The missing piece of my Heart

✧ Chapter 3 ✧

As Vedraj lifted Arna's veil, the room fell silent, with Kriti's family members stunned in disbelief. Kriti's mother, her face reddening with rage, stormed forward, grasping Arna's hand.

"Who is this girl?" she demanded, her eyes blazing with fury.

Vedraj's response, "She is Arna, my wife," ignited a firestorm.

Kriti's mother's hand hovered, ready to strike Arna, but Vedraj intervened, his grip tightening around her wrist. Arna's eyes snapped shut, fear etched on her face.

Kriti's mother's eyes widened, shocked by Vedraj's audacity.

"Vedraj beta, tum...?" she began, but Vedraj cut her off, his voice boiling with anger.

"How dare you? How dare you raise your hand against my wife?" Vedraj's words thundered through the hall, silencing everyone.

Meanwhile, Vedraj's family exchanged covert glances, their faces masking excitement. They had never wanted Kriti as their daughter-in-law, finding her modernity and lack of etiquette distasteful. Her duplicitous behavior, faking respect for elders, had repelled them. Now, they reveled in the unexpected twist.

As Kriti's mother lunged at Arna, Vedraj's mother clenched her fists. "How dare she try to harm my daughter-in-law?" she whispered to her family, her eyes flashing with indignation.

But before they could react, Vedraj's words stunned everyone. "From today, V.R. Industries and Singhania Industries are rivals," he declared, his gaze locked on the media.

"I will spare only Singhania Hospital, operated by Kriti Singhania."

The room erupted into chaos as Vedraj turned to leave, Arna's hand firmly in his. Tears streamed down Arna's face, her eyes fixed on the impending storm. Her father's reaction, she knew, would be catastrophic.

Kriti's family seethed with anger and humiliation, their reputation tarnished. "This is war," Kriti's father growled, his face purpling.

Vedraj's family, however, exuded satisfaction, their secret desires fulfilled. "Our son has finally found a worthy partner," Vedraj's father smiled, his eyes gleaming with approval.

As the two families parted ways, the air thickened with tension, the battle lines drawn. The once-peaceful alliance had transformed into a ruthless corporate war, with Arna caught in the crossfire.

The media frenzy outside intensified, sensing the explosive scandal unfolding. Cameras flashed, reporters shouted, and the nation watched, captivated by the high-stakes drama.

Urja sat comfortably on the couch, engrossed in her favorite TV show. Suddenly, all channels flickered and went dark, replaced by a breaking news banner on every screen. She knew this signified a major development. Her curiosity piqued, she leaned forward as the news anchor's solemn voice filled the room.

"And now, shocking news from the world of business and society. Vedraj Oberoi, heir to the Oberoi Industries empire, has married a mysterious woman in a surprise ceremony, leaving many stunned."

Urja's eyes widened as the camera zoomed in on the bride's face. Her heart skipped a beat - it was Arna, her daughter. How could Arna do this without telling her? The room filled with tension.

Avinash, Urja's husband, stormed into the room, his face thunderous. "Akshit, prepare to leave for Oberoi Mansion immediately!" he barked.

Akshit nodded and turned to leave, but Rajashree, his wife, grasped his hand, her face etched with concern.

Avinash's anger was palpable, but Urja tried to calm him. "Avinash, let's talk about this..." she began, but he cut her off.

"No, Urja! This is unacceptable!" Avinash's fury boiled over.