Author's POV :
Ahana's heart sank. Rohan had always been protective of her, but since marrying Nisha, he had become more distant, his kindness often overshadowed by his new wife's influence.
"Bhai doesn't know what he's talking about," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I just went to the fest with Preeti."
Nisha's smile grew colder. "His friend saw you with Adhwik, looking all cozy," she said. "And let's not forget you two sneaking backstage. It doesn't look good, Ahana."
Ahana's chest tightened. This wasn't just about a fest anymore; it was about Nisha's never-ending quest to make her feel small. "What's your problem?" she snapped. "You've always hated me because I had more than you!"
Nisha's eyes narrowed. "I don't hate you," she said coolly. "I just don't like how you throw your weight around."
Ahana scoffed. "I've never thrown anything around," she said, her voice rising. "You're just jealous because I have a life, and you're stuck here, playing the perfect wife."
Nisha's eyes flashed with anger. "You think you're so special," she spat. "But let me tell you something, Ahana. You're nothing but a burden on this family. And now you're tarnishing our reputation with your celebrity flings."
Ahana's world crumbled around her. How could Nisha say such a thing? They used to share secrets, laugh together, and now it was as if she had never known her. "You're just jealous," she whispered, the words barely audible.
"Jealous?" Nisha's laugh was like nails on a chalkboard. "I'm not the one who had to beg for an invitation to the concert. I'm not the one who had to sneak around like a thief to get what she wants."
Ahana's hand clenched around the notebook, the edges biting into her palm. "I didn't beg," she said through gritted teeth. "Preeti invited me."
Nisha rolled her eyes. "Of course, the rich girl gets the VIP treatment," she sneered. "But let's not forget who you really are, Ahana. You're just a gold digger, living off your parents' money, using your looks to get what you want."
Ahana's blood boiled. "That's not true," she said, her voice shaking. "You're just mad because you had to marry into this family to get what you want."
Nisha's face twisted into a snarl. "You think I wanted to marry your boring brother?" she spat. "But he's mine now, and so is his money. And you, you're just a leech, trying to suck us dry."
Ahana felt the rage bubble up inside her. "How dare you?" she exclaimed. "You're the one who pretended to be my friend just to get closer to Rohan!"
Nisha's smug expression faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Is that what you tell yourself?" she said with a cruel smile. "To justify the way you throw your family's money around, trying to buy happiness?"
Ahana's eyes filled with tears. She had always felt like an outsider in her house, but to hear Nisha say it out loud was like a knife to the heart. "You don't know anything about me," she said, her voice trembling.
Nisha's smile grew colder. "I know enough," she said. "I know you've always had everything handed to you on a silver platter. You've never had to work for anything in your life."
Ahana's eyes searched the room, desperate for an escape from Nisha's vindictive words. Her gaze fell on the notebook in her hand, the personal message from Adhwik a stark reminder of the magical evening she had just experienced. "That's not true," she said, her voice stronger now. "I work hard for what I want."
But before she could say more, Rohan's heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. The door to the living room swung open, and he stood there, his face a mask of anger and disappointment. Ahana's heart sank as she realized he had heard their exchange. "What's going on here?" he demanded, his eyes flicking between them.
