Meanwhile, in the College Canteen…
Aishwarya sat in the canteen, poking at her food with zero appetite. Her eyes were fixed on the table, but her mind replayed every second of the morning — Kiara Shetty marching up, separating her from Yuvaan, holding his hand, claiming him.
"Keep your distance… he's my husband…"
Kiara's voice echoed in her head like a taunt.
Aishwarya's nostrils flared. Her fingers curled around her fork so tightly it almost snapped.
"That Kiara Shetty," she hissed under her breath. "Just because she married him, she thinks she owns him."
Her lips twisted into a cold smirk.
"No, darling. Yuvaan only belongs to one person. Me."
She leaned back in her chair, fury simmering beneath her confident exterior, her eyes glinting with brewing malice.
"I'll remove you from his life," Aishwarya whispered, each word dipped in poison. "Completely. Permanently. Whatever it takes."
A slow, wicked smile spread across her face.
"Enjoy your victory while it lasts, Kiara Shetty…
Because this time, I'm not losing Yuvaan Pratap Singh."
Next scene:
Anya folded her arms dramatically.
"So tomorrow night… you confess your love."
Kiara jerked her head up. "Tomorrow NIGHT? Confess WHAT? To WHOM?"
Anya rolled her eyes. "Don't act smart. To Yuvaan, obviously."
Kiara blinked rapidly. "Hold on, hold on—tomorrow NIGHT?"
"Yes," Anya said, grinning. "At the Valentine's party."
Kiara stared at her. "Valentine's what? We're having a Valentine's party?"
Anya nodded. "Yep. Announcement was made earlier today, literally before you stepped foot on campus. I was going to tell you but then—bam!—you started dropping supernatural bombs like you were narrating a thriller series."
Kiara put her hand on her forehead dramatically.
"A Valentine's party? As in… people dancing… red lights… cheesy decorations… couples stuff?"
"Yes!" Anya said excitedly. "The perfect setting to confess."
Kiara dropped her hand and gave Anya a flat look.
"Have you met me? I don't confess. I threaten. I sass. I argue. I run from monsters. I don't do mushy stuff."
Anya smirked. "You also love your warlock husband. So tomorrow, you're going to look drop-dead gorgeous and tell him."
Kiara's mind spun for a moment.
"What if he makes fun of me? You know how he is. He'll say something like, 'Oh wifey, you're finally obsessed with me.'"
Anya snorted. "And? He'll still melt. Everyone can see it—he's into you like crazy."
Kiara crossed her arms.
"I'll think about it."
"Good. Thinking about it means yes," Anya said smugly.
Meanwhile, far above them on the rooftop, Yuvaan sat with one leg crossed, a sly smirk forming as the wind ruffled his hair.
"So… a confession tomorrow night, hmm? Valentine's party just got far more entertaining."
Later that evening, the Shetty mansion gleamed in warm gold, its marble floors reflecting the chandelier lights as if the whole house glowed. Modern, luxurious, elegant — the kind of home where everything had a quiet sophistication.
Kiara stood in the center of the living room, still wearing her flowery gown with the fitted jacket, her hair slightly tousled from the chaos of the day. Vikram and Varun looked up the moment she stepped in, sensing the seriousness in her posture.
"I've made a decision," Kiara said softly, but firmly. "I'm giving… us — Yuvaan and me — a second chance."
Varun immediately stiffened on the couch, disbelief flickering in his eyes. "Kiara, no. Think again. You know what he is—what danger follows him. You're—"
Kiara raised her hand gently. "I know, Varun. I know exactly what Yuvaan is. And I know everything I'm walking into. But I also know he has never once let danger touch me when he was there. Not once."
Varun still looked unconvinced, pacing a few steps across the glossy marble. "Just because he saves you doesn't mean he's right for you. That whole world—his world—is built on darkness."
Before he could spiral further, Vikram stood, his presence instantly grounding the room.
"Let her finish," he said quietly.
Kiara exhaled and continued, "I'm scared. I won't lie. But something between us is real. And if I run from it just because I'm afraid, I'll regret it forever. I just… want to try. My way."
Vikram watched her — not as a chief of the Reevavanshis, but as a father seeing his daughter choosing her own path.
"Kiara," he said at last, "it's your decision. And I won't take that away from you."
Varun turned sharply. "Dad—"
But Vikram lifted a hand, stopping him.
"But hear me, Kiara," his voice hardened like steel wrapped in velvet, "if Yuvaan ever tries to use you to gain the Dark Stronghold… if he uses you as a key to power… I will not spare him."
He didn't say it with rage.
He said it with finality.
Varun muttered under his breath, "I'll be the first to kill him."
Kiara moved toward them, placing her hand on her brother's arm. "You won't need to. I'm not blind, Varun. And I'm not stupid. I'll protect myself. I'll stay cautious. And I'll never let myself become anyone's pawn—Reevavanshi or Warlock."
Her words softened the tightness in both men, even if the worry didn't entirely leave their eyes.
Vikram placed his palm gently on her head, blessing her in the quiet, proud way only he could.
"If this is the path you choose," he said, "then we stand with you. But if he hurts you… he answers to us."
Kiara nodded, a tiny but brave smile appearing.
"Fair enough."
And in that glittering mansion, under warm lights and watchful hearts, the Shetty family silently prepared themselves — for love, for danger, and for whatever storm the Dark Lord would bring next.