Mahak sat at her polished desk, the soft glow of her office lamp illuminating the scattered notes, charts, and sketches spread before her. Her hands gripped the edge of a sleek leather notebook, her knuckles white. Crescent Bay wasn't just a deal-it was the deal, the crown jewel of her portfolio, the one project she had poured her heart and soul into.

Her connection to the Crescent Bay Resort had started years ago, long before she had taken over the Usman family's empire. On a vacation with her family to its iconic golden beaches, she had been entranced by the property's potential. It was a jewel in disrepair-a stunning location with crumbling foundations and a lack of vision.

"Ek din yeh mera hoga," she had said to her father then, standing on the cliffside overlooking the shimmering waters. (One day, this will be mine.)

And she had meant it.

For months, Mahak had worked tirelessly to position herself as the perfect buyer. Crescent Bay wasn't just about luxury; it was a symbol of revival and innovation. Her vision was to restore the resort to its former glory while turning it into a modern sanctuary that respected the environment, blended high-end technology with traditional craftsmanship, and became a destination for travelers seeking something truly unique.

But convincing the owners, the eccentric siblings Samira and Ilyas Khan, had been an uphill battle. They were fiercely protective of their family legacy and resistant to change.

"Hum Crescent Bay kisi ko nahi bechenge jo sirf profit ke peeche ho," Samira had said during their first meeting, her tone sharp and skeptical. (We won't sell Crescent Bay to someone only interested in profit.)

"Profit ke bina kuch bhi sustain nahi kar sakta," Mahak had replied, her voice calm but firm. "Lekin agar aapka vision aur mera experience mil jaye, toh Crescent Bay ko duniya ka sabse iconic destination bana sakte hain." (Nothing can sustain without profit. But if your vision and my expertise combine, we can make Crescent Bay the world's most iconic destination.)

Her words had piqued their interest, but it was her relentless pursuit that began to sway them. She spent hours crafting detailed proposals, from eco-friendly architecture plans to luxury experience outlines that blended local culture with global trends. She even reached out to renowned chefs and designers to pitch collaborative ideas, each one tailored to Crescent Bay's unique identity.

There were days when Mahak had barely slept, pouring over market research and architectural designs, seeking the perfect balance of innovation and tradition. Her assistants would tiptoe around her office, wary of disturbing her intense focus.

"Yeh project tumhare liye personal hai, hai na?" her mother, Anabia, had asked one evening when Mahak visited her after a particularly grueling day. (This project is personal for you, isn't it?)

"Zyada," Mahak had admitted, sipping her chai. "Crescent Bay meri identity ban sakta hai. Log hamesha kahenge ke Usman empire ki sabse badi deal maine ki thi." (Very. Crescent Bay can become my identity. People will always say the biggest deal of the Usman empire was done by me.)

"Lekin beta, identity sirf deals se nahi banti. Tumhare kaam ka legacy hai jo tumhare naam ko amar karega," Anabia had replied gently. (But dear, identity isn't just built on deals. It's the legacy of your work that will make your name immortal.)

Anabia's words had stayed with her, pushing her to view Crescent Bay not just as a deal but as a legacy project-a chance to leave her own mark.

Convincing the Khans had been a delicate dance of strategy and sincerity. Mahak had attended every event they hosted, sent thoughtful gifts that reflected their personalities, and even learned about their family's history to incorporate those elements into her pitch.

When the Khans finally agreed to her terms, Mahak had felt an overwhelming sense of victory. It wasn't just a win for her-it was a testament to her determination and vision.

So when she saw the email accusing Faris of meeting with the Crescent Bay representatives, her world tilted.

Mahak paced the length of her office, her mind racing.

"This can't be real," she muttered to herself, pulling out her phone. She dialed Ilyas's number, but it went straight to voicemail. Her heart pounded as she considered her next move.

Her gaze flicked to the living room, where Faris was lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone. He looked up when she approached, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

"Humein baat karni hai," she said, her tone clipped. (We need to talk.)

Faris set his phone down, his brow furrowed. "Kya hua?" (What happened?)

"Crescent Bay ke representatives se tum mile?" she demanded, crossing her arms. (Did you meet with the Crescent Bay representatives?)

Faris blinked, caught off guard. "Haan, kuch din pehle. Kyun?" (Yeah, a few days ago. Why?)

Her jaw tightened. "Aur mujhe batane ki zarurat nahi samjhi?" (And you didn't think it was necessary to tell me?)

Faris stood, his expression shifting from confusion to concern. "Mahak, calm down. Maine unse sirf ek informal meeting ki thi. Koi deal finalize nahi kiya." (Mahak, calm down. I just had an informal meeting with them. No deal was finalized.)

"Tumhe lagta hai yeh mere liye chhoti baat hai?" she snapped. "Crescent Bay meri months ki mehnat hai, mera sab kuch." (Do you think this is a small matter for me? Crescent Bay is months of my hard work, my everything.)

Faris sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Mahak, mujhe pata hai yeh tumhare liye kitna important hai." (Mahak, I know how important this is to you.)

"Phir kyun? Kyun tumne mujhe undermine karne ki koshish ki?" she demanded, her voice rising. (Then why? Why did you try to undermine me?)

Faris stepped closer, his voice firm but calm. "Main tumhe undermine nahi kar raha hoon, Mahak. Tumhare liye kaam kar raha hoon." (I'm not undermining you, Mahak. I'm working for you.)

Her eyes narrowed. "Kya matlab?" (What do you mean?)

Faris took out his phone and opened his notes, scrolling to a document titled Crescent Bay Expansion Ideas. He handed it to her without a word.

Mahak scanned the screen, her eyes widening as she realized what she was reading. It wasn't a rival plan-it was a continuation of her vision. Faris had added ideas for expanding the resort's eco-friendly focus, creating year-round appeal with winter activities, and using local artisans to enhance the cultural appeal.

"Maine socha ke agar Crescent Bay tumhare liye itna important hai, toh mujhe tumhari help karni chahiye," Faris said softly. "Main sirf ek partner banne ki koshish kar raha tha, Mahak." (I thought that if Crescent Bay was so important to you, I should help you. I was just trying to be a partner, Mahak.)

Her throat tightened as she looked up at him. "Tumne yeh sab mere liye kiya?" (You did all this for me?)

Faris shrugged, his smile faint. "Mujhe laga tumhare smile ka ek aur note add karne ka time aa gaya tha." (I thought it was time to add another note about your smile.)

Mahak let out a shaky laugh, her anger melting into something warmer. For the first time, she realized that Faris wasn't just a rival or a husband-he was someone who truly wanted to see her succeed.

"Faris," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "Main..." (I...)

But he shook his head, cutting her off gently. "Kuch mat kaho. Bas Crescent Bay ko apna bana lo." (Don't say anything. Just make Crescent Bay yours.)

And in that moment, Mahak knew that she already had everything she needed to make it happen.