Chapter 25: 25. it was never my home!

As I entered the living room, the familiar creak of the door announced my presence. The conversation halted abruptly, and their gazes turned toward me like a cold wind. My father, mother, brother, and sister-in-law scrutinized me with a mixture of disdain and expectation.

Their faces contorted into scowls as if my very presence was an affront. My mother’s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with malice, "What did you bring for us, Mayura? Money, gifts, jewelry?"

I met their gaze with an emotionless mask, my voice flat and detached. "I didn't bring anything. Why would I?"

Silence followed, heavy and suffocating. Their eyes bore into me, their disapproval was almost tangible. My brother snorted, his wife whispering something in his ear, their eyes never leaving mine.

My father's face turned crimson with anger, his voice booming through the room. "You ungrateful girl! After all we've done for you, this is how you repay us?"

I didn't bother to reply. Instead, I turned and headed toward my old room, the anklets on my feet echoing through the silence.

As I opened the door, I wasn't surprised by the sight that greeted me. My room had been converted into a storage space, cluttered with boxes and trunks. My belongings were scattered, my memories relegated to a small, dusty corner. I sighed deeply, a pang of sadness piercing through the numbness I had built around my heart.

I began packing my things, carefully collecting my books, childhood photos, and the few mementos I had kept. The photo of my grandmother, the one person who had always loved and supported me, was the last thing I packed. Zipping up my bag, I felt a profound sense of detachment from the place I once called home.

Sitting on the bed, my eyes fixed on the clock, I counted the minutes until Abhimaan would arrive. The thought of him brought a sense of comfort, a warm light in the cold darkness of this house. I knew soon I would be in his arms, far away from the toxicity that plagued my family's home.

I spent the whole day in my room . No one came to check upon me and that's not anything new for me here.

As I descended the stairs, the growling of my stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten all day. But when I reached the bottom, their voices halted me in my tracks.

"You're leaving again, I see," my mother sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "Always running away, just like you did your whole life."

My brother’s laughter was a cruel sound. "Yeah, you're so unwanted that even your husband doesn’t want you around."

Their words stung, but I refused to let them see how much it hurt. I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the pain.

"You’re a disgrace to our family, Mayura," my father added, his voice cold and cutting. "You’ve always been a disappointment."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I had expected this, but it didn’t make it any easier. I reminded myself that soon, I would be leaving all of this behind. Abhimaan would be here soon, and I would be free.

But then, my father’s words cut through the air like a knife. "So, you’re waiting for him? Ha! He just married you for the business deal, Mayura. You’re nothing but a pawn in his game to expand his empire."

My mother’s voice was filled with venom as she added, "Yes, dear, you’re just a means to an end. He doesn’t love you; he loves the profit you’ll bring him."

My brother snickered again. "Yeah, you’re just a business deal, sis. He’ll leave you as soon as the contract is fulfilled."

Their words were like a slap in the face, but I tried to remain calm. I had suspected something like this, but hearing them say it out loud was another matter.

"you all knew , and You just let me walk into this trap, unaware," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

My father shrugged, a cruel smile on his lips. "You were always so naive, Mayura. We knew you’d never suspect a thing."

Anger surged within me, but I forced myself to keep my cool. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

"Well, I may have been naive, but I’m not stupid," I replied, my voice firm. "I’ll make sure to have a say in this ‘business deal’ too."

My mother sneered, "You think you have a choice? You’re just a wife, Mayura. You’ll do as you’re told."

I smiled coldly. "We’ll see about that."

Suddenly, my brother, who had left the room earlier, returned with a group of his friends. Their eyes roved over me with undisguised lechery, and their smirks were full of malicious intent. My heart pounded in my chest, but I refused to show fear. I had spent my whole life cowering in the face of their cruelty, but not anymore. I was done being their victim.

One of the men stepped forward, his eyes filled with a disgusting gleam. "Well, well, look who we have here. The princess has returned."

Another one chuckled darkly. "Too bad she didn’t bring any gifts for us."

My brother grinned. "Maybe she can entertain us another way."

My blood ran cold as I realized what they were implying. I looked at my parents, hoping for some intervention, but they stood back, their expressions cold and indifferent. My mother’s face twisted with disgust, as if I was the one at fault. They weren’t going to stop this. They were going to let it happen.

I felt a surge of anger, stronger than anything I had ever felt before.

"Don’t you dare touch me," I hissed, my eyes blazing with defiance. "I am Mrs. Mayura Abhimaan Deep Shekhawat now .you know go ahead . I dare you to touch me . "

My brother’s grin faltered, his eyes narrowing. "You think that name means anything here? You’re just a woman, Mayura. A woman who doesn’t know her place."

His words were like a match to dry kindling, igniting the fire inside me. "I know exactly where my place is," I retorted, my voice steady and strong. "And it’s not here, being bullied by a bunch of cowards who can’t stand the fact that I’ve risen above them."

The room fell silent, the air thick with tension. My brother’s friends shifted uncomfortably, clearly not expecting me to fight back. But my brother wasn’t done. His face twisted with rage, and he lunged at me, his hand raised to strike.

But I was ready this time. I ducked, avoiding his blow, and shoved him back with all the strength I could muster. He stumbled, his eyes wide with shock.

"Don’t ever try that again," I warned, my voice was low and dangerous. "I’m not the weak little girl you used to push around. I’m stronger now, and I won’t hesitate to defend myself."

Just as the words left my mouth, I heard the sound of the front door being thrown open. I turned to see Abhimaan standing there, his eyes dark with fury. The room seemed to shrink under the weight of his presence, his powerful aura filling every corner.

I couldn’t wait any longer. The clock had barely struck 8 PM, but my patience had worn thin. I grabbed my keys and headed out, my mind consumed with thoughts of Mayura. I needed to see her, to reassure myself that she was okay.

As I pulled up to her house, something felt off. The air was thick with tension, and I could hear raised voices coming from inside. My heart pounded with anxiety as I approached the door, my hand clenched into a fist. I didn’t knock—I couldn’t wait that long. I threw the door open and stepped inside, and what I saw made my blood boil with rage.

Mayura stood in the middle of the room, her face flushed with anger, while a group of men leered at her. Her brother, that worthless excuse of a man, had just raised his hand to strike her. I saw red.

Before I knew it, I was across the room, my hand grasping his wrist in an iron grip. He tried to pull away, but I held him fast, my eyes boring into his with a look that promised pain if he didn’t back down.

"You are addressing her , my wife, Mrs. Abhimaan Deep Shekhawat," I said, my voice low and menacing. "Any disrespect toward her will be considered a personal affront to me."

The room fell silent, the men cowering under the intensity of my gaze. I turned to the other men, who had quickly realized their mistake. Their eyes were wide with fear, their bravado evaporating in the face of my fury.

"You will treat her with the respect and dignity she deserves," I continued, my voice cold and unwavering. "Any further insolence will result in consequences you will not enjoy."

The fear in their eyes was palpable. Even Mayura’s parents, who had stood by and watched this horror unfold, were now pale and trembling. They realized, too late, that their daughter was no longer the weak girl they could manipulate and abuse. She was a Shekhawat now, and with that name came

Power and courage but moreover she found this power and strength in her as she always had it in her she Just needed someone to introduce it to her . Thank you to My family  . My maa who always loved her like her own daughter and my father who always taught her how to fight through their chess game . The fun dio6 always made her challenge herself with new challenges every time . She needed this little push and I was her support system who would always stand behind her no matter what.