Epilogue
Reeva
A few years later
Shaurya presses the brake, and the car rolls to a stop. Then he turns to me. “Are you ready?”
I tear my gaze away from the lights illuminating the magnificent building before us and look at my husband. For a man the world sees as fearless, confident, and impossible to rattle, there is an unmistakable vulnerability in his eyes tonight.
A soft smile curves my lips. “I should be asking you that.”
He exhales slowly before taking my hands in his. His thumb traces gentle circles over my knuckles as he says, “I’ve waited my whole life for this.”
“I know,” I whisper.
I know what tonight means to him. This is our first time returning to Rajmahal after spending months transforming it from a hotel into the home it was always meant to be. A place where our family can escape every summer and create memories for generations to come.
“I love you,” he murmurs, lifting my hand to his lips and pressing a featherlight kiss against my fingers with a tenderness that still possesses the power to undo me.
“I love you too,” I smile back.
Shaurya presses another kiss to my forehead before stepping out of the car and walking around to my side. The moment he opens my door, the cool evening breeze brushes against my skin. He offers me his hand, and I slip my fingers into his.
As we walk towards the entrance, my eyes sweep over the palace, bathed in the warm glow of hundreds of golden lights.
Every graceful archway, marble pillar, and intricately designed jharokha has been lovingly restored to its former glory.
Fresh marigold garlands frame the grand entrance, while rows of flickering diyas line the pathway, casting dancing shadows against the ivory sandstone.
Shaurya gently squeezes my hand as we climb the broad stone steps leading to the massive wooden doors.
And when he pushes them open, my heart melts at the sight before me.
Dadiji stands in the centre of the grand foyer, her face glowing with happiness.
Beside her is Shaurya’s mom, cradling our three-year-old daughter, Aarika Rajvansh, in her arms. Dressed in the sweetest little pink frock, Aarika lets out a delighted giggle, her soft curls bouncing as her tiny, chubby fingers play with her grandmother’s pearl necklace.
My eyes sting with tears.
This... this is everything I have ever wanted for our daughter. A family bound by love and a home filled with it.
Sensing my gaze, Shaurya’s mom turns to me, and for a moment, I can only stare. The eyes that once held nothing but resentment for me now soften with unmistakable warmth. A gentle smile spreads across her face as she walks towards us, with Dadiji following close behind.
The moment Aarika sees me, she stretches out her little arms. “Mamma.”
I gather her against my chest and press a tender kiss to her soft curls. “My baby.”
Shaurya bends beside us and places a gentle kiss on Aarika’s forehead before brushing a stray curl away from her face.
“There’s my princess,” he murmurs with a smile.
“Papa!” Aarika squeals, immediately stretching her little arms towards him. Shaurya takes her from me, and she curls into his embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck as he presses another kiss to her cheek.
Dadiji lets out a contented sigh, her glistening eyes moving between the three of us. “Now this,” she says softly, pressing a hand over her heart, “is the family I prayed for every single day. Seeing all of you together... I can finally tell your Dadaji that Rajmahal is home again.”
Shaurya’s mom nods before gently cupping my cheek. “And you are the reason for all of this, beta. You brought our family back together by giving both my son and me another chance. You brought happiness back into this home.”
Tears blur my vision. I cannot find the words to answer her, so I simply wrap my arms around her. She does not hesitate before embracing me, holding me just as tightly.
“I love you, beta,” she whispers against my ear.
Those four words never lose their magic. No matter how many times she says them, they settle in the deepest part of my heart, healing a little more of what was once broken.
When we finally pull apart, Dadiji is openly wiping tears from her cheeks, though the radiant smile on her face never wavers.
“Enough tears,” she declares with a watery smile. “Come. Let us seek your Dadaji’s and your father’s blessings. I know they are both smiling down on us today.”
I nod as Shaurya’s hand settles gently against the small of my back, and together, we follow Dadiji deeper into Rajmahal.
The palace is breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers sparkle overhead, casting a warm golden glow across the polished marble floors. The walls are adorned with framed photographs of generations of the Rajvansh family.
At the centre of the grand hall, beneath the largest chandelier, stands a silver table surrounded by fresh white roses. Resting upon it are framed photographs of Vikram Rajvansh and Shaurya’s grandfather.
We come to a stop before the photographs. Shaurya gently sets Aarika down beside him before folding his hands in prayer. Watching her father, Aarika presses her tiny palms together, her face unusually solemn. One by one, the rest of us do the same, bowing our heads in silent prayer.
“Dadu,” Aarika says softly a few moments later.
She steps closer to Shaurya’s dad’s photograph, trails her tiny fingers over his smiling face, and presses a sweet kiss to the frame.
Shaurya swallows hard before walking over to her. He lowers himself onto one knee beside her and gently kisses her forehead.
A watery smile touches Dadiji’s lips, while Rajeshwari quickly wipes away the tears rolling down her cheeks.
I glance at Shaurya. His eyes glisten with unshed tears, but when they meet mine, a beautiful smile spreads across his face.
Later that night, after insisting on one more bedtime story, Aarika finally falls asleep nestled between Rajeshwari and Dadiji. Shaurya is in his grandfather’s old study, finishing a work call, while I end my conversation with Bhai and quietly slip out onto the terrace overlooking the lake.
Even the strain that once existed between my brother and Shaurya has softened with time.
Bhai has never forgotten how deeply Shaurya hurt me, but over the years, Shaurya’s actions have accomplished what apologies alone never could.
Bhai has watched him choose me every single day, respect my decisions, stand beside me through every joy and hardship, and love our daughter with a devotion no one could ever question.
I know Bhai and Shaurya may never become the kind of brothers who openly speak about their feelings, but they are no longer two men barely tolerating each other for my sake. The hostility has gradually given way to cautious respect and, although neither of them will admit it, genuine affection.
Meena Aunty, on the other hand, never needed much time to forgive either Shaurya or his mother.
She had always understood that, despite everything, my heart and my happiness still belonged with Shaurya.
In fact, their bond has only grown stronger over the years.
She scolds him whenever he skips a meal, sets aside his favourite dishes whenever he visits, and fusses over him with the same maternal affection she has always shown Bhai and me.
I rub my hands over my arms against the chill and close my eyes when a familiar jacket settles around my shoulders.
I do not have to turn around to know it is him.
A smile tugs at my lips as I lean back against Shaurya, resting my head lightly against his chest. Tilting my face up, I meet his gaze. “Still overprotective.”
“Always.” A slow smile curves his lips as his arms circle my waist, drawing me closer.
“Thank you,” he says quietly.
I frown and turn in his embrace until I am facing him. “For what?”
He cups my cheek, his thumb brushing tenderly across my skin. “For seeing me as more than the worst mistake I ever made. And for believing that I could become the man you deserved.”
I smile and cup his face, my fingers tracing the strong line of his jaw.
“You were never just the worst mistake you made, Shaurya.” I hold his gaze, needing him to see every ounce of truth in mine.
“Yes, you broke my heart. But you spent every day afterwards proving that I could trust you with it again.” My thumb brushes lightly over his cheek.
“The man I fell in love with was never a lie. He was always there, simply lost beneath years of pain, guilt, and the need for revenge.” I place my palm over his heart.
“I am just grateful you found your way back to me.”
Shaurya rests his forehead against mine and releases a slow, unsteady breath. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He presses a lingering kiss to the top of my head before drawing me into his arms. My cheek rests against his chest as his fingers drift gently through my hair, the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear reminding me that this is where I have always belonged.
“Happy?” he asks softly.
I close my eyes and sink deeper into the warmth of his embrace.
“Yes,” I whisper with a smile. “More than I ever dreamed possible.”
His arms tighten around me, and as I stand wrapped in the embrace of the man I almost lost, I finally understand what happily ever after truly means.
Our story was never defined by the mistakes that almost destroyed us. It was defined by our courage to forgive, our strength to fight, and our desire to keep choosing each other… a zeal of desire that finally became our forever.
The End