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Tears gathered in Nandini’s eyes, not because of the situation, but because of the man standing in front of her. Despite the history, despite the pain, despite the fact that Rhea was once the woman who had broken him, Shaurya was still choosing her. Choosing to protect her dream. Choosing to put her first.

She threw her arms around him and buried her face into his shoulder. His arms wrapped around her instantly, holding her tight, just as fiercely, as if she was the only anchor he had left.

This right herewas love.The raw, honest, no-matter-what kind of love. And he held her like he’d never let her go again.

Just as Nandini and Shaurya held each other in a quiet embrace, a sharp voice shattered the stillness of the night.

“Nandini!”

It was her grandfather. And he was furious.

Nandini jerked back from Shaurya as though burned, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes flew towards the sound, and there he was.

Grandpa stood just a few feet away, his stance rigid and cold. His face was thunderous. His hands trembled slightly, not from age, but from barely controlled fury.

Nandini’s pulse pounded in her ears. They had been careful. So careful. But now… their secret was no longer a secret.

Shaurya stiffened beside her. In just a few hours from now, he had planned to ask Grandpa for her hand, but now their love affair was out and exposed before him. Luck wasn’t with them tonight. First, Rhea was suddenly introduced as the investor backing Nandini’s brand, and now this.

Grandpa stormed towards them, his gait uneven, a slight limp betraying his age. But it was rage that propelled him forward with unstoppable momentum.

“What the hell is going on here?” he demanded.

Nandini’s heart thudded violently.

Grandpa took a few steps forward, his eyes flitting between the two of them. “Nandini?” he asked, quieter now, as though praying his eyes were deceiving him. “What is this?”

Neither of them answered. Their silence confirmed what he feared.

And then it hit him. He recalled how a few days ago Shaurya had spoken to him, confessed about falling in love with someone again. And he had even encouraged the young man, spoken about second chances, about love finding its way back.

Realisation washed over him like a splash of ice water.

He was talking about Nandini. It had always been her.

His face hardened, the initial shock turning into rage. His steps quickened, driven by sheer betrayal.

“You,” he spat, his eyes narrowing at Shaurya. “You told me you were in love again. Were you talking abouther?” His voice rose in disbelief. “My granddaughter?”

He stood in front of Shaurya and grabbed him by the lapel of his suit jacket, his hands trembling with rage.

“How dare you?” he hissed through gritted teeth. “Of all the women in the world, you chose my granddaughter to mess around with?”

Shaurya didn’t flinch. He didn’t shove the old man away. His hands stayed at his sides, but his body tensed.

“I’m not messing around with her,” he said, his voice steady. “I love Nandini.”

A beat of silence passed between them, and then Grandpa’s face twisted further with rage.

“Shut up!” he roared. “Don’t you dare say her name!”

Nandini rushed forward, grabbing Grandpa’s wrist in both her hands.

“Daadu, please… please let him go.”

But Grandpa didn’t budge. Instead, his grip tightened, his eyes burning holes into Shaurya.

“Lakshmi!” he thundered towards the house. “Bring my gun! I’ll shoot this man right here for even thinking about Nandini like that!”