‘Even that was a blessing for an unwanted filth like you, but you’re too stuck up to see it,’ Kartik scoffed.
He clenched his jaw as he studied the father he’d revered all his life, but all he saw now was a tiny, shallow man whose ego was as fragile as his humanity. ‘You know, for a long time, Idefended you thinking you’re harsh, maybe even cold, but never evil. Until I found the buried trail of hush money you gave to the people who were poisoned by the highly reactive but cheap metal you approved to cut costs.’
‘And then,’ Dhruv continued, his voice cracking under the weight of his colossal pain, ‘I found the truth about my mother.’
Even though Siya knew this confrontation was coming, she couldn’t help how her heart stuttered watching her brother stand up to his abuser.
Dhruv said, ‘You had an affair with my mother when she was only twenty. When she couldn’t take care of me, she brought me to your doorstep but you turned your back on us. She had to leave me at the orphanage because she didn’t have the financial means to raise me on her own.’
Kartik defended himself proudly, ‘But I did take pity on you and come back for you.’
Dhruv was shaking his head before Kartik finished. ‘The only reason you came back for me wasn’t because you took pity on me. It was because your father-in-law had put in a male heir condition to inherit the company to stop you. That clause was about to ruin your chances of becoming a billionaire, and I was your last resort. You came to get me for what I could do for you, not because you were worried about your son.’
Siya had watched Dhruv break down two nights ago when he’d dug up the old orphanage records and found his mother’s statement for why she had to leave him there. The safe illusion he’d built for himself lay shattered around him and he’d bit down on his knuckles as he’d cried.
She’d felt so helpless. All she could do was sit beside him as a silent companion. She knew then that nothing between him and Kartik could ever be the same.
Kartik had gone pale, and everyone witnessed his composure unravelling in real time. With it came uncontrollable rage, and he raised his hand to slap Dhruv. Before Siya could move forward to shield her brother, Dhruv pushed Kartik away from him with all his might. Kartik stumbled backward and hit his back hard on the wall.
Dhruv yelled, almost a growl. ‘Don’t you dare! You don’t get to harm me or my sisters anymore. If I have to testify against you, I will, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.’
‘How could you push your father?’ Kartik asked, rubbing a hand over his heart. Siya rolled her eyes, well aware of his emotional time-old tactic.
So was Dhruv. He said, ‘After everything I’ve learned about you in the past few weeks, it has burned away whatever loyalty I had toward you.’
Kartik looked between Dhruv and Siya and it dawned on him that no one was buying his poor father act. His expression immediately turned cold. ‘You think you can destroy me? Both of you are nothing without me.’
‘You want to say that again,sasurji?’ Abhay asked, mockery evident in his tone.
‘You underestimate my power and influence,’ Kartik taunted.
‘And you underestimate my madness when it comes to making sure my wife is safe from the likes of you,’ Abhay retorted back.
Enough was enough. Siya spoke up, ‘If you want to start listing offenses, then let’s begin with how you used the designs I own without my consent for years. If I take you to court, you’ll owe me damages in the millions for backdated licensing fees, intellectual property violations, and breach of fiduciary duty to the board. You think you’re smart, so I assume you do know what happens to someone in your position when that kind of truth gets out.’
Kartik was stunned into silence. It was clear that he was finally realising he was out of his depth with no lifeboat around.
Siya said, ‘You’ve lost the right to abuse the Kashyap name anymore because it doesn’t belong to you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start again. Maybe this time, you can build something real—or let this moment bury you in resentment. That’s your choice.’
‘And you think this is some kind of a stupid, self-serving payback from you?’
‘No, Dad. This is karma.’ With that, she turned away from him.
She held Abhay’s hand, tugging him out of the room, but stopped at the door. ‘Are you coming?’ she asked, tilting her head toward Dhruv.
He gave her a faint, tired smile and said, ‘Let’s go.’
Siya walked out, leaving behind the power her father had on her crumbled in dust.
They found their group still hanging out by the stage. Everyone hollered as they approached.
‘That was a kickass launch, Di,’ her sister said, jumping into Siya’s arms. She held on to her tight, relieved that she’d finally done right by Kashvi.
‘So now Abhay is your best friend, huh?’ Meera pouted at Siya.
‘Aw,’ Siya cooed and pulled her into a tight hug.
Abhay said from behind her, ‘Oh c’mon, no one can compete with you, Mihu. I’m just glad to have the second spot.’
