The hospital's flat felt like a cage. Naina's eyes narrowed on Maya, her voice trembling between pain and fury.
"Why did you slap Kavya? Why did you call her our sister?"
Maya's silence was louder than words. She looked away, her jaw tightening.
"She's not our sister," she snapped finally, her tone sharp enough to cut.
Naina's heart clenched. The lies, the secrets, the distance-it was too much.
"Then tell me the truth, Maya! Why are you hiding her from me?"
But Maya only folded her arms, her anger shielding her guilt. The tension burst into a heated argument until Aisha's trembling voice cut through the storm.
"Please... stop fighting. Both of you."
Naina's chest heaved with hurt. She turned, slamming the door to her room, her mind spinning: Why are Mother and Maya hiding Kavya from me? What are they afraid I'll find out?
Maya sat on the couch, her eyes stinging. Regret washed over her, but so did bitterness. "Because of Kavya... everything is falling apart," she whispered. Aisha stood frozen, torn between the two sisters, as Maya forced a smile and said, "Let's just sleep."
The next morning, Naina's room was empty. She had already left for the hospital without a word.
Maya's heart sank as she heard it from the secretary. Mother's voice on the phone echoed firmly in her ears: "Take care of Naina. Don't fail her again."
Determined, Maya rushed to the hospital.
In the VVIP ward, Naina was bent over Sahil Malhotra's chart, her voice calm, professional. A video call from home lit up her screen-her children's laughter filling the sterile room. She smiled softly, unaware of the storm brewing behind her.
Manik had just walked in. His gaze locked not on Sahil, but on Naina.
And then-two junior doctors standing outside dared to steal glances at her.
Manik's jaw clenched. His glare was cold, dangerous. No one looks at my wife. The juniors dropped their eyes instantly, hearts pounding.
When Naina turned, she froze. Manik's eyes were still stormy with jealousy, though he said nothing. Confused, she turned back to Sahil, pretending not to notice.
At the hospital gates, Maya bumped straight into Kabir. He grabbed her hand.
"Stop ignoring me, Maya. I'm your husband."
Her voice was low but trembling. "Did you know Kavya is my sister?"
Kabir's silence lasted too long before he finally said, "Yes. I wanted to tell you... but I never found the right time."
Maya pulled her hand free, disappointment stinging sharper than his words. Without another glance, she walked away-leaving Kabir standing with guilt in his eyes.
When Naina reached Sahil's ward, Maya's voice called from behind.
"Maya?" Naina whispered, shocked.
Maya softened. "About yesterday... I was wrong. Let's have lunch together. Mother asked me to take care of you."
But Naina's cold eyes betrayed her doubt. She wanted to forgive, yet couldn't forget.
Kavya appeared too, hesitantly stepping forward-but Maya turned her face away, her silence louder than rejection.
From across the hall, Kabir and his brothers watched, the tension thick between them.
Maya asked for Naina's cabin and walked off, leaving Naina standing there, torn between duty and betrayal.
Her secretary leaned close, whispering, "Why don't you tell her the truth?"
Naina's eyes softened with sorrow. "Because if I were in her place... I'd react the same."
She walked into Sahil's room, while outside the hall
Kavya's heart broke.
Kabir's chest ached with guilt.
Manik's jealousy burned.
And Arjun searched the crowd, his eyes desperate for Aisha.