Bhoomi slowly steadied herself on her feet, leaning slightly on Yuvaan.
Her eyes softened as she looked at him properly—no haze, no confusion—only a mother who had finally gotten back the years stolen from her.
Yuvaan couldn't hold himself back any longer.
"Mom…" His voice cracked, and he pulled her into a tight hug.
Bhoomi's breath trembled as she wrapped her arms around him, holding him as if she feared he might disappear.
Her fingers clutched the back of his shirt, grounding herself in the reality she'd regained.
"I missed you, Yuvaan," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Every moment… every day… even when I couldn't speak, I saw you. I felt you."
Yuvaan shut his eyes, his forehead buried in her shoulder.
"I'm never losing you again. Ever."
When they finally separated, Vinod, Aakash, and Riddhi stepped forward—hesitant, ashamed.
"Bhoomi…" Vinod began, voice heavy. "We… we made terrible mistakes. For years. We treated you badly. We labelled you. We're… we're sorry."
Aakash lowered his head.
"Chachi… we didn't understand your condition. We believed lies."
Riddhi wrung her hands anxiously.
"We didn't stand up for you when we should have. Please… forgive us."
Bhoomi looked at them—really looked.
Not with anger.
Not with bitterness.
But with the calm grace of someone who had suffered and survived.
"It's over," she said softly. "The past was dark… but today is light. And forgiveness is the only way we move forward."
Their relief showed instantly.
Bhoomi turned, her limbs still delicate but her spirit bright. And her eyes landed on Kiara.
A small smile curved Bhoomi's lips—mischievous, familiar.
"So? Won't you hug your bestie?"
Kiara's eyes went wide—then she laughed, a shaky, relieved sound before hurrying forward.
"Of course I will!"
She hugged Bhoomi tightly, almost lifting her off the ground in excitement before remembering Bhoomi was still recovering.
Bhoomi led Yuvaan and Kiara to the framed photograph of Pramad, her late husband, his eyes forever frozen in a gentle smile. She placed a trembling hand over the glass.
"Look at him," Bhoomi whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Our son has grown… and he's even married now."
Kiara and Yuvaan bowed their heads in unison, pressing their foreheads against the frame, silently seeking Pramad's blessings. Bhoomi's eyes glimmered with unshed tears.
"May he guide you… and may your married life be filled with love and understanding," she murmured.
Yuvaan's lips twitched with a faint, bittersweet smile. "Mom… I'm sorry, but that's not possible," he said quietly.
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap, shocking everyone present.
Bhoomi's eyes widened. Vikram and Varun exchanged concerned glances. Kiara froze, heart racing.
Yuvaan took Kiara's hand gently and led her toward Vikram. He drew a deep breath, his voice calm but sincere.
"I need to explain everything," he began, his crimson eyes softening as they met Kiara's. "I forced you into this marriage. I used your father and brother as leverage, and I… I'm truly sorry. I did it to gain the stronghold, to fulfill my mission—but now, my mother is cured, and I no longer need it. My ambition from my previous life as Kaal… it doesn't matter anymore. In this life, my purpose was to save my mother—and that's been accomplished."
Kiara's eyes filled with surprise, but Yuvaan continued, his grip on her hand reassuring.
"I don't want to keep you in a forced relationship. You deserve a choice… a fresh start. Time to decide how you want your life to be."
He stepped back slightly, offering her space, but his eyes never left hers. Kiara's lips trembled, emotions swirling within her.
After seeking the blessings of the elders, Kiara nodded, holding back tears, and walked away with her family. Yuvaan remained standing there, a quiet weight in his chest, knowing he had finally given her freedom—and that their story could now begin anew, on her terms.
Chandrika stood quietly, her eyes softening as she watched Kiara leave with her family. She turned to Yuvaan, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Yuvaan," she said, her voice warm but firm, "I am proud of you… of how far you've come. All these years, despite the darkness that haunted you, you chose to save your mother and, in doing so, showed your heart."
Yuvaan's gaze lowered, a faint shadow of regret flickering across his features.
Chandrika continued, her tone hopeful yet tender, "I hope… I truly hope that Kiara sees this. That she gives a second chance—not just to your love, but to the man you've chosen to become. She deserves your honesty, and you deserve her trust."
Yuvaan's crimson eyes softened, and a small, almost imperceptible nod passed between mother and son. In that moment, a fragile sense of hope settled over him—an unspoken promise that the past could be left behind, and the future rebuilt, one careful step at a time.