𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑫𝑬𝑵𝑬𝑫 𝑯𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑻.

𝑯𝑯𝑯 𝟏𝟎

"Bhai? " Akash called out to Arnav as soon as he entered his office, but he was met with a deadly glare from Arnav and Sahil shushing him as he pointed to a sleeping Lulu.

Akash apologized to Arnav upon seeing Lulu sleeping on his chest.

Arnav stood up and walked to the office's lounge, where he pressed a button on the couch, transforming it into a pull-up bed.

He laid down a sleeping Lulu and kissed her forehead; she smiled in her sleep, making Arnav laugh while Akash admired them.

He turned to Akash, his smile faltering as he approached him.

"You appear to have forgotten your manners?" Arnav reprimanded Akash making Sahil chuckle as Akash apologized. "What exactly do you want?"

"Shashi came here to see Khushi." Arnav was surprised by Akash's response. "Bhai, I have a bad feeling this is not going to end well." Akash admitted making Arnav frown.

"Why so?" he inquired.

"Khushi bhabhi has been here for over five weeks and has not once visited Shashi, who has stood by and loved her, and seeing the new her, I am not sure if their meeting will go down well."

Arnav realised Akash was correct and asked him and Sahil to accompany him.

"Khushi, please do not do anything stupid." Arnav pondered as they walked to her office, but what they heard shocked them to their core.

"Preeto, my bag. " Preeto seemed perplexed, but she followed the instructions.

Khushi pulled out her checkbook, wrote something on it, and handed it to the perplexed Shashi.

"Write whatever amount you want on the check......" It is recompense for your love and hospitality over the years I spent with you and my so-called aunt."

Khushi explained calmly and handed him the cheque, but he refused, which irritated Khushi, so she grabbed his hand and slammed the cheque into it before walking away, leaving the entire Gupta and Raizada family stunned.

Shashi appeared devastated as he watched his once-angelic daughter become cold.

"What in the hell is wrong with you, Khushi?" Preeto yelled at Khushi, who responded dismissively.

Was her best friend so broken that she would hurt the only person who had loved her unconditionally and protected her from a vicious Buaji and enabler Garima?

"Look, Mr. Shashi Gupta, I thank you for everything you have done, but I think we should end this...... The check represents payment for everything you have done for me." Khushi exclaimed in the coldest tone imaginable.

"My love for you is not for sale." Shashi responded sadly, and everyone sensed the pain in his voice.

He approached Khushi, held her hand, and placed the check in it.

He picked up the bag he had brought and handed it to Khushi, who accepted it and walked away, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Arnav and Akash, who saw his expression, knew he was doing everything in his power not to cry.

They turned to Khushi, who opened the bag and took out a parcel containing her favorite sweet and a card saying.

"I am really proud of you."

Khushi's eyes shone as she saw this, and she swallowed her vulnerability and returned the items to the bag.

"What's wrong with Khushi?I do not believe Shashi hid the truth from you out of malice. "Preeto justified making Khushi glare at her.