"Meera! Meera! Please wait."

Meera, who was walking rapidly with her head bowed down, froze in her tracks the moment those words reached her ears.

She kept her eyes lowered as a soft blush crept onto her cheeks.

"I’ve been waiting for you for so long! Why are you so late today? Hmm?"

He leaned in slightly towards Meera, but she flinched and instinctively took a small step back.

Seeing her hesitation, a tender smile played on his lips… he was no stranger to her shy nature.

Stepping back a pace, he murmured softly, "Relax! Now tell me, what took you so long?"

Meera finally raised her head slowly.

There was an irresistible charm on her face, and her eyes were brimming with innocence... Just like every other time, looking at her made time stand still for him for a few brief moments.

"A-Actually... Papa was extremely angry today, that's why...!"

Hearing her words, the boy went completely quiet.

"Aman?" Meera called out softly.

"Come on, we're getting late for class."

"A-Are you upset with me?" Meera asked, matching her steps with his.

"Meera! You are so sweet... I could never be upset with you... It's just that you are so scared of your Papa."

He trailed off into silence.

Meera stopped in her tracks and looked at him.

"I get scared... what if I lose you?"

His voice was thick with emotion.

Aman turned to face her, his gaze intense and deep. "I don't want to lose you!"

Meera glanced around nervously, ensuring no one was overhearing them.

Then she whispered gently, "Me neither..."

Aman couldn't help but smile warmly.

"I will never let anyone come between us."

'I promise...'

he vowed silently in his heart.

Side by side, they both began walking towards their classroom.

Aman’s eyes fell upon her hands, which were tightly clutching her bag strap. He knew she always did that whenever she was anxious.

His heart longed for Meera to hold his hand... but all he could do was wait.

One day... for sure...

Aryan Palace,

"Akshay!"

A woman pushed open the door and stepped inside abruptly, her face flushed with extreme fury.

"Yes, Mom!"

Akshay replied in his deep, heavy voice, fastening his wristwatch.

"Beta! I can't tolerate any of this anymore... That Prithvi Aryan! He is legally transferring his entire property in the name of that Rakshit."

"Is that so?" His tone remained impeccably cold.

"Just 'is that so'?"

"Mom, I'm getting late... Is there anything else you wanted to say?"

He finally turned around to look at her.

By then, tears welled up in Diya Aryan's eyes.

"I have endured this humiliation for so many years... only for the two of you, so I could get you your rightful share... The life of a mistress..."

"Mom, please!"

Akshay's hands clenched into tight fists... After all, which son could stand hearing such painful words about his own mother?

Diya Aryan stood there, weeping.

Akshay walked up to her and pulled her into a warm embrace. Yet, the expression on his face didn't soften in the slightest.

Diya Aryan began to sob even harder.

"Mom! You don't need to stay here and endure any disrespect... Everything you could ever want, I have it... everything that belongs solely to me."

Diya Aryan pulled away from him.

"No! Absolutely not... I am not going anywhere from here... This entire Aryan Empire... all of this belongs to you! After all, you are the elder son... I will make sure you get your rightful place."

She spoke in frustration and turned away from him.

Akshay closed his eyes in irritation.

He was the undisputed king of the entertainment world… a status he had built entirely on his own hard work and talent, without relying on his family surname.

Akshay Aryan was the eldest son of the Aryan family, yet he was never granted that status or power... all because of his mother's position in the house.

He had worked day and night to achieve this position... to give his mother a life of respect and the power she so desperately craved.

However, his mother cared nothing for any of that. Her mind was obsessively fixated only on acquiring the Aryan Empire. In her eyes, Akshay’s achievements and status were nothing compared to the Aryan Empire.

"I'm getting late."

As usual, Akshay didn't feel the need to say anything more.

Diya Aryan quickly grabbed his hand. "I need to talk to you about something urgent."

Akshay paused... but remained silent.

Diya Aryan took a deep breath. "I have fixed your marriage with Ashutosh Nahar's younger daughter, Meera."

Akshay glared at her in anger.

"After asking whom?"

His tone was deadly cold.

He jerked his hand away from her grasp. His mind felt utterly numb.

Marriage! a hollow relationship he despised from the bottom of his heart.

He had witnessed his father's marriage… where despite having a wife, his mother was part of his life. And his grandfather... who had countless affairs despite being married.

"What do you mean 'after asking whom'?! I am your Mom!"

Diya Aryan snapped back in frustration.

"That doesn't give you the right to make such a massive decision about my life without consulting me..."

"I don't want to get married... I hate this hollow relationship..."

"I will not tolerate anyone interfering in my life!"

He spoke so fiercely that Diya Aryan stepped back two paces in fear.

Akshay averted his eyes to control his surging temper.

Diya Aryan tried once more.

"Who told you to let her into your personal life?! You just have to marry her..."

"Ashutosh Nahar's company is in the Top Ten in India... and he has no sons... If you marry Meera, imagine how much you stand to gain! He himself said he would support your business and… "

"That's enough!"

"I don't need anyone's help... and I am not getting married!"

"Do you understand?!" he spat furiously.

It was evident, her words had stung him deep inside.

"Why won't you get married?! Look at your Father and Grandfather... both had multiple affairs..."

"And you! You spend your time surrounded by famous, gorgeous models... yet not a single affair of yours has ever come to light. Do you have any idea what people whisper about you?"

"Look, beta... if you like someone, then… "

Akshay snapped completely.

"I don't like anyone... and I am NOT getting married! Do you get that?!"

Without waiting another second, he slammed the door shut as he exited, leaving Diya Aryan startled.

Akshay stormed down the corridor with heavy, swift strides.

Suddenly, he bumped into someone.

He didn't budge, but the person opposite him tumbled hard onto the floor.

Akshay looked down... and stood frozen for a few moments.

The woman lying on the floor looked no better than a beggar… unkempt hair, disheveled state.

She was his father's lawful wife... 'Maitri Oberoi'

whose mental state was unstable.

By all accounts, Akshay should have hated her... but he felt no resentment toward her.

He knelt down beside her.

"Are you okay?"

"You knocked me down!" she said angrily.

Her clothes were dusty, but Akshay didn't care. He gently helped her stand up.

Without another word, he walked away.

Maitri Oberoi scratched her head in confusion and turned around, watching him walk away into the distance.

In the evening, Meera returned from college. As soon as she stepped into the living hall, her steps came to a sudden halt.

Seated on the sofa in front of her was her father, Ashutosh Nahar.

The moment he saw her, he asked strictly, "Where were you?"

Meera looked towards her mother in panic.

"She went to college," Shivani Ji answered immediately.

"Did I ask you?!" he bellowed, making Meera flinch in fear.

Shivani Ji fell silent.

"Your college ended two hours ago..."

"Where were you for two hours?" This time, his voice was lower, but menacingly stern.

"I... I was... it was a friend's birthday," she stammered, staring down at the floor.

"How many times have I told you... I will not tolerate this wandering around! Girls from respectable families don't do this..."

"When will you ever understand this?!"

Tears welled up in Meera's eyes.

"S...Sorry."

"Go to your room."

Meera walked away with hesitant, quiet steps.

Ashutosh Nahar turned towards his wife.

"I have fixed Meera's marriage."

Meera, who was just walking away... felt the strength drain completely from her body upon hearing those words. Her hands and feet turned ice-cold.