Veins of Power, Threads of Fate

Two years had passed since Ekta had left the opulent yet suffocating world of Dev Raghuvanshi behind. Two years of pain, strength, healing... and motherhood.

Adrit, now a chirpy and expressive three-year-old, had become her whole world. With every smile he gave her, he stitched another piece of her shattered heart. Rohan had stood by her through every storm, a silent shield and unwavering support. Their bond had grown deeper, softer - like an old melody that no longer needed words to be understood.

And somewhere in a quiet corner of the city, Dev Raghuvanshi was no longer alone either.

Not with Aarohi Singh walking beside him - calm, intelligent, with eyes that didn't judge and a soul that didn't demand. She was 28, a trauma surgeon who had saved Dev's life during a brief confrontation with a rival gang. She didn't try to fix him. She simply stayed. And for a man like Dev, that meant everything.

They weren't in a passionate whirlwind of love - but in a quiet companionship built on respect. Aarohi didn't ask about his past. Dev didn't offer it. But when he looked at her across the table with his tired eyes, she always knew how to respond - with silence, or soup, or simply a hand placed gently over his.

That winter, Dev was invited to a high-profile charity event supporting orphaned children. The Raghuvanshi name was still respected in the business world, even if whispers of his underworld ties still lingered.

Ekta hadn't expected to go - but Rohan, being one of the donors, had gently insisted. "For Adrit's future," he had said with a soft smile. "For your own courage."

Dressed in a simple yet elegant beige saree, her long hair braided with jasmine, Ekta walked in holding Adrit in her arms. Rohan walked beside her, his eyes scanning the room protectively.

The ballroom was warm with golden lights and laughter. And then she saw him.

Dev.

Standing across the hall in a black tailored suit, his expression unreadable - until his eyes found hers.

Time slowed for a moment.

And standing beside him was Aarohi - simple, poised, with a warm smile that reached her eyes. She held Dev's hand with ease, her body language unafraid and free.

Ekta's chest tightened, but it wasn't the crushing pain she'd once felt.

It was... acceptance.

Rohan leaned close and whispered, "We can leave if you want."

She shook her head slowly. "No. I'm okay."

Dev's gaze lingered. There was a flicker - of guilt, of something unsaid - but he made no move to cross the room.

And Ekta didn't expect him to. Not anymore.

Later that evening, Aarohi stepped aside to use the washroom, and Dev stood alone near the glass railing, a drink in his hand. Rohan had taken Adrit to see some sponsors, and Ekta found herself approaching Dev.

She didn't know why. Maybe for closure. Maybe for herself.

He turned as she neared, a soft breath escaping his lips.

"Ekta," he said, his voice low.

She smiled faintly. "You look well, Dev."

"So do you." His eyes drifted to the child in Rohan's arms. "Is he...?"

"Yes," she said calmly. "His name is Adrit."

Dev nodded. "I... I wasn't a good man to you."

"No," she said, not harshly. "You weren't."

There was silence between them. Heavy. Real.

"She seems nice," Ekta said, looking toward Aarohi.

"She is," he replied. "She doesn't ask for my past."

"You should hold onto that."

Dev looked at her for a long time. "Do you hate me?"

Ekta thought for a moment. "I did. Then I broke. Then I rebuilt myself. Now... I just want peace."

He gave a faint nod. "I hope you find it."

"I already have," she said, glancing toward Rohan and Adrit.

There it was - the truth, standing between them like a quiet farewell. No screaming, no accusations. Just two people who had once destroyed each other, finally setting themselves free.

Before she turned away, Dev spoke again.

"Ekta."

She looked back.

"You'll be a good mother. And... he'll grow up better without a man like me in his life."

Her eyes shimmered, but no tears fell. "Maybe. But someday, I'll tell him the truth. The full truth. You weren't all bad."

And with that, she walked away.

Back to Rohan. Back to her son. Back to a life she was finally claiming for herself.

Rohan smiled gently as she returned.

"You okay?" he asked, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

She took Adrit in her arms and nodded. "I'm more than okay. I'm free."

That night, as Dev stood beside Aarohi under the moonlight, she gently reached for his hand.

"Will you ever tell me about her?" she asked softly.

Dev exhaled. "One day. When the past feels like a lesson, not a wound."

Aarohi nodded. "Take your time. I'm not going anywhere."

And in two different homes, two different hearts found peace.

One in the quiet companionship of a woman who saw him beyond his sins.

And the other in the arms of a child and a man who loved without conditions.