Chapter 27

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The silence in the mansion was louder than any scream.

Dinner was served, but untouched.

Lights glowed softly in the hallways, but the warmth was missing.

Abhimaan sat on the couch, elbows on his knees, fingers threaded in his hair. His phone lay beside him, blinking with unread messages—but none from the one person he desperately wanted to hear from.

Sanaya.

Upstairs, Sanaya lay on her bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling as if it held the answers to her heart's turmoil. Her pillow was damp, though no one saw her cry.

Not even him.

Her thoughts were a cyclone—fast, loud, confusing.

He loved me. Even back then.

Then why did he act so cold for so many months?

Why did he let her think she was just the replacement?

Her eyes closed tightly, as if shutting her mind could shut off her pain.

---

Flashback — few hours ago

Arohi had walked away from the mansion after Abhimaan's warning. But not before leaving a final smirk toward Sanaya and a whisper in her ear—

"He might say he loved you, but you were always second choice, little sister."

It wasn't the words. It was the venom in them.

And that was what broke her.

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Present — 11:47 PM

Sanaya sat up. Her throat was dry, her heart heavier than before.

She slowly stepped out of their room. The hallway was empty, and faint light glowed from the living room downstairs.

Her feet moved on their own.

Each step echoed in the silence.

When she reached the railing above the living room, she saw him.

Abhimaan. Sitting. Still awake. Still waiting.

He looked up—and their eyes locked.

She froze.

He stood up slowly, almost unsure. Like approaching a wild animal that might run or strike.

"lavender…" His voice was hoarse.

She didn't speak. Just looked.

So he did.

"I wanted to tell you," he began, stepping closer. "So many times. But I was scared."

She remained silent.

"I thought... maybe you'd hate me more if you knew the truth. That I loved you... even when I was marrying your sister."

Sanaya's lips finally moved. "And you thought hiding it was better?"

His breath caught. Her voice was soft—but filled with quiet pain.

"I didn't want to force that truth on you," he said. "You didn't choose this marriage, Sanaya. I did. For both of us."

"But you also decided to love me in silence," she whispered. "You let me believe I meant nothing."

He took a step forward. "You mean everything."

"Then why did you never say it?" Her voice cracked. "You married me and pushed me away every single day. You protected me… yes. But what about loving me?"

He stood still, guilt pouring from his eyes.

"I was a coward," he admitted. "I loved you quietly because I didn't want to ruin you. You were soft, untouched by my world. I thought… if I stayed away, you'd be safe."

"But I wasn't," she said softly. "I was already hurting. And now this…"

She turned, ready to walk away.

But his hand reached out, gently grabbing her wrist.

"Don't go."

She stopped.

His voice trembled. "Please… let me fix this."

She turned back, slowly, her eyes red.

"How will you fix the distance, Abhimaan?" Her voice broke. "How will you undo the nights I felt unwanted? The moments I thought you regretted marrying me?"

His grip loosened. She pulled her hand back.

And in the most broken voice he'd ever heard, she whispered, "Main tumse pyaar karne lagi thi… bina jaane ki tum kabhi mujhe chaha bhi ya nahi."

His heart shattered.

"You what?" he asked, eyes wide.

But she shook her head, taking a step back. "It doesn't matter anymore."

And then, she left.

Again.

---

Later that night — 2:07 AM

Abhimaan stood outside their door.

He raised his hand to knock.

Paused.

Lowered it.

He stood there for several minutes.

Thinking.

Then, finally, he turned and walked back to his study room

For the first time in years, sleep refused to come.

---

Next Morning

Sanaya didn't come down for breakfast.

Pihu knocked twice but got no response.

Abhimaan didn't ask—he couldn't. Not yet.

He sat at the dining table, untouched toast on his plate.

Viraj leaned over, whispering to Abhiraj, "Lagta hai koi nuclear bomb phat gaya hai upar. Bhaiya looks like he hasn't slept, and Bhabhi is MIA."

Abhiraj gave him a warning glare, but didn't deny it.

Pihu asked softly, "Should I take breakfast to your room?"

"No," Abhimaan said quietly. "Let her rest."

Abhiraj looked at his brother. "You messed up, didn't you?"

Abhimaan didn't answer.

Because he knew.

---

Midday — Office

Sanaya sat quietly in her cubicle. Her mind wasn't in the spreadsheets.

Not in the emails.

Only in his eyes.

She thought of how broken he looked when she walked away last night.

But was that enough?

Did his past love justify her present pain?

Veer walked over, casually leaning on her desk.

"Hey. You okay?"

Sanaya blinked and gave a tight smile. "Just tired."

"You sure? You look like you didn't sleep. Something happen?"

She hesitated.

Then shrugged. "Just… complicated family stuff."

He nodded in understanding. "Want a distraction? Coffee?"

Before she could answer—

"Cancel that," came a deep voice from behind.

Abhimaan.

Veer raised an eyebrow. "Possessive much?"

Abhimaan didn't respond to him. His eyes were on Sanaya. "We need to talk. In my cabin. Now."

Sanaya stood slowly, spine straight.

"I'm not your employee in personal matters, Mr. Rathore."

He flinched slightly. But said, "I'm asking. Not ordering."

Veer opened his mouth to say something smart—but Sanaya raised a hand. "It's fine."

And she walked toward Abhimaan's cabin, the glass doors closing behind them.

---

Inside the cabin

He gestured for her to sit. She remained standing.

He sighed.

"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. But I need you to hear me."

She didn't speak.

"I loved you silently because I was scared. I stayed away because I didn't think I could make you happy. You were so innocent, so untouched by everything dirty in my life. I thought I'd ruin you."

"But you ruined me anyway," she whispered.

His eyes shimmered.

"I know," he admitted. "And if I could go back… I'd choose you. Loudly. Publicly. Fully."

He stepped forward.

"No more secrets. No more guilt. I want to love you now, openly. If you let me."

Sanaya looked up, eyes wet. "But can I trust you again, Abhimaan?"

He didn't answer with words.

He took her hand gently, placed it over his heart.

"It beats for you. It always has."

For a moment… just a moment… her eyes softened.

But then she pulled back, voice soft.

"Give me time."

He nodded.

"I'll wait," he said. "For as long as you need."

End......

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