfect. Tumhe ek nayi shuruaat mil sakti hai(Ranbir, I only want the best for you. Your family's financial problems will be solved. Dhavani...she is absolutely right. You can get a fresh start.)"

Ranbir's jaw tightened as he stared at her. He could see the scars on her body, the ones she had gotten during the fire incident. He could also see the pain in her eyes, the insecurity she was trying to mask with her calm demeanor.

Naitik (angrily): "Ranbir, yeh deal sirf ek dhoka hai! Hum apne values ke against nahi ja sakte (Ranbir, this deal is just a betreyal! We cannot go against our values.)" 

Kartik (firmly): "Binoy ji, agar aapke paas paisa hai, iska matlab yeh nahi ki aap Ranbir ki zindagi ka faisla kar sakte ho(Binoy ji, if you have money, it does not mean that you can decide Ranbir's life.)" 

Suraj (smirking): "Toh phir dekhiye kaise aapka business doobta hai. Main sirf help karne ki koshish kar raha hoon(Then see how your business sinks. I am just trying to help.)"

Ranbir turned toward Dhavani, his expression unreadable.

Ranbir then turned to his family, his voice loud and clear.

Ranbir: "Agar main is deal ko accept kar leta hoon, toh iska matlab yeh nahi hoga ki main khush hoon. Aur agar meri khushi meri family ke liye important hai, toh mujhe apne dil ki baat sunni padegi(If I accept the deal, it does not mean that I am happy. And if my happiness is important for my family, then I must follow my heart.)" 

He then looked at Prachi, his voice softening.

Dhavani, radiant in a pastel saree, looked at Ranbir with hopeful eyes. She had no idea about the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

Prachi, standing at the edge of the room, remained silent. Her eyes were downcast, hiding the pain and humiliation she felt. Her scarred body burned with shame, but her heart ached more for the betrayal she could feel looming.

After a long silence, Ranbir finally spoke, his voice cold and calculated.

Ranbir (looking at Binoy): "Agar yeh deal meri family ke liye itni important hai, toh theek hai. Main Dhavani se shaadi ke liye tayaar hoon(If this deal is so important for my family, then so be it. I am ready to marry Dhavani.)"

The room was stunned into silence. Dhavani's face lit up with joy, while Prachi flinched, her nails digging into her palms to keep herself composed.

Dhavani (smiling, almost shyly): "Ranbir... you won't regret this. I'll keep you so happy. I promise."

Ranbir forced a polite smile, but his eyes carried an edge of something darker. This wasn't love. This was revenge—for Prachi's silence, for the financial trap his family had fallen into, and for the pain he couldn't yet articulate.

After Dhavani and Suraj left, Ranbir turned to his family. Everyone looked at him with a mix of anger and disbelief. Naitik, Ranbir's father, was the first to speak.

Naitik (furiously): "Yeh kya kar rahe ho, Ranbir? Tumhe apni zindagi ek deal ke liye bechni zarurat nahi hai(What are you doing, Ranbir? You don't have to sell your life for a deal.)"

Kartik (stepping in): "Papa is right. Yeh shaadi ka faisla tumhare dil ka hona chahiye, na ki kisi financial problem ka solution(Papa is right. This decision of marriage should be based on your heart and not as a solution to any financial problem.)"

But Ranbir didn't respond. Instead, his gaze landed on Prachi, whose face was blank. She wasn't arguing. She wasn't stopping him. That silence stung more than any words could have.

Ranbir (mockingly, to Prachi): "Tumhe toh kuch kehna hai nahi, hai na, Prachi? Tumhe toh sirf sabki khushi chahiye. Toh yeh deal bhi sahi hai tumhare liye(You don't have anything to say, right, Prachi? You just want everyone's happiness. So this deal is also right for you.)" 

Prachi swallowed hard but didn't look up.

Prachi (whispering): "Agar yeh faisla tumhari family ke liye sahi hai, toh main kaun hoon kuch bolne wali(If this decision is right for your family, then who am I to say anything?)" 

Ranbir laughed bitterly, his fists clenching.

Ranbir (sarcastic): "Wah, Prachi. Tumhare liye sab kuch sahi hota hai, bas main nahi(Wow, Prachi. Everything is perfect for you, just not me.)" 

Ranbir (to himself): "Main Dhavani se shaadi karunga, lekin sirf ek naam ke liye. Prachi, tumhe jo dikh raha hai woh sach nahi hai. Ek din tumhe pata chalega ki tumne mujhe kyun khona nahi chahiye tha(I will marry Dhvani, but just for the sake of name. Prachi, what you are seeing is not true. One day you will know why you didn't want to lose me.)"