Hearing his father's words, Shubham was left utterly stunned.
He had tried many times to understand, but until now he never knew—why his family treated Raya in such a strange and hostile manner.
Shubham was the youngest in the family.
He had always stayed away from family matters. During his teenage years, he was sent abroad for his studies. That was why he knew nothing about all this.
Mr. Raghuvendra asked him sternly,
"What are you doing here so late at night?"
Shubham replied,
"I woke up to drink some water. I saw a fire burning here, so I came to check… to see what was going on."
Mr. Raghuvendra said in a harsh tone,
"You've seen enough. Now leave."
Shubham nodded and started walking away.
As he did, his gaze fell on Ridhima, who was standing on the balcony of her room, watching Raya's belongings burn—her face completely emotionless.
Shubham thought to himself,
"Ridhima must know why Dad and Big Uncle behave like this. I should ask her."
He hurried to Ridhima's room.
The door was locked from inside.
Knocking, Shubham said,
"Ridhima, please open the door. I need to talk to you about something important."
Hearing his voice, Ridhima's eyebrows knitted together.
She hadn't locked the door.
She walked inside from the balcony. The room was plunged in darkness.
Turning on the lights, she muttered to herself,
"I didn't turn the lights off… then how did they go out?"
As the lights came on, the room lit up.
Her eyes fell on the bed.
A man in a blue safari suit was lying there, resting his elbow casually, the same man who had tried to molest Raya before the wedding.
Ridhima's expression changed instantly. Angrily, she said,
"Brijesh, what are you doing here at this hour?"
The man stood up, smiling.
"My love, you know very well why I come to you at times like this."
Ridhima was about to respond when Shubham's voice came again from outside.
"Ridhima, I am waiting. Why is it taking you so long to open the door?"
A crease appeared on Ridhima's forehead. She didn't want Shubham to see Brijesh in her room.
She looked at Brijesh anxiously, But he was gone.
She scanned the room.
Nowhere to be seen.
Suddenly, a low voice whispered right behind her,
"Baby… are you looking for me so desperately?"
Ridhima's back stiffened.
Brijesh was standing right behind her. She could feel his hot breath on her neck.
Panicking, she whispered,
"Please, go to the bathroom. If Shubham sees you here, we'll both be in trouble."
A crooked smile appeared on Brijesh's lips.
Her fear clearly amused him.
Pulling her into his arms, he said,
"The problem won't be mine. It'll be yours. Now you decide how to get out of it. I came here for something else."
Ridhima clenched her fists.
Brijesh's hands roamed shamelessly over her body. Every touch reflected his filthy intentions.
Her body began to tremble.
Shubham's voice echoed again from outside.
"Ridhima, is everything alright? Can you hear me?"
Gathering all her strength, Ridhima replied,
"I… I was taking a shower. That's why I couldn't hear you. Why are you here so late?"
Shubham found her answer strange. He had seen her on the balcony just moments ago.
Thinking to himself, he said,
"I wanted to talk to you about something. Are you done with your shower?"
Inside the room, Ridhima was barely holding herself together.
Brijesh was touching her even more aggressively.
Closing her eyes tightly, she said,
"I haven't finished yet. I came to get clothes, it'll take time. It's very late. We'll talk tomorrow."
"Alright," Shubham replied, leaving reluctantly.
Ridhima let out a breath of relief, but it didn't last long.
Suddenly, Brijesh turned her around. His eyes were filled with lust.
Caressing her cheek with his thumb, he said,
"You know… seeing that hatred in your eyes for me, does it hurt me?"
She didn't respond, only stared at him with pure disgust.
Laughing, he answered himself,
"Not at all. In fact, it gives me peace. Such peace that I can't even put it into words."
Fear slowly crept into Ridhima's eyes.
Seeing this, Brijesh burst into loud, animalistic laughter.
Trying to steady herself, she said,
"Brijesh, not today… I'm tired."
His laughter froze instantly.
Suddenly, he grabbed her hair violently and growled,
"You'll say no to me? You know what the consequences are, don't you?"
Ridhima cried out in pain.
He tightened his grip.
"Tell me first… will you ever say no to me again?"
Tears filled her eyes. Trembling, she said,
"No… I won't. Never…"
He released her hair.
That disgusting smile returned.
Fixing her hair, he said calmly,
"Good. Now take off your clothes."
Helplessly, Ridhima closed her eyes.
"I don't like delays or drama," he whispered. "Hurry up."
When she opened her eyes again, her face was completely blank.
Silently, one by one, she removed her clothes.
Brijesh watched her with satisfaction.
After some time, he took out his phone and began recording her.
Ridhima said nothing.
She stood there naked, lifeless, like a doll in front of a man twice her age.
It felt as if she was used to all of this.
Next Morning
Raghuvanshi Palace
Raya was sleeping peacefully on the king-sized bed in Tashyam's room.
Sunlight filtered through the white lace curtains and fell gently on her face.
In Delhi's mild winter, the warmth of the sun felt comforting.
Raya slowly opened her eyes. Her face glowed.
After two days, she had finally slept well.
Stretching, she sat up.
The room was empty.
She glanced at the balcony, then walked into the bathroom.
Tashyam and Shaurya were seated at the dining table.
Shaurya had returned to the villa the previous night, the one located right beside the palace.
He had come back in the morning for breakfast… or rather, with the intention of keeping Raya away from Tashyam.
Shaurya stared at his brother, who was busy with his phone.
Irritated, he asked,
"Bro, why aren't we eating?"
Tashyam replied flatly,
"Wait for Raya."
Shaurya's eyes narrowed.
Never before had he seen Tashyam wait for someone like this.
"What's wrong with you, Tashyam?" Shaurya snapped.
"What kind of spell did that girl cast on you in just one night? First, you gave her your room and slept elsewhere. And now you're wasting your precious time waiting for her."
He leaned forward, voice sharp.
"This isn't you. Get a grip. You are Tashyam Raghuvanshi."
Tashyam didn't respond.
Being ignored only fueled Shaurya's irritation. He was about to say more when the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the dining area.
Shaurya turned.
Raya was walking toward them.
She looked stunning in a one-piece, turtle-neck floral dress.
Shaurya blinked once, then glanced at Tashyam, who was staring only at her.
So that's why he's changed, Shaurya thought.
Anyone would lose their head with a wife this beautiful.
His expression hardened.
But I won't let my brother fall into this illusion of beauty. I'll expose her true face, no matter what.
Fixing his gaze on Raya again, Shaurya silently vowed.
He was convinced, she was nothing but a pretender.
Raya stopped in front of them and asked calmly,
"I didn't make you wait too long, did I?"
Under his breath, Shaurya muttered,
"A witch's signature line…"
Raya looked at him, confused, but said nothing.
Gesturing toward the chair beside him, Tashyam said,
"No, Sit."
Raya pulled the chair out and took her seat.
Shaurya noticed the distance between himself and Tashyam.
Without hesitation, he stood up and moved to the chair beside Tashyam from the other side, placing himself directly across from Raya.
Looking at Tashyam, Raya asked softly,
"Did you put me on the bed last night?"
Shaurya's attention sharpened instantly.
Adjusting the paper napkin around his neck, Tashyam replied calmly,
"Yes, Cold air was coming in from the balcony. If you had slept there all night, you would've fallen sick."
"Thank you," Raya said.
Tashyam only nodded.
The staff arrived and began serving breakfast.
As Tashyam picked up his fork and spoon, his gaze lingered on Raya while she adjusted the napkin around her neck.
Though Raya had grown up away from her family, her manners carried the effortless grace and elegance of someone born into wealth.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Tashyam asked.
"Yes," Raya replied. "Your bed is very soft. I slept well."
Shaurya listened to every word like a gossip-hungry spectator.
Tashyam's gentle tone toward Raya irritated him.
From under the table, Shaurya nudged Tashyam with his foot.
Tashyam shot him a cold glance, while Shaurya signaled something silently with his eyes.