Veins of Power, Threads of Fate

The truth has a way of crawling out of even the deepest shadows - not with a whisper, but with a storm.

It came for Naina like that.

She stood frozen in her parents' living room, clutching her phone, her fingers trembling as the last of the voice recordings played - recordings Abhishek had found during an investigation into Raghav's growing influence in illegal arms supply.

Raghav's voice.

Manipulating her.

Mocking Ekta.

Laughing about how easy it had been to separate the two closest friends.

He had used her. Twisted her love. Poisoned her against the one person who had stood by her through everything - Ekta.

"Your friend? That weak professor? She's broken. You'll see. I'm doing you a favour, Naina. People like her never belong in our world."

Regret Like Fire

Naina dropped to her knees, sobs wracking her body.

Her mother called out, but her words blurred into the pounding in her ears.

She had believed Raghav.

Over Ekta.

Over her sister in every way but blood.

She had walked away when Ekta warned her.

She had repeated Dev's harsh words to her without knowing the truth.

She had betrayed the girl who once held her through every panic attack.

Now, all that was left was shame.

Abhishek's Fury

When Abhishek Rajput found out about Raghav's manipulation, he didn't waste a second.

As a mafia heir and a man who once vowed to protect his little sister, he ordered Raghav's immediate arrest.

There was no mercy.

"You touched the wrong family, Raghav," Abhishek hissed as his men dragged Raghav away in handcuffs. "You broke the trust of the one woman who never hurt anyone. You destroyed my sister's peace - and for that, you'll pay."

Raghav laughed bitterly, "That broken girl? She's still stuck in her past."

But the punch Abhishek threw shut him up instantly.

"That broken girl is stronger than you'll ever be."

Naina at Ekta's Door

For the first time in a year, Naina stood outside Ekta's small home.

The sound of a child laughing inside tightened her chest.

She had missed it all.

Ekta's pregnancy.

Her suffering.

Her son.

Her strength.

Naina knocked, hands trembling.

Ekta opened the door - older, calmer, and with tired but sharp eyes.

They stared at each other.

Naina collapsed at her feet.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Ekta... I believed him. I thought you were overreacting. I should've known you... I should've believed you."

Ekta didn't move.

She knelt and picked Naina up gently.

"Some mistakes are too big for sorry, Naina," she said quietly. "But I never wanted revenge. Just peace."

Naina cried harder.

She had hurt her sister in every possible way.

Ekta's Quiet Strength

Later that night, Naina sat holding little Adrit in her lap, tears still fresh.

Ekta stood near the window, her gaze distant.

She hadn't forgiven Naina - not yet. But she didn't hate her either.

She didn't have space for hate anymore.

"Raghav's gone," Naina whispered. "Abhishek got him arrested."

Ekta nodded.

"Then that chapter is over."

What Lies Ahead

The pain hadn't vanished, but with the truth out, there was space - space to breathe, space to heal.

And somewhere in that space, a broken friendship quietly began to mend.

Not with promises, but with presence.