YEARS BEFORE THE ACCUSATION...
Rathore Mansion.
The atmosphere inside the study room was tense.
Veerendra Rathore sat silently while Samaira Rathore looked worried.
Across from them sat the Bhardwaj family.
The alliance had already been fixed months ago.
Kshiti Singh Bhardwaj.
Aaradhyika Rathore.
Everyone knew about it.
Everyone expected the wedding.
Except one person.
Aaradhyika herself.
"I don't want to get married."
The words stunned the room.
Veerendra Rathore frowned.
"What nonsense are you saying?"
Aaradhyika looked straight at her father.
"It's not nonsense."
"I want to study abroad."
"I want to build my career."
"I don't want marriage right now."
Samaira's face paled.
"The wedding is fixed."
"The invitations are almost ready."
"I don't care."
"I am not ready to become someone's wife."
Silence.
Heavy.
Painful.
Humiliating silence.
The Bhardwaj family exchanged glances.
Kshiti sat motionless.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes never left Aaradhyika.
The woman he had chosen.
The woman he loved.
Yet she wasn't even looking at him.
Her dreams mattered more.
Her career mattered more.
And perhaps...
He never mattered at all.
Then suddenly Samaira spoke.
"There is another way."
Everyone looked at her.
Her gaze landed on the quiet girl standing near the doorway.
Adhira.
Only twenty years old.
The younger daughter.
The forgotten daughter.
The girl who always sacrificed.
The girl who never complained.
"Adhira can marry Kshiti."
The room froze.
Adhira's eyes widened.
Aaradhyika looked relieved.
As if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
Veerendra immediately agreed.
"It will save both families' reputation."
The Bhardwajs remained silent.
Finally Rudraveer Bhardwaj looked at his son.
YOU ARE READING
Too Late, Mr. Bhardwaj
Mystery / ThrillerShe was never his first choice. She was the younger sister. The replacement bride. The compromise. While his heart belonged to her elder sister. Yet Adhira Rathore loved Kshiti Singh Bhardwaj enough to accept a place in his life... even if she could...
