Taken For Granted

Chapter 49

Payal's POV

I watch as Khushi leaves, her presence disappearing from my sight. As soon as she's gone, I turn to Karan, and we start discussing our plan in hushed tones.

After 5 minutes

Karan sighs, rubbing his temples. "Payal... I think we should call it a night."

I nod, feeling exhaustion settle in. "Yeah, let's go."

Like Khushi and Sam, our rooms are next to each other. As we reach our doors, Karan pulls me into a warm hug before heading inside. Just as I step into my room, a voice laced with irritation stops me in my tracks.

Akash (angry) - What were you doing with Karan?

I turn, staring at him with cold, unyielding eyes. He has the audacity to be possessive now? After everything? After throwing me away like I meant nothing?

I don't bother wasting words. Instead, I grab a pillow and a blanket, walk to the poolside, and toss them down.

Me (firmly): "Go sleep outside."

Akash's brows furrow. "What? This is my h—"

I cut him off, my patience wearing thin.

Me (furious): "Enough! I've held back for too long, but not anymore. Who do you think you are? Why are you acting like I belong to you when you never even fought for me? When you never trusted me? This is my house. I bought it. So, if you want to stay here, you'll do as I say. And one more thing—don't try to be ASR. That ASR lost everything. If you want a chance, be the Akash I once knew—the man who trusted me."

His face is unreadable, but I see the hurt in his eyes. For a moment, I almost feel something—regret, maybe? But then I remind myself of all the times I cried alone.

Without another word, he silently walks to the poolside and lays down. I sigh, shaking off the emotions threatening to creep in, then head to bed.

The Next Morning

I wake up to a few missed messages from Mum. My heart clenches as panic sets in, and I immediately call her without even reading them.

On call:

Me (anxious): "Mum! Are Aru and Vivu okay?"

Mum's voice is tense. "They're fine, but..."

My breath catches. "But what?"

She sighs. "Your father's surgery has been scheduled. We have to leave next week... but we can't take the kids. There's no one to look after them."

My grip tightens on the phone. Damn it. I can't bring them here—not to this mess. But what other choice do I have?

As I disconnect the call, I start to think about possible solutions, but I can't think of any suitable ones, soon Khushi walks in, looking tense.

Me (worried): "Khushi, what's wrong?"

She hesitates before saying, "Jiji... Mum called..."

I force a smile, pushing away my own worries. "We'll deal with this later. First, we have someone to handle."

Downstairs

We step into the dining area to see Sheetal screeching for food like a spoiled queen while the poor house staff scrambles to serve her. Then, in the chaos, a dish slips from someone's hands, shattering onto the floor.

Sheetal (furious, raising her hand): "How dare you?! You worthless—"

Before she can strike the worker, Khushi's hand shoots out, stopping her mid-air. And then, with a resounding slap, Khushi strikes her instead.

Khushi (furious): "Don't you dare lay a hand on anyone here! Who do you think you are? What right do you have to stay in this house?"

Sheetal glares, touching her stinging cheek. "You little—"

She doesn't get to finish.

Sheetal (smirking): "This is my house! I have every right to stay here—I'm the mother of your husband's child."

I feel nothing but pure disgust for this woman. Her son has been missing for seven years, and she hasn't even tried to find him. What kind of mother is she?

Khushi laughs coldly. "Your house? For your kind information—"

Before she can finish, Arnav strides in, his voice sharp and commanding.

Arnav (angry): "Sheetal, how dare you speak to my wife like that?"

Sheetal flinches, but he doesn't stop.

Arnav (coldly): "You should be grateful we're even letting you stay here. And let me make one thing crystal clear—Aarav was never my son. You and I were never that close. I only kept you around so other women would leave me alone. So don't you ever talk to Khushi like that again, or today will be your last day in this house."

I watch as he grabs Khushi's hand and leads her toward the kitchen. But before I can follow, Sheetal yanks me back.

Sheetal (furious, seething): "This is all because of you!"

She raises her hand to slap me—

But before she can, two hands stop her.

One belongs to Akash. The other... to my mother-in-law.

Manorama slaps her hard, her voice laced with venom. "Don't you dare touch my daughter-in-law! If you even try, I'll ruin you."

I pull back, clenching my fists. "I don't need anyone to fight my battles."

Akash (firmly): "You know what? Just leave, Sheetal. You have no place here."

I freeze. No. She can't leave. Not yet. Not until she pays.

Before I can think, the words leave my mouth.

Me (calm, but firm): "No. I'll handle her."

A voice joins mine.

Khushi (coldly): "I will too."

We exchange a knowing look.

Sheetal thinks she's won.

She has no idea what's coming.

What will happen to the kids now?

How will Payal and Khushi take revenge of Sheetal?

Precap - Payal and Khushi's Conversation with Sheetal