Prologue

Five years.

That was how long Aditya Malhotra had lived with a memory he could never escape.

Preethi.

Even after all these years, her name still had the power to stop him for a moment.

He stood before the mirror, adjusting the cuff of his sherwani while the sounds of celebration drifted through the mansion. Tonight, his house was filled with flowers, relatives, laughter and preparations.

His wedding.

Again.

Aditya stared at his reflection.

Thirty-five. A billionaire. A father. A man who had convinced himself that his heart no longer needed anything.

Yet tonight, he was about to promise forever to another woman.

Riya.

Everyone said she was perfect for him.

Beautiful. Confident. Elegant.

The kind of woman who belonged beside a man like Aditya Malhotra.

His eyes moved toward the photograph on the table.

Preethi was smiling from behind the frame.

For a few seconds, the room seemed strangely quiet.

“I hope you’re happy,” he whispered.

A small knock interrupted him.

“Papa?”

Aditya turned.

Ayush stood at the doorway, dressed in a tiny traditional outfit, his hair neatly combed.

“Are you getting married today?”

Aditya smiled faintly.

“Yes.”

Ayush thought for a moment.

“Will she stay with us?”

Aditya's smile disappeared for a second.

“I don't know, buddy.”

The little boy walked closer and held his father's hand.

“Will she love me?”

That question hurt more than Aditya expected.

He crouched down and looked into his son's eyes.

“She will.”

He said it with certainty.

Or at least, he wanted to believe it.

Outside, the wedding music grew louder.

The guests were arriving.

The mandap was ready.

Everything was exactly where it was supposed to be.

Yet Aditya had no idea that before this day ended, everything he believed about his future would change.

And the woman who was about to enter his life...

wasn't the woman he was expecting