Hello everyone,

Dadu and Chachi couldn't stay silent anymore.

They looked at Himanshu with disappointment and concern.

"Himanshu," Chachi said firmly, "Avani is your wife now. Automatically she becomes Lavanya's mother too. That is how a family works."

Dadu added, voice steady but heavy, "And Lavanya needs a mother. She needs that warmth. What is wrong in that?"

But the moment they said "mother", something in Himanshu snapped.

He stood up, anger rising like fire.

"It's the only thing I don't want forced on my daughter!" he shouted.

The whole room froze.

He clenched his fists. "If-if she becomes comfortable on her own, if Lavanya decides to call her mother... then fine. I won't stop her."

His voice cracked slightly, though he tried to hide it.

"But for her... for my daughter..." he took a shaky breath, "I want her mama. I want Aaravi as her mama. Her first mama. Her biological mother."

His voice became lower, rougher.

Everyone's heart tightened.

"I don't want Lavanya to ever know that her real mother is not with her anymore... and that someone else has become her new mother. I don't want her to feel replaced. I don't want her to think I replaced her biological mom."

His anger made his words sharper, harsher than he intended.

He didn't even realize what he was saying anymore - he was drowning in his own emotions.

Hurt. Fear. Confusion. Grief.

All mixing into raw anger.

Avani stood silently, her eyes burning, her throat tightening with pain she couldn't express.

Himanshu's breaths were uneven now, and his face had turned red with all the emotions he never wanted to show.

After a long, stunned silence...

One by one, every family member looked at him - shocked, disappointed, pained.

No one supported him this time.

No one said a single word in his defence.

Because everyone knew...

He hadn't just hurt Avani.

He had hurt Lavanya too.

And he had spoken things that were buried deep - things he never even accepted himself.

Aavni's Pov:

After listening to his harsh sentences "I want her mama. I want Aaravi as her mama. Her first mama. Her biological mother."

I had tears stream down my face he didn't respect others everyone went from their. He too went give me one last look which was dangerous. I broke down my knees went numb I sat down on floor while crying.

Why?

Why.. why me God?

What I have done to deserve this?

Little step approached me it was her Lavanya she came near me wiped my tears with her tiny mini hands I immediately hugged her.

She was soothing my back and said don't cry beautiful aunty you won't look beautiful if you'll cry like this.

I .. baby I am not crying she I told her while rubbing my eyes.

Rudransh watched entire scene and then left for his work.

She sat beside me and ask me to join her to play games.

"Beautiful aunty, come and see my room. How is it?" she asked excitedly.

"You know, aunty, Dadda made this wallpaper for me by himself," she added proudly, showing me the walls. I stood stunned, my breath hitching at the sheer beauty of the painting. It wasn't just art - it carried love, patience, and devotion in every stroke.

"Baby, can I ask you something?" I said softly.

She nodded cutely, lifting her little face and staring at me with her innocent doe-like eyes.

"So baby... how much do you love your Dadda?" I asked.

She stretched both her tiny hands wide and said, "This much."

Suddenly, we heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," Lavanya said.

Rekha entered the room, and Lavanya immediately said, "Dadi, you don't need to knock on the door, understood?"

"Yes, my boss lady," Rekha replied with a smile.

"Lavu, bacche, I want to tell you something," Rekha began.

"Yes, Dadi? What is it?" Lavanya asked curiously.

Rekha ji gently held Avni's arm and made her stand beside her. Then she turned to Lavanya and said softly,

"See, bacche, what I am going to tell you - you will listen first and then react, okay?"

Lavanya nodded.

"So, Lavu... this is not your beautiful aunty," Rekha said, her voice steady but emotional.

"She is your... Mumma."

Lavanya repeated the word slowly, her mouth falling open in shock.

"Mumma...?"

"Yes, bacche," she said softly.

"Aunty, please... can you stop? If... if he gets to know about this, he will be angry," Avni said hesitantly.

"Stop, Avni. What are you saying?" Maa asked gently. "You know why you are here, right?"

I nodded.

"Then why are you defending him?" she questioned, her eyes searching mine.

Avni spoke, "Aa... actually-"

She cupped my cheeks tenderly and said, "I know him very well, beta. Stop listening to him. He says whatever comes to his mind when he's angry. I know he is upset with you."

Then, holding my hands firmly, she continued,

"Beta, I want only one thing from you - that you never let my Lavu feel that she doesn't have her biological mother with her. I never want her to think anything like that."

She completed her words with a heavy pause, her eyes glistening.

I grew emotional because I had gone through the same phase of life - a time when there was no one to share my thoughts with, no one to lean on.

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Lavanya's scream.

Maa and I both turned to look at her. She was sitting on the floor, happily playing with her watercolours.

She had painted herself in different colours, her face, hands, and even her hair smeared messily.

Maa and I burst out laughing at her innocence and the way she had coloured herself, filling the room with warmth and light.

Himanshu's POV

I left for my company in anger and went straight to my cabin.

How could everyone take her side? How could they even think of defending her?

That woman has already taken Aaravi's place - and now they all want her to become my daughter's Mumma.

I won't let that happen.

Never.

She will hurt Lavanya. I know it. I won't allow anyone to break my child's heart again.

She is here only for my money - that's what I believe. I know this type of woman and her mindset. I have seen it before. Sweet words, fake concern, and hidden intentions.

No matter what anyone says, I will not trust her.

Not when my daughter's happiness is at stake.

After finishing my work and attending a few client meetings, I finally drove back home, exhaustion weighing heavy on my mind.

As I entered the house, there was no one around. The lights were off, and an eerie silence filled the space.

I went straight to Lavanya's room.

Just as I was about to open the door, I heard that woman's voice from inside. I stopped. Something inside me urged me to watch her actions first.

She was sitting beside Lavanya, gently feeding her dinner.

Suddenly, Lavanya started coughing.

I rushed to her instantly. The moment she saw me, her eyes lit up, though she was still coughing badly. Her face had turned red.

I pulled her into my arms.

"My baby..." I whispered, panic flooding me.

Then I turned toward her - anger blazing in my eyes.

"What have you fed her, huh?" I shouted. "Why is she coughing?"

I grabbed her arms, shaking her in rage.

"Why are you trying to hurt her?" I yelled.

I..I was making her eat. She said

Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks - but at that moment, it didn't bother me.

One by one, every family member gathered in Lavanya's room, drawn by the chaos and my raised voice.

The air grew heavy.

And somewhere deep inside, a storm was just beginning.

"Enough."

Maa's firm voice cut through the tension.

I froze as she moved forward and gently took Lavanya from my arms. She patted her back slowly, rubbing small circles the way only a mother knows.

Lavanya coughed once more - then slowly, her breathing steadied.

Maa looked up at me, disappointment clear in her eyes.

"She didn't feed her anything wrong," Maa said quietly. "The food just went down the wrong pipe. Bacche often cough like this while eating."

Aavni beta is this the problem right?

She nodded.

I stiffened.

Sh..She was laughing while eating, Aavni continued. "I told her not to, but she didn't listen. That's all." she said it in one go.

Lavanya clutched her dadi's saree and said softly, her voice still weak,

"Dadda... I was talking... that's why."

My gaze shifted to her.

She was standing there silently, her eyes red, tears still clinging to her lashes. Her hands trembled slightly, yet she said nothing - not a single word in her defense.

Maa turned to me again, her voice breaking just a little.

"You accused her without knowing the truth, Himanshu."

The room fell silent.

And for the first time that night, the anger inside me wavered - replaced by something far more uncomfortable.

Doubt.

Guilt.

And the unsettling realization that I might have been wrong.

Chapter kaisa hai?