*Ali Pov*

I wanted to talk to her and tell her everything that happened because of which I was unable to reach her. But I should have known my Father would do something like this.

"I need to talk to her." I said, looking at him, but he shook his head.

"It is not a good omen to look at the bride before the wedding. And tomorrow morning you can talk to her as much as you want to." He said shaking his head.

"Why did you bring all this wedding business this sudden? We just returned today morning." I asked, rubbing my neck feeling irritated and anxious to run away to some place.

"It is needed to present Harsha to our people. They will not take his position seriously if you don't get married to her as per our customs. This will benefit your son." He replied and I don't have any words after that.

After missing so much of his life, I know I will do anything for my son. This is the time to make up for everything.

But what about Jhanvi? Maybe, she can still be my friend and the marriage can be held solid with the friendship for sure. I closed my eyes only to get Nicole's face in my head.

No! It is not proper to think about her when I know I am not unattached at all. I need to forget her! With those words I fisted my hands, hoping the pain will go away.

"I will go." Saying that I walked off from him to reach my place.

I sat on the couch and stared at the wall trying to come out of my thoughts about everything and when I finally heard the knock on the door letting me know that it is time to get ready for the ceremony, I felt nothing inside.

Now, it is in my hands how I can go about with my life and I know I have to think about Jhanvi and Harsha and nothing else.

With those thoughts, I threw my phone to the corner and started getting ready for the wedding with the same numbness finally cutting out every last connection with her.

I kept a smile on my face while she smiled back, but kept on looking at Harsha and her eyes shined whenever Harsha gave the excitement for the day.

He is very important to her and I can see that she has done the best she can ever even after all the struggles. This is our life.

"What?" I screamed at him when he just sat there in silence.

"I will not divorce her. I just married her today and if you want me to divorce her then why did you arrange this wedding?" I shouted at him not able to control my anger.

"Because I need Harsha to be here and his stability between people can be made only through this wedding. Now, you can divorce her and marry the one I asked you to." He replied to which I wish I can kill him right now.

"No! You are stupid if you think I will do anything that you wish for. I didn't do that all those years back and I will not do it now." I stated standing up.

After the celebrations, he called me into the office and I thought he needed to talk about any work, but here he is talking about the divorce.

"Well, I thought their safety is important to you." His words brought me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Well, you are rebelling against me, thinking I need you now and I can't do anything to harm you, but I really don't need your wife and son now, do I?" he asked and I immediately rushed from the room and reached the quarters where both of them are staying.

"His highness ordered not to allow anyone to this side except the servants." The guards stated and I glared at them.

"I am the Prince." I warned them, but they didn't move an inch.

How did I forget that these are the same people who were in my Father's plan all those years back and what difference will they show now.

I turned to reach my Father's office again and asked, "What will get them to leave this place safely?"

"Divorce her and marry the woman I asked you to." He replied shrugging.

"I will divorce her and then they will leave this place." I stated and he raised his eyebrow.

"They?" he asked and I nodded.

"I will not stop her if she takes Harsha with her. And you know that when there is a divorce in our kingdom, the child goes to the parent, he/she wishes." I pointed out and he stared at me with anger.

"Never think that you will always get whatever you want. And if you hurt either of them, then I will not let you live." I warned and walked off.

The next day he presented me with the papers and I realized this was his plan from the beginning. I took some time to think of how to get this to happen.

Maybe I can just tell her the truth and he will not know that I told her everything, right? I can't let her think anymore worst about me.

When I entered her quarters, she was waiting for me with hesitation on her face. I gave her a small smile and she smiled back.

"I feel so awkward with you right now and I don't even know why. I am very happy that Harsha finally met his Dad but I wish we both are not acting like strangers. And I am sure we will be fine if we work on our marriage together." She said and my smile slipped from my face.

"Where is Harsha?" I asked, looking around for him.

"Your Dad wanted to get to know him. So, he said Harsha will stay with him for two days and by that time we may get used to each other." She replied but I panicked hearing that Harsha is with him.

He said I shouldn't tell her why I am giving her the divorce but I thought I can just tell her as he is not present. But now I can't take any chance with him having Harsha with him.

"Sign this, Jhanvi." I said forwarding the papers and she stared at me curiously before taking the papers from my hands.

She gave a gasp reading the papers before glancing at me asking, "Why?"

"This is for the best." I replied and she glared at me in the next second.

"How can you do this to Harsha? If you wanted us to never be in your life, then you shouldn't have entered our lives at all. Why are you doing this? I heard a few people talking about how it would benefit if you married another royalty. Am I here so that you can divorce me and marry such royalty? Then why did you marry me again?" she continued to ask the questions for which I couldn't say anything.

"Just sign them, Jhanvi." I mumbled stepping back.

"And I think by day after tomorrow, everything will finish and you can leave this place." I added to which she closed her eyes.

"And what about my son?" she asked and I expected that.

"He can stay with the parent, he chooses." My reply made her sigh in relief and she immediately signed them.

"I wish you never entered our lives again, Ali. My son would be hurt with all this and... why am I even talking all this. I will take care of my son." She mumbled and I walked off hoping she will forgive me sometime in the future for all this.

I stood in my balcony gazing at the tents I can see from here. How is the work going there? Is Rahim intimating her about the work? No! You can't think about her.

I shook my head and glanced at the corner where my phone is lying. Fisting my hands, I looked away, staring at the sky.

"What is the meaning of this?" Jhanvi asked glaring at me.

"What happened?" I asked her frowning, not understanding what happened now.

I just reached my Father's office room as he called for me and Jhanvi is already there inside while my Father smirked at me.

"There is going to be a council on deciding whether my son will come with me or not." She stated and I immediately stilled.

"What is the need for all that? My son will be coming with me for sure." She continued glaring at me.

"Look..." I started, but she cut off saying, "You look, Ali! I will not let him go through this process. Even though I know he will choose me, I can't let some strangers ask him whom does he choose."

"Mom? Dad?" we heard a voice and turned to see Harsha is standing near the door looking at us.

"Well, first you both have to talk to the council about your divorce. I will stay with Harsha until then." Saying that my Father walked off taking hold of Harsha's hand.

I narrowed my eyes at his back and started to walk towards him but the council head, cleared his throat and started the proceedings.

After some time when they finally ended our marriage, they asked for Harsha's presence. Jhanvi immediately glared at me and I glanced at council members hoping I can sway them.

"There is no need for this. I am allowing her to take Harsha with her and so we can end that matter." I said folding my arms.

"We can't go against the rules." That's all they said and after a few minutes Harsha entered the room not looking at Jhanvi or me.

"Your parents are divorced now, Prince Harsha. With whom do you want to stay?" the council head asked him.

"And you will not be a Prince if you go with your Mom." Father added and I glared at him.

"That's true! But now you have to choose do you want to stay here or go back with your Mother." The council head asked and I frowned at Harsha when he continued to look at the floor.

I thought he would immediately give his reply because I have seen his love for his Mom too. Then why is he not talking? Is he hurt because we are taking divorce?

I promised myself that I will never let him get hurt, but here I am allowing it to happen. I slowly knelt before him and took his hands in mine.

"I am sorry! I wish all this can be avoided, but..." I trailed off not knowing what to say and pulled him into my arms.

"Harsha?" Jhanvi called and took him from my arms.

"Don't worry! We will go back and meet your friends and your best friend. You were missing him, right? We can again be with Kalpana aunty and everything will be fine." he whispered giving him an encouraging smile.

"I want to stay here." His words made everyone pause and she just stilled.

"Harsha! We need to leave this place. I can't stay here." She said after composing herself.

"I want to stay with Dad and I... I want to be a Prince." He whispered stepping back from her.

"Harsha!" she whispered in shock.

"The whole custody of Harsha will be with Ali." Father stated and the council nodded.

"No! He is my son and I am taking him." With those words Jhanvi held Harsha's hand and started walking towards the door but the guards blocked the way.

"I want to stay here, Mom." Harsha whispered.

"I think it would be better if she leaves this kingdom with immediate effect so that Harsha need not be in complete protection. We don't know what she will do now, do we?" Father asked the council.

"I am not leaving this place without my son." Jhanvi shouted looking at me.

"Let them go! I am saying that I want him to be with her. Let them go!" I said, glaring at the council.

"With all the absence you endured all these years, I am sure it will take time for you to get adjusted with the rules again but these cannot be changed." The council head stated.

"Let's go, Harsha! I will see who will stop us." With those words she took a step ahead, but suddenly Harsha took his hand away from hers and rushed near to me.

"I will stay here only." He uttered the words which made her face go pale.

"Get her out from here." My Father ordered and the guard stepped forward to hold her hand.

"Stop right there." I warned him and walked towards her.

I held her hand and walked out of the room while she walked beside me not saying a single word. She left everything and came here to have a life with me and for her son. She even left her job and left the place she was staying. I just wish I didn't met her all those years back and drag her into all these things.

"I am really sorry about all this, Jhanvi. I don't know what happened, but somehow all the things changed. I wish I knew what happened to Harsha." I mumbled, taking her to my suit.

"Just give me some time until I get everything into control and I will bring him to you." I continued saying while dropping all the money that was in my safe into the bag.

"Here!" I said, passing the bag to her hands and she jerked as if she doesn't know where she is.

"Just keep this money and..." before I can say anything she slapped me the next moment.

"You are buying my son with this money?" she asked, slapping me again and I just let her closing my eyes.

"I don't know why he chose me." I said, opening my eyes and she again stilled hearing my words.

I took her hand and again walked out of my room and reached the entrance to find the only one bodyguard who is here for me, but not for my Father and the only person whom I can trust.

"Take her in the jet and make sure she is safe. Until she passed this area, do not let anyone come near her. I want you to protect her." I ordered him and he nodded before opening the car door.

I made her sit inside and whispered, "I will bring Harsha near you as soon as I can."

But she didn't say anything and it felt like she didn't even hear. I squeezed her hand and closed the door.

I glanced back to the stairs to see Father standing with Harsha near him. I can see Harsha's hand in his and I wish I know what is actually going on here. Is there no end to this suffering the people are going through because of me?

I wish, I wish I can do something and not let my Father win from causing trouble in the innocent people's lives. And I really wish I can talk to Nicole right now and unburden myself. More than that I wish she is now beside me holding my hand in hers.

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