Aavni's Pov:

I was sitting on his bed, wrapped in a heavy lehenga, my hands trembling slightly. The door creaked open, and the moment I saw him walking toward me, I quickly lowered my face under the veil - his Dadi had insisted I keep it on until he arrived.

He stopped right in front of me. Even without seeing his face, I could feel the authority in his presence. Then his stern voice broke the silence.

"Remove this veil from your face."

My heart skipped. I quickly lifted the veil, and for the first time, I saw him clearly in the soft moonlight filtering through the window. His jaw was sharp, his expression unreadable - but it was those green eyes, intense and cold, that held me frozen. They pulled me in without mercy, and I didn't even realize I was staring until he spoke again, sharper this time.

"Stop staring at me. And get up from my bed."

"I-I..." My voice cracked as I stumbled to my feet, almost tripping over my lehenga. Before I could steady myself, his hand shot out, gripping my arm tightly. My breath caught.

"You know why you're here, right?" he asked, his voice low but dangerous.

"Y-Yes... yes, I know," I whispered.

He leaned closer, his grip unrelenting.

"Good. Then don't expect anything from me. And remember this - if you ever hurt my daughter, even by mistake, I won't let you live peacefully."

His words cut sharper than any weapon, leaving me speechless, standing in moonlight and fear.

His grip loosened, but his eyes stayed fixed on mine - cold, unreadable, almost warning me to breathe carefully. Then, in that same harsh voice, he added,

"Listen carefully. Don't touch my stuff, don't interfere in my office work - basically, don't try to act like my wife."

My heart tightened, but he didn't stop.

"I have only one wife. And I will never consider you as one. So stay away from me."

Those last words felt like they were delivered straight to my chest. Without waiting for my response, he turned away and walked toward the bathroom. I watched him disappear behind the door, the sound of it closing echoing louder than it should have.

But my mind stayed frozen in the same moment -

he wouldn't consider me his wife.

I was here only for Lavanya. Just a responsibility. A necessity.

Still... somewhere buried deep inside, a small part of me wished - hoped - that maybe someday, I might receive a little love from him. Even though he made it clear he wasn't willing to give any.

Feeling suddenly exhausted, I removed my heavy jewellery one piece at a time, each sound of metal hitting the table making the room feel even emptier. My lehenga felt heavier than before as I moved to the sofa. I didn't even have the strength to change.

Curling up on the narrow cushions, I pulled my dupatta around me and closed my eyes.

And like that, I fell asleep on the sofa - not as his wife, not as anything special... just as someone trying not to break.

Himanshu's Pov:

I had said those harsh words only because I wanted her to know her place — that she was here only for Lavanya. But the moment I saw fear flicker in her eyes, something twisted in my chest. I kept it buried, refusing to acknowledge it. Fear was what I wanted… right?

When I entered the room later, she was already asleep on the sofa, still wearing her lehenga. She looked uncomfortable but peaceful, and for a moment I wondered why she didn’t at least change. I shook the thought away and went straight to bed without bothering much.

Around 4 a.m., I woke up. Like every day, the first thing I did was check on Lavanya. She was sleeping soundly, curled up with her little cushion beside her, her tiny hand resting on it like she was protecting it. A small smile tugged at my lips before I pulled myself away and headed to my home gym.

After finishing my morning routine and the usual chaos, I returned to my room. She was still there on the sofa, asleep comfortably — while somehow ruining my peace at the same time. I ignored the strange feeling her presence gave me and got ready in my office wear.

Before leaving, I went to wake my princess.

“Princess… love… wake up,” I whispered softly.

She slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them with her tiny fists. “Good morning, dadda,” she mumbled sleepily.

“Good morning, princess.” She leaned forward and gave me a soft kiss on my cheek — the best start to my morning. “So tell me, what does my princess want to do today?”

“Ahh… dadda, I want you to give me warm bath… and then you’ll give me chocolates,” she said, nodding cutely like it was a deal already sealed.

“Chocolate, huh? Let me think…” I pretended to frown.

Immediately, she made a cute little pout, her eyes wide and pleading. “Please dadda… please…”

I sighed dramatically. “Okay, okay… you’ll get it.”

She squealed softly and hugged me tightly, wrapping her tiny arms around my neck.

I picked her up and took her for her warm bath, her giggles echoing through the room as the sleepiness faded from her eyes.

Aavni's Pov:

I woke up with a jerk, my heart pounding for a second before I realized he wasn’t in the room. The space felt strangely empty without his presence. I quickly unpacked my bag and arranged my things, trying not to overthink anything. After finishing my morning routine, I wore a simple kurti set — the most comfortable thing I had.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

For a moment I frowned. Why is he knocking? It’s his room. He can just come in.

But when I opened the door, it wasn’t him — it was my mother-in-law.

She looked at me from head to toe, her eyes scanning every inch of me. I felt a little nervous, wondering what she was thinking. Then she smiled softly and held out a saree.

“This is for you, beta,” she said gently. “You are a newlywed, so you should wear a saree, not a dress.” She cupped my cheek with such warmth that my chest loosened for the first time since I arrived here.

“Okay,” I nodded quickly, comforted by her kindness.

She sighed softly as if choosing her words. “I know this is difficult for you… and I know my son as well. He will accept you, give him a little time. For now, I’m going downstairs. Get ready and come — it’s your first rasoi ritual today.” She smiled again before leaving.

Once she left, I looked at the saree in my hands. It was beautiful — simple yet elegant, exactly the kind of thing that felt like me. I draped it carefully, just the way Granny had taught me.

Then, with trembling fingers, I put a light stroke of sindoor on my hairline.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the room and walked downstairs, my heart racing nervously for what awaited me next.

Here is your scene, corrected, polished, emotionally deepened, and made a little longer while keeping your exact tone and story flow:

I reached downstairs and saw everyone gathered for breakfast — everyone except him. For some reason, my eyes searched for him first, but I quickly looked away.

His mother came to me with a warm smile and gently held my hand, guiding me toward the kitchen.

“Do you know cooking, beta?” she asked.

“Yes, Aunty… I mean, yes, I know,” I replied politely.

She raised her eyebrows. “Why are you calling me ‘Aunty’? Am I your Aunty?”

I blinked, confused. I didn’t understand what she meant.

She cupped my cheek again. “From now onwards, don’t call me Aunty. What will you call me then?”

I asked softly, “Then… what should I call you?”

“Maa,” she said with a proud, loving smile. “As everyone in this house does. You are not my daughter-in-law… you are my daughter from today.”

Something warm spread inside my chest. No one had spoken to me like that in so long. She gave me instructions to make kheer, saying it was Lavanya’s favorite.

While preparing it, my mind wandered. I want to meet that child properly… what all she must have suffered? But I pushed the thought aside and focused on the kheer.

I finished cooking and filled bowls for everyone. Taking a deep breath, I carried the tray outside.

Rudransh — my devar — immediately started cheering, “Bhabhi! Our new chef is here!” His energy made me smile.

As I stepped further into the hall, I saw him coming downstairs with Lavanya in his arms. Her big eyes were fixed on me… staring like she was trying to understand who I was.

He took his seat, and Lavanya sat beside him, still looking at me.

I served the kheer one by one — Dadaji, Dadiji, his uncle, aunty, Maa, his father — and lastly Rudransh, who grinned ear to ear.

Then Maa looked at me and said, “Serve Himanshu also.”

My heartbeat skipped, but I quietly placed the bowl in front of him. He didn’t even acknowledge it. Not a look. Not a word. Like I wasn’t even there.

Before the hurt could settle, a small voice interrupted.

“Dadda… why you didn’t tell me?” Lavanya said, looking at her kheer excitedly.

She turned her big eyes to me. “Why won’t you give me? Only them?”

I immediately smiled. “No, baccha, it’s not like that. This one is specially for you.” I placed her bowl in front of her.

She picked the spoon and took one bite.

“Umm… hmm… sooo tasty!” she said loudly, kicking her little legs. “Just like par Dadi makes!”

Everyone laughed softly, and I couldn’t stop my smile. Seeing her enjoy something I made… it felt unexpectedly nice.

As everyone enjoyed their kheer, I finally reached her — my little Lavanya.

She was staring at the bowl in front of her father, then at the one in Rudransh’s hand, then back at me… her eyes wide and questioning.

She tugged gently at Himanshu’s sleeve before turning toward me.

“Beautiful Aunty… won’t you give me?” she asked in her tiny, sweet voice.

For a moment my heart melted completely.

Beautiful… Aunty… Her innocence felt like a warm hug.

I knelt beside her and smiled softly.

“No, baccha, it’s not like that. How can I forget you? This one is specially for you.”

Her face lit up immediately as I placed the bowl in front of her.

She took one big spoonful and her eyes sparkled.

“Umm hmm… sooo tasty! Just like par Dadi makes!” she said with her little happy dance, feet kicking under the table.

Everyone around smiled at her excitement, and I felt something warm and unfamiliar spread through me… like I finally belonged somewhere.

Lavanya was happily eating her kheer when Maa suddenly said lovingly, loud enough for the whole table to hear:

“Beta, she is your Mumma, not Beautiful Aunty.”

The spoon paused midway in my hand. My breath caught.

Lavanya looked confused for a second, while everyone else lifted their eyes toward us.

Before I could react, Himanshu’s voice cut through the moment sharply.

“Mom, please… can you stop it?”

His tone was irritated, almost harsh. The entire dining room tensed.

Maa’s face fell slightly, but she didn’t back down. “Himanshu, what is wrong in it, haan? She is your wife… and Lavanya’s mother too.”

Dadi nodded in agreement. “I told you earlier too. This girl is a blessing for our house.”

Himanshu clenched his jaw. “I have spoken about this earlier too. Don’t force—”

But before he could complete, Omkar ji — his father — raised his voice for the first time since morning.

“Enough, Himanshu.” His tone was deep and firm. “You know very well why I decided this marriage with Avni. Don’t forget your responsibilities.”

The entire table fell into a heavy silence.

Himanshu’s eyes flashed with anger… or something he was trying to hide.

Lavanya looked up at everyone, confused and a little scared.

Before Dadu could speak again, I swallowed hard and stepped forward.

“Rudransh,” I said softly but urgently, “please take Lavanya from here.”

Rudransh immediately understood. He picked her up gently.

“Come princess, let’s go to the garden. I’ll show you Ravi bhaiya’s dog,” he said cheerfully.

Lavanya hugged his neck, still looking back at me with her big questioning eyes.

She didn’t know why the room suddenly felt heavy.

She didn’t know why everyone was arguing about me.

And I… I didn’t want her to see any of it.

As soon as she left the room, the tension between the adults only grew deeper — and the storm waiting inside Himanshu’s eyes was now directed entirely at me.