No proofread.

Anjali sat down sulking as she watched everyone praise Shashi and Payal for their unique sweets, beverages, snacks, teas and coffees.

It's like she no longer existed to her family and even more shocking to her was the gift Arnav gave to Payal as an encouragement gift since he came back from his meeting  two days ago.

Payal was now the talk of the entire family, from her hardworking to her change for better, it's was like Payal had replaced her.

Manohar and Nani were now like her uncle and grandmother respectively and Akash was like a hawk protecting her from Mami and her and a love sick puppy to Payal.

This annoyed not only Anjali but Shyam, Mami and Dadi.

Shyam didn't like the attention Payal was getting as all because he wanted that on his wife and on top of it all his goons have not been able to locate Aditi and the agent who introduced him to Aditi.

Their time in RM was running out and Nani and her son made sure to remind them all the time which was extremely embarrassing.

To top all his problems, his firm has let him go citing he was a liability after he had a physical alteration with one of he colleagues who mocked him for being kicked out by his in laws and he couldn't do anything about it.

Dadi who knew the identity of Payal was pissed seeing an illegitimate child getting all the love and attention of the family whilst her legitimate granddaughter has been shunned by everyone.

She wanted to expose Payal's identity but seeing her being loved by everyone especially after she had been a silent culprit in the abuse of Khushi and yet they all including Khushi was fawning over Payal scared Dadi because she knew there was a possibility Arnav might not blame her and will think of her as a victim of circumstances.

Payal unknown of her real identity already had the family wrapped around her finger.

Dadi decided against this and let it go as she knew she will be the one taking the heat if Arnav accept Payal and she will be a villain for hiding the truth.

She vowed to keep quiet until she had stolen enough to live on her own with her son who has also disappeared.

Dadi wasn't worried as it was the habit of Anant to disappear for days before showing up.

Mami on the other hand was angry not getting the opportunity to approach Payal.

It's either she left to the cafe with Akash and Nani or she is always surrounded by Shashi or her husband who for some reason stopped traveling and was now working remotely from home.

To her is was as if everyone was intentionally protecting Payal as of she was an egg.

Even Khushi has became more opened to Payal in the last forty two hours and has joined Payal's protection square with the new members being Aman, Arnav and surprisingly Preeto.

Now there were here at the cafe official opening and the presence of Arnav had attracted all the socialites, models, celebs and some businesses partners of Arnav and Khushi and their employees.

The opening was successfully beyond their wildest imagine and Shashi together with Payal wouldn't stop their tears of happiness.

Orders were pouring in to a extent that they had to give out a notice to stop the intake of orders temporarily.

Arnav and Khushi where standing away from the crowd as they didn't want anyone to see them together until they were ready a announce their marital status.

Arnav inparticular wanted this to be done after he properly weds Khushi.

"Am sorry for leaving the way I did that day? "

Khushi glared at him and he chuckled as he knew she told him she understood and should stop beating himself over it.

"Bring this thing up again and I will divorce you. " Khushi threatened and Arnav laughed and pecked her lips.

She wrapped her arms around Arnav's torso and he wrapped his around her waist as they watched with smiles on their faces seeing Payal thanking everyone.

"I thought she was faking her change but now I know she is being real and am happy for her. " Khushi exclaimed sincerely as Arnav kissed the top of her head.

"Me too....... She has come a long way from Garima's manipulations and now she is happy....... She will only be happy being the daughter of Shashi Gupta and I will let it stay like that........ The only relationship we will ever have is as in laws....... I know she will never be the same if she finds out the truth that's why I decided not to reveal the truth about her identity....... I will be the big brother protecting her in silence and supporting her all the way as her brother in law. " Arnav uttered and stared at Khushi who was smiling with pride and adoration in her eyes for him which made him smile.

Khushi tiptoed in her heels and kissed his cheek.

"Am so proud of you. " She said lovingly as Arnav smiled and hugged her.

"Awww........ I hate romance but you two make we want it so much. "

Arnav and Khushi burst out laughing as they parted and turned to Preeto who had the most adoring expression on her face and Aman was staring at her like a lovesick puppy.

"Don't worry baby...... I will soon give you romance. "

The smile of Preeto's face dropped as she glared at a poor Aman who scratched his head wondering what he said wrong.

"Am not interested. "

"What the!........ What do you mean you are not interested?...... I like you Preeto and I know you do too so why am I not qualified to be the one to give you romance? " Aman asked angrily as Arshi chuckled at his slow Aman was at not seeing that Preeto was messing with him and Preeto on the other hand was enjoying messing with him.

"I have to explore all my options...... Maa just had six proposals and she accepted and wants me to chose and not only are they rich and handsome. " Aman was raging hearing Preeto praise other men and was pissed at Preeto's mother . "They are intelligent enough to know when am pulling their leg. "

Arshi burst out laughing seeing Aman's eyes widened in shock with his jaw hanging as Preeto shook her head and punched Aman's shoulder immediately turning to Khushi afterwards.

"I doubt these men's comprehension ability. " Preeto uttered glaring in between Arnav and Aman.

"Hey count me out of that equation...... Aman is the one to be pointed at. " Arnav defended as Aman scratched his head embarrassed.

"Anyways Maa wants to met you...... I told her about you and she wants to met the poor man who had been chosen by her demon daughter, that's my mum's words. "

Arshi chuckled hearing this as Aman beamed and nodded.

"And speaking of the devil, she is here. " Preeto exclaimed not so pleased and Aman followed her gaze to find a middle aged woman in a pink saree hugging Payal. "Come on let's go. "

Preeto dragged Aman away leaving the couple alone.

"Preeto doesn't seem pleased by her mother's presence...... Did they fight? " Arnav asked and Khushi shook her head no.

"Miss Sinha is a very thorough woman....... She asked a lot of intrusive questions to people who surround us especially boys...... She did that way back from our school days and because of that, we barely had boys are friends and even some girls didn't want to be our friends..... The boys were just friends so imagine what she will do with a Aman who is interested in Preeto. "

Arnav chuckled hearing her explanation and stare at Aman who looked nervous.

"Poor Aman, he is very brave but see the way he is sweating and all nervous around Miss Sinha....... He better make a good impression on Miss Sinha or he can kiss Preeto good bye. "

"Stop it Arnav, he is trying. " Khushi scolded Arnav who was laughing at how awkward Aman was with Preeto's mother who unfortunately was not too welcoming.

She didn't shake Aman's hands when he offered it and had a poker face on.

Khushi knew it was an act and Arnav suspected because of how Preeto's was snickering behind Shashi.

"Oh hell no. " Khushi exclaimed angrily staring at the message she had just received.

"Baby what is it? " Arnav asked concerned.

"Happyji just texted saying Garima was here and was causing a scene because the guards won't let her in. " Khushi explained and Arnav looked pissed as she knew he presence here will stir drama.

She and buaji were warned not to step a foot here and it seems Buaji obeyed but she didn't.

"Let me handle her. "

"No dear..... Let me...... You go to the family and take care off them....... I have been meaning to face that witch for a long time and it's now time. "

Arnav was sceptical at first but he trusted his queen and nodded giving her a forehead kiss and watched as she disappeared to the entrance.

He joined the family to make sure everyone was okay and handled questions about Khushi's absence.

"Let's go off me.... How dare you?
........ Do you know who I am....... I am the mother in law of ASR and soon to be mother in law Akash Singh Raizada...... You will pay dearly for this. " Garima yelled as she was dragged into a a storage room.

The guards pushed her in and locked the door, stood behind it and guarded it as if there was a precious gem in there.

"How dare you show your face here? " Khushi yelled angrily making Garima flinch as she turned to find an angry Khushi with her arms folded.

Garima cowered and moved backwards until her back hit the door as Khushi took predatory steps towards her.

For the first time, Garima saw a fierce side of Khushi which reminded her of her adopted sister and her brother in law.

"I warned you and Buaji not to step a foot here and yet you showed up....... I will teach you a lesson you will never forget....... I will make sure babuji divorces you and you know well my powers and Arnav's, you won't get a dime after marriage because I will also make sure you are kicked out of the house together with Buaji. "

Garima burst out laughing which took Khushi aback as she stared at her confused.

"Poor Khushi, you think Shashi will ever divorce me. " Garima laughed as she moved away from the door and Khushi turned to face her looking pissed. "If Shashi divorces me, he would lose Payal...... It was deal we made and he will never give up Payal even if she is not her biological child. "

Khushi's eyes widened in shocking hearing Shashi's knows about Payal not being his.

"He found out about her not being his when Payal was ten and you were eight...... I threatened to take Payal away when he threatened to divorce and expose me for cheating on him....... Poor man was on his knees begging not to take his precious Payal away from him. " Garima mocked laughing as Khushi stood stunned by all of this. "We made a deal, he will keep my infidelity a secret in a exchange for not only keeping our marriage but also he wanted Payal to be known as his....... To tell you the truth I never really loved Payal....... She was my golden ticket out of poverty and a tool to keep Shashi under my control...... So go ahead and ask him to divorce me and see his reply......... I know you love Payal too much to cause her pain with this revelation........ Dare you make Shashi mention divorce and I will reveal the truth to Payal........ She will not only break down but seeing her in pain will break Shashi's heart...... I doubt you want that for your beloved babuji. "

Garima smirked seeing Khushi cornered by her revelation.

"How much do you want to leave us alone? " Khushi asked defeated and Garima smirked victorious.

"I want a house in Dubai and a monthly allowance of two lahks." khushi glared at her. "Don't look at me like that, your textile company alone makes that and much more in profits every hour....... It's the least I deserve for keeping this secret and divorcing Shashi and also going away forever. "

Garima smirked thinking she hit the jackpot but she was in for a surprise when Khushi started laughing hysterically as she held her stomach.

"My dear aunt...... I already know about you and Arvind Malik. "

Garima's legs betrayed her and she fell to the floor in shock hearing the name of Arvind.

Khushi moved closer to her and kneeled with an evil smirk gracing her lips which made Garima shudder in fear.

"I know not only about your secret meeting with Anjali to destroy me, I know you were also in RM and heard your encounter with Sudhadra Malik and do you also know who knows about you and this secret, Arnav. "

Garima felt suffocated hearing this and she became petrified.

"Arnav knows Payal is his half sister and he doesn't hold it against her because she is innocent in your filthy games...... We also know the whole truth about his parents and what happened to you........ You and Arvind Malik are two disgusting people including Ratna Malik...... Your actions proves that you were a gold digger using Arvind Malik and when it didn't succeed due to their conspiracy against the two of you, you befriended my papa to trap him but Devi Maiya saved him from you when he fell in love with maa and you have hated my parents since then....... You also hated me because I was the symbol of their love for each other....... Babuji loved you and always showed his love for you by buying you expensive gifts and becoming your slave but not once did you love him...... You used your own flesh and blood to blackmail him. " Khushi was by now crying remembering the happy face of Shashi with Payal. "I won't let you destroy our happiness....... I know babuji will keep this secret to his grave and to the world, Payal is a Gupta not a Malik and it will stay that way forever....... But I need to get rid of you and Sudhadra Malik, the only people who are capable of revealing the truth but I will start with you. "

Khushi turned and picked up a stick making Garima scared.

She stood up and took a run for the door but Khushi hit her on the head and she fell to the floor unconscious.

She kneeled and checked her pulse and found out she was still alive.

She called out to her guards and instructed them on what to do with her.

Khushi walked out of the storage room and walked towards the family as of she didn't just commit a crime.

Arnav stared at Khushi and he knew something was wrong but composed himself as this wasn't the right place to find out what was boring her.

RM.
Midnight.
Arnav's Study.

Arnav, Aman and Preeto were shocked by what Khushi had just told them.

They had arrived from the success of the party only for Khushi to drag them to the study with an excuse about business.

"I have asked the guards to hold her hostage until we decide what to do with her. " Khushi revealed.

"My friend you did good....... I just wish I was there so that I can claw that witch's face....... She is evil not even sparing her own flesh and blood....... I can barely stand my period cramps left alone labor pains....... She is a devil and O wish nothing but the worst for her. " Preeto exclaimed in an angry tone as Aman rubbed her back to calm her down.

"We have to get rid of Sudhadra Malik too if this secret is to be buried. " they all nodded until they heard a thud from behind the library in Arnav's office.

They all became alert and prayed for it to be HP or any of this brothers as they posed no threat because they were extremely loyal.

Slowly a tall shadow emerged and Arnav, Khushi and Aman were all shocked seeing a least person they would have suspected holding a book but Preeto looked on confused as to who the person was.

"Nk? " The trio exclaimed in shock

To be continued.

Precap: The gangs plan to dispose off Mami, Anjali and Shyam.

Next update will be on Sunday due to my busy schedule.

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