Naina froze in place as Rivaan's voice echoed through the room. Her hand, raised in defense, trembled in the air before slowly lowering. Rivaan's mother smirked, satisfaction radiating from her at her son's timely intervention, while Katie stood beside her, arms crossed with a smug look of triumph.
Tears welled up in Naina's eyes as she lowered her hand. She had never wanted things to escalate like this. Her emotions had spiraled out of control, fueled by the cruel words thrown at her and, worse, at her unborn babies. The insults, the accusationsâthey had pierced through her like daggers, wounding her where it hurt most. And now, with Rivaan standing before her, his face contorted in anger, it felt like her worst nightmare had just unfolded.
âWhat is going on here?â Rivaan demanded, stepping between his mother and Naina, his eyes darting between the two women, frustration and confusion bubbling beneath the surface.
Naina remained silent, her hand instinctively resting on her swollen belly. She hadnât even had the chance to share the news about the twins. All the joy she had imagined, all the excitement she had hoped to experience with him, had been overshadowed by the venomous words spoken in her home.
Rivaan turned to his mother, his expression hardening. "Whatâs going on, Mom?"
His mother squared her shoulders, her demeanor unaffected by the rising tension. âI didnât say anything to her. I came here to meet you, but Naina wasnât happy to see us and started insulting Katie. When I told her to stop, she lost her temper and tried to hit me.â His motherâs eyes filled with fake tears, her voice shaking as she played the victim.
Naina winced at the blatant lie, tears burning in her eyes. She had endured more than anyone should have to. And now, standing in her own home, with Rivaan stuck between his family and her, it felt as though her entire world was falling apart.
Rivaan clenched his fists, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. âHow dare you, Naina? Just because youâre carrying my child doesnât give you the right to shout at my mother and try to hit her.â
Katie, who had stayed quiet until now, seized the moment. âSheâs using you, Rivaan. Canât you see that? You deserve better. Look at her belly! Does she look five months pregnant to you? Sheâs nothing but a gold digger.â
âRivaan, theyâre lying! I never said any of that,â Naina pleaded, desperation coating her words. She turned to her mother for support. "Mom, please tell him the truth!"
But her mother, without a word, went to the guest room and began packing her bags, refusing to look at her. The abandonment stung, leaving Naina feeling utterly alone.
In one last attempt, Naina reached out toward Rivaan, her voice trembling. "Please, Rivaan, let me explain."
But in his heated anger, he pushed her away. She stumbled back, her head colliding with the wall. A sharp pain shot through her, and when she reached up to touch her head, her fingers came away sticky with blood. Dazed, she looked up at Rivaan, who was still focused on comforting his mother, not even sparing her a glance.
Anamayâs attention, too, was solely on his mother. No one cared. No one believed her. And as Katie smirked in her direction, Nainaâs heart shattered completely.
Disheartened, Naina retreated to her room, feeling more isolated than ever. In this world, no one cared about her. No one believed in herânot even her own mother. Only her babies were there for her, and in that moment, they were the only reason she kept moving forward.