The nine months had passed in a state of cold, suffocating war within the haveli. While Priya moved with the arrogance of a "legal" mother, Rani had been relegated to the shadows of her small chamber. Shashwat’s protection was the only thing keeping her alive, but today, fate was cruel—Shashwat had been called away to the city for urgent legal matters regarding the estate.

And that was the moment Rani’s body decided to give in.