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Third pov :

At the grand Sudharshan Mansion, Ajay sat on the plush leather couch,  His fists clenched tightly, and his mind replayed the embarrassing failure of his plan to eliminate Rudhran. He had thought hiring those three goons would be enough to get the job done, but they had come back battered and bruised, having received a royal thrashing from Rudhran instead. In a fit of rage, Ajay had yelled at them and warned them to stay out of Chennai for a while, too furious to tolerate their incompetence.

Next to him, Reena perched on the armrest of the couch, her soft hands caressing his arm in an attempt to soothe him. Her eyes brimmed with concern, and her voice was honeyed as she whispered, "baby, don't worry about this. You'll handle it. You're smarter and stronger than Rudhran. I believe in you."

 She hung onto his every word, always ready to support him, no matter how dark his plans were. She saw only the version of him she wanted to see—a man she believed was her perfect match.

But for Ajay, her devotion and her father's influence were tools he used to further his own ambitions. He leaned into her affection with a calculated charm, giving her just enough hope to keep her loyal.

Sudharshan observed the pair from a distance with a satisfied smile. He deeply admired Ajay's ambition and cunning, believing his nephew would one day rise to great power. It was Sudharshan's dream to see his daughter married to Ajay, and he truly believed Ajay reciprocated Reena's feelings.

Sudharshan walked over to where Ajay was seated, Placing a hand on Ajay's shoulder, he spoke "Don't worry, Ajay. One way or another, we'll make Rudhran pay. We'll stay low for now and strike when the time is right. Remember, you're greater than him, and that's why he's trying to bring you down."

Ajay nodded, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Yes, Mama. Let him talk all he wants. I'll make him regret every word soon enough. He won't know what hit him."

Sudharshan's eyes flicked toward his daughter, Reena, a silent message passing between them. "Reena, take care of him, da."

Reena's lips curved into a knowing smirk. Sliding closer to Ajay, she gently took his hand in hers. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll make sure he forgets all about Rudhran's nonsense," she said, Her gaze lingered on Ajay with a mixture of devotion and obsession, her entire world revolving around him.

Suddenly, the front doors burst open, and Yamuna made her grand entrance, her presence commanding attention as always. she stood in the doorway with a dramatic flair.

"Ajay Khanna!" she called out, her sharp voice echoing through the room. "Why haven't you been coming home, da?  You're staying here, with your uncle and Reena, while I'm stuck in that house," she continued,"Those people irritate me, da! Why should you leave? You belong there—what's so great about staying here?" Her voice softened just slightly, her eyes searching his face for answers

Ajay's jaw clenched at her words, but he said nothing, his expression turning cold. He couldn't bring himself to set foot in their home ever since Rudhran and Coimbatore family arrived. Watching their happiness, their confidence—it all made his blood boil. He didn't want to face them, didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing him unsettled.

"I've been busy, Ma," Ajay replied curtly, though the truth was far simpler—he couldn't stand the thought of being anywhere near Rudhran's smug face.

Sudharshan chimed in, with an ulterior motive. "Ajay, you should go back. If you don't, Rudhran might think you're afraid of him. And we can't have that, can we?"

Ajay's eyes narrowed, his pride pricked. "Fine," his voice cold. "I'll go back. But not because of him. I'll go when I'm ready to make my presence known."