“But it was Mishti and her love that made me trust again. In God. In love. In the fact that nothing happens without a reason.”
Daksh’s jaw tightened, his bitterness spilling out before he could stop it.
“She may have changed you,” he snapped, “but she destroyed my world.”
“No,” Karan replied firmly. “She didn’t.”
He took a step closer. “In fact, she saved it.”
Daksh stared at him, stunned by the conviction in his tone.
“Despite all the hatred and indifference you kept throwing at her,” Karan went on, “she still did the best she could for you. So that you and your family would never have to suffer.”
Daksh glared at him, his anger colliding with confusion. Divya, who stood a little behind him, had already understood what Karan was leading toward. Her face had gone pale.
Karan let the silence stretch before he spoke again.
“This land,” he said slowly, “the one on which you’ve started this new business…This small factory, you are so proud of. Who do you think this land belongs to?”
Daksh frowned.
“My wife,” he said without hesitation. “It’s my wife’s inheritance.”
Karan shook his head once, firmly.
“No,” he said. “It’s Mishti’s.”
Daksh froze.
“Yes. It’s Mishti’s mother who had left it for her, and which Mishti transferred to Divya’s name before leaving for London,” Karan continued, “because she knew you would never accept it otherwise.”
Shocked, Daksh turned toward Divya as if searching for denial, for something that would prove Karan wrong.
But this time, Divya couldn’t hide it anymore.
“He’s right,” she said, stepping forward. “Mishti gave me this land. She had met me once before leaving and asked me not to tell you. She knew you would refuse it if you ever found out, Daksh. I denied accepting it, but you know how selfless Mishti is. She was guilty that you suffered losses and ruin. You made her feel guilty. And she couldn’t take that blame forever. So, this was her way of helping you, helping us rebuild.”
Daksh staggered back a step, as if the ground beneath him had shifted.
Divya moved closer to him, resting her hand over his chest.
“She always protected you, Daksh. Always. Even when it should have been you doing that for her.”
She swallowed hard before continuing.
“Even when she was preparing to leave Karan and disappear from her own life, she didn’t think about how she would survive. She still gave away everything that was hers. Everything. So that you, me, and our baby would be safe.”
Her tears finally spilt.
“She gave it to us because she loves you. No matter how hard you’ve always been on her. She has always been the best sister. Always waiting for you to look at her just once and accept that she belongs to this family. To you.”
Daksh’s eyes burned. Tears gathered despite his resistance.
Karan exhaled slowly, nodding as Divya finished.
“Mishti doesn’t know I’m here,” he said. “And I know she won’t like it when she finds out I told you the truth.”
He met Daksh’s eyes, looking painfully honest.
