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Harshad's behaviour isn't accepted no matter how hurt he is or how much Navya betrayed him. I asked him to stop but he did not listen, I tried to speak with Niyonika but she stood there encouraging the scene instead of stopping it. 

How is it possible? Navya was most loved by Niyonika but all of a sudden she became a lowlife just because she doesn't have a status. This is crazy! What about their bonding? Navya dedicated all her time to trying to impress Niyonika and Harshad, she was lost in her imaginary life and getting hurt by her loved ones is crazy. She must be devastated by their treatment!

I did not know how to end Navya's misery. What can I do to make Harshad listen to me? Do I have any power to step up? And with that thought, I did something without breaking even for a second. Please leave her, I am telling this as your would-be wife, Harshad. 

Where the hell did that come from? Would-be-wife? Like really Nandini? I was supposed to save Navya from this torture and I got myself into their messy life by accepting a marriage with Harshad. Damn it! Harshad out of all people? I internally slapped myself as hard as I could for my stupidity.

I heard a glass shattering behind me and it was crystal clear that Manik destroyed something in the bedroom. "Argh!" Manik yelled. Cabir ran inside pushing me and everyone out of his way and shut the door with Manik and himself. 

Did he lock me out of my bedroom? But then I remembered I am no longer staying with Manik so technically it is not my room anymore. Annoyingly, it hurt me.

Anyways, Harshad left Navya and she fell on the ground coughing and gasping for air. She tried to speak but nobody could hear her as she lost her voice with Harshad attack on her throat. Navya cried and cried more trying to say something to Harshad but he looked away folding his hands over his chest. 

I felt sad at her situation and I gasped for air. Navya stood up and cupped Harshad's right cheek with her palm and the other one over her stomach. More tears rolled down her cheeks as Harshad made a disgusting look at her. 

Why is she holding her stomach? Is she hungry? Of course, it is three in the early morning and she was awake all night along with everyone. It is obvious that she is hungry and she is requesting food. But Niyonika ordered them not to give her any food as a punishment.

"Drag her away," Niyonika ordered and the female guards pulled Navya by her arms.

"Wait!" I yelled and turned to Niyonika to negotiate with her. "My Queen, please do not hurt Navya. She is a human too."

Niyonika cupped my cheeks with her palm. "Oh, dear! You are too innocent to understand this world. That is a vile woman who deserves slow and painful death." 

I shook my head. "That's cruel! Please do not hurt her. She is the only living person reminding me about my family." I paused. "Also my friend once upon a time." I continued slowly.

Niyonika was adamant about punishing Navya and did not consider my words. Hence, I used the weapon I have right now against her. "If you hurt Navya, I will not marry Harshad."

This shook Harshad as well as Niyonika and they began requesting me to think twice as Navya doesn't deserve any sympathy. After so much pleading and crying Niyonika finally agreed. "Alright. She will be well fed and clothed but shall not see the sunlight in her lifetime." I tried to negotiate more but she showed her palm to me stopping my words. "I am ordering this as the Queen mother of The Boss." 

After her title, I had nothing to say, as I am after all a soon-to-be wife to a second-in-line man. I remained calm and accepted the order of Niyonika. The female guards dragged Navya as she kept patting her stomach and wailing for Harshad. Poor one seems to be so hungry. Well, at least Niyonika let her have food so she is good for now. 

Now, it's just Niyonika, Harshad and I standing in the corridor in front of Manik's bedroom. Niyonika hugged Harshad and cried. "My poor son, please forgive me. You were about to get married to a fake woman and got hurt all because of your stupid mother. Oh, you shouldn't have listened to me and should have married someone of your choice. You should have just got any woman into the house like your brother Manik and stayed happy. Why should you obey your mother's wish?"

Harshad wiped her tears. "Because I am not like Manik, Ma. I can not bring any woman to the house and claim her mine. I want a respectful daughter-in-law suitable to my mother." He smiled. "I have only one goal in my life and that is not to disappoint you." 

Listening to his words Niyonika once again cried out loud. Harshad is a selfless man. Even now after getting betrayed by a woman he trusted, he is still staying strong for his mother. Niyonika is lucky to have a son like Harshad. 

A few moments later Niyonika looked at me and smiled. "You have endured a lot, isn't it? I am so sorry for not treating you like a princess but I promise that everything will be alright now. After all, you are the one Mr Malhotra chose for my Cupcake."

"Ma, stop it." Harshad blushed and Niyonika chuckled. 

Seeing them share a good bond reminded me of my family. I was happy too without the knowledge of things happening beyond my mansion's borders. My world was only my father and mother and now I have none. My world is empty and destroyed. All these days I fought for my identity and now that I have it why am I not feeling happy? Why am I feeling as if I am losing something? 

A tear rolled down my cheek and I quickly wiped it with the back of my hand. Harshad noticed me crying and shook his head signalling me to stop crying. 

"It's okay, Nandini. You do not have to cry over the past. I know you have shared a bed with my brother but it doesn't matter to me. Don't feel that you are a used woman but feel that it's a new start. I will not judge your character by your past." His words made no sense to me. What is he trying to say? 

In a fraction of a second Manik opened the bedroom door and lunged at Harshad. He punched once again on Harshad's jaw and I am afraid he might dislocate Harshad's bones if he hits punched once more. "Stop spewing shit, you primitive bastard!" 

Manik continued punching Harshad while Niyonika sobbed over his behaviour. Cabir gave a frustrated sigh and pulled Manik aside. "They are not worth our time, Manik. Stop destroying everything." Cabir said to Manik who wasn't in the mood to leave Harshad's jaw. 

"Manik, please leave Harshad." Niyonika cried.

"Ma, please help me from him. Why is he hitting me? I am trying to convince you so that you can accept Nandini as your daughter-in-law and my wife. I am trying to make you happy." Harshad said earning another punch from Manik. 

"Stop dragging her into this mess. If you are a man then attack me like one instead of going back and hurting people I care about." Manik continued punching Harshad's gut as he yelled in pain. 

"Manik!!" Cabir shouted at Manik and pulled him out of the fight zone and Niyonika immediately fell to Harshad's level trying to tend his wounds. "You are the Boss of our Empire, stay composed. You are destroying everything." Cabir was speaking to Manik and blocking Harshad from his view to ease his anger. 

Manik closed his eyes and took a deep breath and calmed himself. 

Harshad stood up with the help of Niyonika and wiped his blood from his mouth. He smiled showing his bloody teeth scaring me. "Why don't you clarify things Manik? Just tell me you have not slept with her and Nandini is still untouched. Tell me she is still pure and I can marry her." 

Manik's eyes were red and his nose was flaring. I could imagine Manik holding Harshad's head and cracking it on the ground. But he stood rooted to his spot as Cabir consoled him with all his might. "Manik, he is trying to provoke you. Do not listen to his shit." 

Harshad laughed. "You are silent? I know about you very well." He turned towards Niyonika and continued with immediate change of expression. "See, Ma, I am different from Manik. I won't bring any woman into the house and in fact I don't care if Nandini is a virgin or not. Because I value our family and their promises. I am a good man who will accept Nandini despite her tainted past." 

There was a pin-drop silence in the area as I hugged myself standing in the corner away from all these people. It was scary. I did not understand anything here but all I know is I am alone and being targeted by everyone. 

Manik stood in front of me and stared at me intently with anger and pain in his eyes. "Is your family promise worth it? You are leaving everything behind for that fucker? You don't even love him."

I glared at him with my fearful yet teary eyes. "Not everything needs love, Mr Manik Malhotra. Sometimes family comes first even if they are dead and it's our responsibility to must keep their promise. Not everyone can walk away from memories and people like you."

"You are making a big mistake, Nandini." He whispered. 

I sarcastically laughed. "I am done with your manipulation, Manik. I have my identity now. Everyone knows about the family arrangement and now I can live rightfully without fearing anyone."

I walked away from Manik and stood in front of Cabir and Niyonika. "Thank you very much for accepting me even if I am after everything. You are an angel for accepting me into your life, Harshad. I am extremely thankful for providing me with a new life." 

Manik yanked me by my arm and raised his voice at me. "You don't even know the meaning of your words and what the fuck are your thankful for, huh? Do you even understand what he accused you?" 

Niyonika stepped in between Manik and me and slightly shoved Manik to create a gap between us. "Stay away from her, Manik. She is soon to be brother's wife." She then announced, "We have to perform the cleansing ritual as soon as possible."

"Cleaning ritual? That's outdated ..." Cabir started but was interupted by Manik.

"Cabir, let them do as they please with this woman." Manik raised his hands and backed away. "If you are scared that I might take her away from your precious son, then please be assured I have no intention to look at an average woman. I thought I can claim all her property by hiding her identity but it's of no use as her mansion is burnt, her father's winery business is in ruins, and their crop land is infested. She is of no use to me and I am out of your family drama."

Harshad smirked. "Really Manik?"

Manik smirked back. "Why do you think I announced her as mine when I have a wealthy, smart, independant and sexy woman as Alia as my fiancee? Everyone knows I have feelings for Alia from my childhood and you think a random princess of tiny territory could attract me, the Boss of Malhotra Empire? Everything is power and business to me."

...

Precap

How is the update?

Navya is hungry and she is out of the story.

Harshad is so kind that he is ready to accept Nandini.

Dumb Nandu is now guilty about herself and thankful to Harshad.

What will happen next?