Riya couldn't stop smiling.
She had been looking at the same thing for almost ten minutes, yet she still couldn't take her eyes away from it—the diamond ring on her finger. She slowly lifted her hand toward the sunlight coming through the bedroom window. The diamond caught the light and scattered tiny flashes across the wall.
Riya turned her hand from one side to the other, admiring it from every angle. A soft laugh escaped her lips.
“Mrs. Aditya Malhotra.”
She whispered the name to herself.
It sounded perfect. Almost too perfect to be real.
She walked toward the large mirror near the window and stood in front of her reflection. She was still wearing the elegant outfit she had chosen for the engagement ceremony. Her long hair fell over her shoulders in soft waves, and her makeup was carefully done. Her face still carried the glow of someone who had spent the entire day receiving compliments.
She looked at herself proudly.
This was the life she had dreamed about.
A luxurious mansion. Expensive cars. Designer clothes. International parties. Jewellery. A powerful husband.
And the Malhotra name.
Aditya Malhotra wasn't just a wealthy businessman. He was one of the most influential young billionaires in the city. His business empire extended across several countries, and his name appeared regularly in newspapers and business magazines.
People respected him.
People admired him.
And many people wanted to be close to him.
Now he was going to be her husband.
Riya touched the ring again.
“I really did it.”
She smiled at her reflection.
For years, Riya had worked hard to build her career as a model. She had attended auditions, walked fashion shows, appeared in advertisements and travelled for photoshoots. She had learned how to smile even when she was tired and how to remain confident even when hundreds of people were judging her.
She knew exactly how to present herself. She knew how to get attention. And she knew what kind of life she wanted.
A beautiful life.
A powerful life.
A life where she would never have to worry about money.
She looked around her bedroom. Flowers were arranged everywhere. Gift boxes were stacked on the bed, and several expensive bouquets had been sent by relatives and friends. Her phone had not stopped ringing since the engagement ceremony.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Riya smiled.
She loved every bit of it.
A soft knock came at the door.
“Riya?”
She turned toward the door.
“Come in, Mom.”
The door opened, and her mother walked inside carrying another gift box. She stopped when she saw Riya standing in front of the mirror.
“You're still looking at that ring?”
Riya laughed. “I can't help it.”
Her mother placed the box on the bed.
“You've been looking at it since the ceremony ended.”
“Because it's beautiful.”
Her mother smiled. “And because it reminds you that you're going to become Mrs. Malhotra.”
Riya's smile grew wider.
“Yes.”
Her mother walked closer and looked at the ring.
“It really is beautiful.”
“Aditya chose it himself.”
“I know.”
Riya looked at her reflection again.
“Everyone was looking at me today.”
Her mother laughed softly. “You were the bride-to-be. Of course everyone was looking at you.”
“I liked it.”
“I know you did.”
Riya turned around.
“Mom, can you believe it? In one month, I'll be living in the Malhotra mansion.”
Her mother smiled.
“You're very excited.”
“Of course I am.”
She walked toward the window.
“Do you know how many people would dream about a life like this?”
Her mother followed her.
“Money and status aren't everything, Riya.”
Riya smiled. “I know.”
“Marriage is a responsibility.”
“I know that too.”
Her mother looked at her carefully.
“You're going to become part of another family.”
Riya nodded.
“A very important family.”
Her mother sighed.
“You always think about the glamorous side of things.”
Riya laughed. “Because the glamorous side is nice.”
Her mother shook her head.
“You haven't forgotten about Ayush, have you?”
Riya's expression softened.
“No.”
“Ayush is still very young.”
“I know.”
“He lost his mother when he was little.”
Riya became quiet. She had heard the story many times. Aditya's first wife, Preethi, had died five years ago. Since then, Aditya had raised Ayush with the help of his parents and sister.
“He needs someone who genuinely cares about him,” her mother continued.
Riya nodded.
“I'll take care of him.”
“You promise?”
Riya smiled.
“I promise.”
Her mother looked relieved.
“You've met him several times. Do you like him?”
Riya smiled.
“He's cute.”
“Only cute?”
“He's sweet too.”
Her mother laughed.
“Good.”
Riya sat on the edge of the bed.
“I want him to love me.”
“He will.”
“I want Aditya's family to love me too.”
Her mother smiled.
“Then be yourself.”
Riya looked at her.
“I will.”
Her mother reached out and gently touched her daughter's cheek.
“Just don't forget that a family isn't something you can simply buy.”
Riya smiled.
“I know.”
But inside, she believed that she could handle anything. She had confidence. She had ambition. And soon, she would have the Malhotra name.
She wasn't worried.
Not even a little.
Somewhere Else in the House
While Riya enjoyed the attention surrounding her engagement, another young woman was quietly working downstairs.
Shinjani.
She was twenty-three years old. Her long dark hair was tied neatly behind her head, with a few loose strands framing her soft face. She had gentle brown eyes and a naturally warm expression.
She was slightly chubby and petite, but she rarely paid attention to her appearance.
Unlike Riya, Shinjani never tried to attract attention. She wore a simple salwar suit, no expensive jewellery and no heavy makeup. Just a small pair of earrings and a simple watch.
She was carrying a tray of glasses through the hallway when a voice stopped her.
“Shinjani!”
She immediately stopped.
Aarati stood near the dining room.
“Yes, Aunty?”
“Take these to the guests.”
“Yes.”
Shinjani carefully balanced the tray in her hands and walked toward the living room.
The house was still filled with people. Relatives were laughing, someone was discussing the wedding date, and someone else was looking through photographs from the engagement.
Shinjani quietly served the guests.
“Thank you.”
She smiled politely.
“You're welcome.”
She moved to the next person.
As she walked past the living room, she heard Riya's friends laughing upstairs. She glanced toward the staircase.
Riya was standing there with a group of friends. Everyone was admiring her ring.
“It's gorgeous!”
“Aditya has such good taste.”
“You're going to have the most beautiful wedding.”
Riya laughed.
Shinjani smiled faintly.
She was happy for her cousin.
At least, she wanted to be.
Riya had always been the center of attention. Shinjani had learned to stay in the background. She didn't resent her. She simply understood that their lives were different.
Riya was the daughter of the house.
Shinjani was her cousin.
After losing her parents at a young age, Shinjani had come to live with her uncle and aunt. Her uncle had always tried to protect her. He had supported her education and encouraged her to study.
But Aarati had never truly accepted Shinjani as her own daughter.
She wasn't openly cruel all the time.
Instead, it was the small things.
The extra work.
The constant instructions.
The way Riya's needs always came first.
The way Shinjani was reminded that she was lucky to have a roof over her head.
Shinjani had learned not to complain.
She had her own dream.
Medicine.
Becoming a doctor was the one thing she wanted more than anything. She had worked hard for it through long nights, difficult examinations and endless studying.
She was determined to complete her MBBS.
No matter what happened at home.
She would become a doctor.
That was her promise to herself.
“Shinjani!”
She turned again.
“Yes, Aunty?”
Aarati pointed toward a pile of plates.
“Take those to the kitchen.”
“Okay.”
“And later, check the guest room.”
“Yes.”
“There are relatives staying tonight.”
“I'll do it.”
Aarati walked away.
Shinjani took a quiet breath and glanced at the clock. Her medical books were waiting upstairs. She had planned to study after the engagement ceremony.
But there was always more work.
She picked up the plates.
“I'll study later,” she whispered.
She had become used to saying that.
The Engagement Gifts
Later that evening, Shinjani entered Riya's room carrying several gift boxes.
Riya was sitting in front of the mirror, scrolling through photographs on her phone.
“Put them there,” Riya said without looking up.
Shinjani placed the boxes carefully on the table.
“There are more downstairs.”
“Okay.”
Shinjani turned to leave.
“Wait.”
She stopped.
Riya held up her hand.
“Look.”
Shinjani looked at the ring.
“It's beautiful.”
“Aditya chose it himself.”
“I know.”
Riya smiled.
“He has very good taste.”
Shinjani smiled politely.
“He does.”
Riya looked at her for a moment.
“You'll help with the wedding preparations, right?”
“Of course.”
“There will be a lot of work.”
“I don't mind.”
Riya smiled.
“I knew I could count on you.”
Shinjani nodded.
“Congratulations again.”
“Thank you.”
Shinjani turned toward the door.
“Shinjani?”
She looked back.
“Yes?”
Riya hesitated for a moment.
“Do you think I'll be happy there?”
The question surprised her.
Shinjani looked at her cousin.
“I think you will.”
“Why?”
“Because you really want this.”
Riya smiled.
“I do.”
“Then don't worry so much.”
Riya looked at her ring.
“I just want everything to be perfect.”
“It will be.”
Riya smiled.
“Thank you.”
Shinjani nodded and left the room.
The moment the door closed, Riya looked at herself in the mirror.
She smiled.
Everything was falling into place.
Exactly the way she wanted.
The Malhotra Mansion
Across the city, preparations were already beginning at the Malhotra mansion.
The enormous house was decorated with fresh flowers. Workers moved around the entrance carrying boxes while the wedding planner discussed arrangements with Sheena.
“The guest list needs to be finalized by tomorrow,” the planner said.
Sheena nodded.
“Make sure the arrangements are perfect.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“And the mandap?”
“We'll begin setting it up two days before the wedding.”
“Good.”
Sheena smiled.
The wedding was still a month away, but she already wanted everything to be perfect.
Her daughter Kiara sat on the sofa nearby, scrolling through engagement photographs. She stopped at one.
“Mom.”
Sheena looked over.
“What?”
“Look at this.”
She showed her the photograph of Aditya and Riya.
They looked beautiful together.
Sheena smiled.
“They do.”
Kiara nodded.
“Riya is perfect for Aditya.”
“She seems like a good girl.”
“She is.”
Kiara leaned back.
“She is beautiful, confident and stylish.”
Sheena laughed.
“You've mentioned that several times.”
“Because it's true.”
Kiara looked at the photograph again.
“She'll fit into this family.”
Sheena smiled.
“I hope so.”
Kiara's expression softened.
“Bhai deserves to be happy.”
Sheena nodded.
“He does.”
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
They both remembered Preethi.
Five years ago, the Malhotra mansion had been filled with grief.
Aditya had lost the woman he loved. Ayush had lost his mother, and the family had lost a daughter-in-law they adored.
Aditya never spoke much about those years. He simply continued living, working, raising Ayush and taking care of his responsibilities.
But his family knew he had never truly moved on.
Now, Riya was entering his life.
Everyone hoped this would be different.
Everyone hoped he would finally smile again.
Aditya
Upstairs, Aditya stood alone in his study.
His suit jacket was draped over a chair. His tie was loosened, and his phone was on the desk, filled with messages from business associates and relatives.
He ignored them.
Instead, he stared out of the window.
The garden below was illuminated with soft lights. He could hear the faint sounds of his family downstairs.
Laughter.
Voices.
Music.
For once, the house felt alive.
He should have been completely happy.
He was getting married.
His son seemed excited.
His parents were happy.
His sister was thrilled.
Everything was going according to plan.
Yet there was still a quiet part of him that hesitated.
Preethi.
Even after five years, her memory still lived somewhere inside him.
He had loved her deeply. Losing her had left a wound he never really talked about.
He wasn't trying to erase her.
He never could.
But perhaps it was time to stop living only in the past.
He walked toward the photograph on his desk.
Preethi was smiling in the picture.
Aditya stared at her.
“I hope you won't be angry with me.”
His voice was barely audible.
“I think I'm ready to try again.”
He paused.
“I'll take care of Ayush.”
His eyes became moist.
“I promise.”
A small knock came at the door.
Aditya quickly composed himself.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
Ayush stood there.
“Papa?”
Aditya smiled.
“Come here.”
Ayush ran toward him.
Aditya bent down and caught him.
“You're still awake?”
“I wanted to see you.”
Aditya smiled.
“What happened?”
Ayush looked at the photograph on the desk.
“Is that Mommy?”
Aditya's smile faded slightly.
“Yes.”
Ayush looked at the photograph for a few seconds.
“She's pretty.”
“She was.”
Ayush looked at his father.
“Are you going to marry Riya?”
“Yes.”
“Then she'll be my new mommy?”
Aditya crouched down so they were at the same level.
“Do you want that?”
Ayush nodded.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I want a mommy at home.”
Aditya's heart tightened.
He gently touched his son's hair.
“You'll always have me.”
“I know.”
Ayush hugged him.
“But I want a mommy too.”
Aditya closed his eyes for a moment. Then he hugged his son tightly.
“She'll love you.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Ayush smiled.
“Will she stay with us?”
“Yes.”
“Every day?”
“Yes.”
“Forever?”
Aditya smiled faintly.
“I hope so.”
Ayush nodded happily.
Then he suddenly asked, “Will she tell me stories?”
Aditya laughed.
“Probably.”
“Will she come to my school?”
“If she can.”
“Will she make my favorite food?”
Aditya shook his head.
“You'll have to ask her.”
Ayush smiled.
“I'll ask her tomorrow.”
Aditya laughed.
“Okay.”
The little boy hugged his father again.
For a moment, Aditya allowed himself to imagine a different future.
A future where Ayush had a mother again.
A future where the house was filled with laughter.
A future where he could finally feel complete.
He didn't know whether Riya was truly the woman who could give him that.
But he was willing to try.
A Family's Hope
Later that night, the family gathered for dinner.
Sheena looked around the table. Everyone seemed happy.
Kiara was talking excitedly about wedding decorations. Aditya's father was discussing the guest list, while Ayush was describing everything he wanted at the wedding.
“I want a big cake!”
Kiara laughed.
“You're not getting a cake bigger than you.”
“Why?”
“Because you'll try to eat the whole thing.”
Ayush grinned.
Aditya smiled at his son.
Sheena looked at him.
“Adi.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you happy?”
He paused.
Then nodded.
“Yes, Mom.”
Sheena smiled.
“That's all I wanted to hear.”
Aditya looked around the table.
His family.
His son.
The people he loved.
Maybe this really was a new beginning.
Riya's Dream
At the same time, Riya sat by her bedroom window.
Her phone was in her hand. She was looking at the engagement photographs.
Aditya beside her.
Ayush smiling.
The ring on her finger.
She smiled.
Everything looked perfect.
She opened a note on her phone.
Wedding shopping.
Jewellery.
Designer lehenga.
Reception dress.
Honeymoon.
She added another item.
Malhotra mansion.
Then she laughed softly.
She had always dreamed big.
Now her dreams were becoming reality.
She placed the phone aside and looked at her ring.
“One month.”
She whispered.
“One month, and I'll be Mrs. Aditya Malhotra.”
She smiled.
She had no idea how quickly life could change.
A Quiet Dream
Far away from the celebration, Shinjani sat at a small desk.
Her medical textbook was open. She had been reading the same page for several minutes, but her mind kept drifting toward the wedding preparations.
She looked at the engagement invitation lying nearby.
Riya and Aditya.
She smiled.
Her cousin was going to have a beautiful life.
Shinjani genuinely hoped so.
She picked up her pen.
“One day,” she whispered to herself, “I'll become a doctor.”
She imagined herself wearing a white coat, helping patients, standing independently and making her parents proud, even though they were no longer there to see it.
Her eyes became slightly wet.
“I'll do it.”
She returned to her studies.
She had no idea that her carefully planned future was about to collide with a world she had never imagined entering.
The engagement had been celebrated.
The families were happy.
The wedding date had been fixed.
Riya believed she was about to become the queen of the Malhotra family.
Aditya believed he was finally getting another chance at happiness.
Ayush believed he was finally going to have a mother.
Shinjani believed she would finish her medical studies and build a life of her own.
Everyone had plans.
Everyone had dreams.
Everyone believed they knew what the future would look like.
But fate had already written a different story.
A story that would begin with a wedding...
A missing bride...
And a young woman who had never imagined becoming a bride at all.
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