The Road Back To You

The Marriage

This book begins from Aanya's POV. For those of you who haven't read the previous book Almost Love, Always Drama, don't worry—you'll still be able to follow along. Aanya is Dhruv's bhabhi (sister-in-law), married to Aarav, Dhruv's elder brother. 

Aanya's voice here acts as the narrator, letting you into the Malhotra household as though you're sitting with them, watching the storm unfold. From her, we'll shift into Aneesha's and finally Dhruv's point of view—where the real story of betrayal, love, and fire begins.

Aanya's POV: 

I came running straight from the office, my heels clicking across the marble floor of the mansion, my mind buzzing with Dhruv's text.
"Urgent matter. Everyone home by 7 PM."

At first, I thought it was one of his usual pranks. But then I noticed he'd even texted me personally multiple times. Dhruv never doubled down unless it was truly serious. My heart sank. Few months ago, both the Malhotra company and mine had suffered a massive data leak—crores of rupees lost, our reputation in the media bruised, and sleepless nights of damage control still haunting us. What now?

As soon as I entered, my eyes softened at the sight in the living room. Aarav—my husband, my forever enemy-turned-partner in everything—was seated with Vrisha, our pumpkin, in his lap. He was reading a storybook, his voice dipping low and warm as Vrisha clung to every word.

"Mummmaaa!" Vrisha squealed when she spotted me. She hopped down and ran, her little arms flying open. I bent and scooped her up, planting kisses on her chubby cheeks.

"How was my baby's day?" I asked.

She giggled, instantly launching into a story about a boy in her class who fell off his chair. Aarav walked over, gently taking Vrisha from me.
"Go get changed, princess. Dhruv might be here any moment."

"Oh, Dhruv," I muttered, rolling my eyes. Then I began ranting, unable to hold back. "I swear if he's planning some prank or drama, I will make sure he doesn't step out of this house for a month. After what we went through with that leak—"

Aarav only smiled, that infuriating calm smile that somehow still made my stomach flip. "Don't worry, jaan. He sounded serious when he called me."

"What did he say?" I pressed.

"Nothing about the matter," Aarav said, adjusting Vrisha on his hip. "But he called ten minutes ago and said he'd reach in twenty. Which means—" he leaned closer, smirking, "—you only have ten minutes to get fresh, princess."

"Ahh, shit!" I yelped, rushing upstairs.

By the time I returned in my trousers and a loose top, the family had already gathered. Niyati and Vivaan—(Dhruv's second bhaiya and bhabhi) were seated together, Niyati smiling politely while Vivaan scrolled through his phone. Maa, Papa, and Dadi had claimed their usual seats, and I slid down beside Aarav.

"Does anyone know anything?" Dadi asked, her voice edged with impatience.

We all shook our heads.

Papa, who rarely wasted words, spoke first. "First the info leak in Malhotra & Co. and Aanya's company... crores gone. Now Dhruv's this urgent text. Maybe this year is cursed for us."

I wanted to agree with him. The sleepless nights, the endless PR interviews, the way people whispered about us in boardrooms—it was all still raw. The thought that something else might be brewing made my stomach knot tighter.

Just then, one of the housekeepers entered.
"Dhruv sahab aagye."

Everyone straightened instantly, questions ready on their lips.

Dhruv walked in, his usual casual confidence replaced by something unreadable. Maa shot up first.
"What happened, beta? Tell us fast."

"Yes, Dhruv," Niyati added gently. "We've all been so anxious."

Before Dhruv could open his mouth, the sound of anklets filled the hallway. All eyes turned.

A girl walked in behind him. Dressed in a heavy red lehenga, jewelry glittering under the chandelier lights, garlands still fresh around her neck. My gaze froze on the vermillion streak in her hairline. My chest went cold.

It couldn't be.

But it was.

Aneesha.

The very name sent a storm of anger rushing through me. She was the reason we had suffered such a huge loss. The reason our nights had turned into battles of survival. And worst of all—she was the one who had betrayed Dhruv the most. The man who hated betrayal more than anything.

I shot up from my seat, everyone following behind me in shock.
"Dhruv—what the hell is this?" My voice shook with disbelief.

Aarav stepped forward too, his tone sharp. "Did you marry her?"

Dhruv's eyes, steady and unflinching, met ours. And then he nodded.

For a second, nobody breathed. The silence pressed down heavier than any scream could.

Maa clutched Papa's arm, trembling. Dadi whispered something under her breath, as if she couldn't believe her eyes. Niyati's face went pale, Vivaan's jaw tightened, and Aarav's hand balled into a fist at his side.

I looked back at Aneesha—her face calm, unreadable, as if she knew exactly what her presence here meant to us.

The silence was deafening, echoing off the marble, heavier than any words we could've spoken. Because sometimes... betrayal was so loud, it made even silence scream.

.

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✨ Hii lovess! ✨

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I know it was a little short, but don't worry—the upcoming ones are going to be longer and juicier.

Also, feel free to drop your ideas in the comments—maybe I'll include them! Tell me what character development you want to see. And heads up: unlike my last story, this one might get a little toxic... in a fun way, of course 😎

Drop your suggestions, and I'll see you in the next chapter! Byeee:))