Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-62: Unfold The Truth

Dedicated to gurjar1234 Olchetina

Everything I believed… every reason I hated him… it was all a lie wrapped in love I didn’t recognize.

Nandini's POV,

The moment we entered the grand foyer of Malhotra Mansion, my heartbeat picked up, loud and unsteady. My palms were sweaty, and I instinctively held Manik's hand tighter. His thumb rubbed gentle circles on my hand, grounding me.

I saw Dadi sitting on the couch, her silver hair glowing softly in the daylight streaming through the windows. Papa was flipping through some papers beside her, and Neyo Maa sat across from them, sipping her tea.

My feet slowed.

What would they think? What would they say? Would they blame me for the situation, for hiding the truth, for breaking down, for being weak?

"Nandini," Manik whispered, tugging me closer. "Breathe. I'm here."

I nodded, letting his warmth anchor me.

As we stepped into the living room, three pairs of eyes lifted to meet mine. I stiffened automatically, but before I could retreat, Neyo Maa stood up and walked straight to me. She didn't say anything at first - just wrapped her arms around me in a warm, tight hug.

My heart broke a little in relief.

"You don't need to explain anything," she said softly in my ear, her voice full of a mother's compassion. "We're with you, always."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and hugged her back, my fingers fisting into her saree pallu.

Then Dadi got up and came to me, cupping my face in her wrinkled, soft hands. "Bachcha... You handle all this alone... You are so strong, Nandini. We're proud of you."

Her eyes shimmered, and so did mine.

"Dadi..." I choked, but no more words came.

Papa placed a hand gently over my head, the way a father does when words fall short. "You're one of us now. We protect our own. Always."

Tears pricked my eyes again. I had been so scared to come here, to face them, but here they were - showing me nothing but trust, love, and warmth. I didn't even realize I had been holding my breath until now.

But then, Papa's phone rang.

His brows furrowed as he answered. "Hello... yes... what?!"

The sudden shift in his tone made all of us freeze. He cut the call short and immediately grabbed the remote, switching on the TV.

And there it was.

A news channel playing a video on loop - me, in Manik's arms, hugging him tightly. Then the moment I fainted. Then Manik panicked, holding me, shouting, "Baby! Wake up! Jaan, please!"

The headline screamed:

"Scandal in the Malhotra Industries: Malhotra Heir's Secret Revealed?"

My body turned ice cold.

I stood there, frozen, heart thudding so loudly I could barely hear the reporter's voice blaring from the screen. My deepest vulnerability, our most private moment, exposed.

"Who the hell recorded this?" Manik snapped, his voice shaking with rage. "And who the fuck gave them the right to make it viral? I swear I won't leave that person-"

I turned toward him and placed my hand on his arm, gently but firmly. "Manik... stop."

He looked at me, eyes burning.