Page 187 of Lawfully Yours

Maanya called Revati, a friend of Sadhna.

“Mrs Revati, you mentioned in your affidavit that Sadhna confided in you about her husband’s temper,” Kushal asked.

“Yes.”

“Did she ever mention the reason for those arguments?”

Revati hesitated. “She said he didn’t support her comeback in trying her luck in films after her marriage.”

“Is it? If that’s so, then being such a close friend to Sadhna, you must be aware that it was Mr. Anant Mukherjee only who financed her first comeback on a TV Soap, just a few months after their marriage?”

Revati froze. “I… yes. But he didn’t want her to grow her career. To spread her wings and shift her focus to films.”

Kushal countered further.

“Mr. Mukherjee encouraged her career, invested in her work, and stood by her, even supporting her in making a debut in a film, until differences arose about signing a co-star — herex-boyfriend. Correct?”

Revati took a long pause, knowing that was true. She couldn’t hide that fact. Anant had denied Sadhna taking up that film offer only because her ex was going to be the co-star, someone with whom she had a bad breakup in the past. She didn’t come here to lie to the court, only to hide the fact that it wasn’t necessary…about her friend Sadhna’s ex-boyfriend.

She exhaled. “Yes.”

Kushal grinned, nodding once, making his point. “No further questions.”

Sadhna’s face drained of colour. She shifted in her seat beside Maanya Kapoor, who immediately sensed the turn of the tide and rose to reclaim control.

“Your Honour,” Maanya stood up. “Financial comfort doesn’t negate emotional trauma. And let’s not forget the pattern of behaviour that has now come to light. I am talking about the scandals surrounding Mr. Anant Mukherjee’s alleged affair with one Ms. Noyonika Talwar.”

Kushal cut in smoothly, stepping forward. “Correction, Your Honour. Noyonika is Anant’sex-girlfriend.Their relationship ended long before Anant and Sadhna were married.”

He turned slightly toward the gallery. “And we have evidence, supported by timestamps and mutual communications, proving that fact.”

Judge Meera nodded once. “Proceed. Call the witness.”

Noyonika stepped forward, a little nervous. Her earlier media bravado was gone. She took the oath and stood before Maanya.

“Ms. Talwar,” Maanya began, “you’ve gone on record stating that Mr. Mukherjee was emotionally abusive during your relationship. Do you stand by that statement?”

Noyonika’s eyes flickered toward Kushal and Arundhati before she replied, “No. I don’t. There was no abuse.”

The court rippled with whispers.

She continued, her voice trembling but clear, “Anant was always respectful to me. We ended things mutually, before his marriage. I… said those things to the media for attention. I was wrong.”

Maanya’s jaw tightened. “So, you’re admitting you lied on national television? That you had fabricated abuse for attention?” Her tone turned biting. “Or is it that you’ve been coached now to lie? Pressured to retract?”

Before Noyonika could answer, Kushal rose. “Objection, Your Honour. Counsel is leading the witness and implying coercion without basis.”

Judge Meera nodded crisply. “Sustained. Ms. Kapoor, rephrase.”

But Maanya wasn’t ready to give up. “Your Honour, we can’t rely on testimony that flips overnight. This witness is clearly inconsistent.”

Kushal smiled faintly. “Then perhaps, Your Honour,” he said, “the court should also hear from the person whosuggestedthis angle to Ms. Talwar.”

He turned. “We call our next witness - Ms. Kamya Bakshi.”

A rustle went through the room. The court usher opened the side door, and Kamya entered, visibly annoyed. She was furious at being dragged into this by Kushal, but she knew she had no way out. For years, she’d been a client of Verma & Associates until she crossed the line. By interfering in another active client’s case, the Anant–Sadhna divorce, she had breached her contract and paid the price for it. Her professional reputation had already taken a hit, and she couldn’t afford another blow. Deep down, she also knew there was another loss she had to live with—Kushal. The man had made it painfully clear that his heart, his loyalty, and his love still belonged to Arundhati. She never stood a chance.

Her eyes briefly locked on Kushal as she stood in the witness box with Noyonika.