Devil's Bride

Epilogue 1

Ayaan's life had taken a peaceful turn, but the shadows of the past still lingered in memories. It had been five years since his mother, the gentle soul who had silently endured so much, passed away. Her departure left a void in Ayaan's heart, though Maya often filled it with her unwavering love and care. His mother's dream of seeing Ayaan live a life of love and family was finally fulfilled, but the ache of her absence remained.

Two years later, Ayaan's father, the tyrant who once ruled over both his family and the underworld with an iron fist, met his end in an unexpected car accident. Though their relationship had been strained, his father's death marked the end of an era. For Ayaan, it was bittersweet-his father was the source of much of his pain, but also the man who had shaped him into the formidable force he once was.

Despite their tumultuous relationship, Ayaan took responsibility for handling all the affairs after his father's demise. The accident had left many unanswered questions in Ayaan's mind, but he chose to leave the shadows of the past buried. Maya had been his anchor during this period, silently supporting him, even when he didn't ask for it.

Now, with both his parents gone, Ayaan found himself looking toward the future with a newfound sense of purpose. He was determined to give his children the life he and Maya never had-a life free from fear, domination, and turmoil. In their Chennai mansion, surrounded by love and family, Ayaan often reflected on how far they had come.

"I hope they're at peace now," Maya said one evening, sensing Ayaan lost in thought.

"They are," Ayaan replied, pulling her closer. "And I'll make sure we never go back to that life. For you, for our children, and for us."

Maya smiled softly, her hand resting on his. Together, they had weathered storms and built a future their children would cherish-a future free from the burdens of the past.

Before his untimely demise, Ayaan's father, the once-dominant patriarch of the Rathore legacy, had made a decision that shocked everyone: he transferred all his vast wealth, properties, and shares to his grandchildren-Ayaansh, Arya, and Priya's twins, Abhinav and Aastha. This move came as a surprise even to Ayaan, who had long since distanced himself from his father's control.

It was an act that felt more like penance than a calculated decision. Perhaps, in his final days, Ayaan's father sought redemption for the life he had led and the turmoil he had caused his family. By ensuring the legacy went to the youngest generation, untouched by the shadows of the underworld, he might have hoped to give them a chance to build a future free of his tainted past.

The transition of wealth stirred whispers across the business world and the remnants of the mafia network. Ayaan, who had already stepped away from his family's empire, remained firm in his stance, refusing to claim anything for himself. "My children will inherit what's clean," he had told Maya with resolute determination. "And whatever they do with it, I will make sure it's their choice, not a burden from the past."

Maya, though hesitant, supported Ayaan's decision. She understood that the wealth came with history and complications, but she also believed in the purity of their children's future.

Despite his father's many faults, this act left Ayaan reflective. It was the only gesture that spoke of a man who perhaps, in his own way, tried to make amends before the end. Still, Ayaan's resolve was unwavering-he would protect his family from anything and anyone, ensuring the past never repeated itself.