The Bride they burned

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"The truth was never about paternity. It was about guilt."

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REHAAN ARORA – TWO DAYS LATER

He dropped the envelope on the marble table like it was made of C4.

> "DNA results. Just arrived."

Kai didn't blink.

> "That was fast."

> "Money talks," Rehaan said, smug. "Unlike your brooding."

Celeste raised an eyebrow.

> "And you're sure you want to open that in front of everyone?"

> "Scared I might be the dad?" Rehaan teased.

Kai stood slowly.

> "I'm scared you'll die from disappointment."

> "Oh please. If he has my jawline, the universe should thank me."

Me?

I sat perfectly still.

Heart pounding.

Hands cold.

Because this wasn't just about who fathered Aarav.

It was about who abandoned him.

---

NYRA VORA

I took the envelope before either man could touch it.

Broke the seal.

Pulled out the paper.

Read it once.

Twice.

And then—I laughed. Softly. Sadly.

> "Well?" Rehaan asked.

> "Negative," I said. "You're not his father."

He blinked.

Looked stunned.

> "You sure?"

> "You want me to staple it to your forehead?"

Celeste snorted.

> "Guess the universe prefers him looking like Meher, not like a trust fund disaster."

Rehaan exhaled. Slumped into the couch.

> "Honestly? I'm kind of relieved. I'm barely functional as a human, let alone as a dad."

---

KAI – QUIETLY

> "So Ravian's the father."

I nodded. Coldly.

> "Biologically. That's all."

Rehaan stood up.

> "Then I've got one more question."

> "What now?" Celeste snapped.

He looked at me.

Dead serious for once.

> "Did he ever tell you?" he asked.

"What he did the night before Meher died?"

Everyone froze.

> "What are you talking about?" I whispered.

He looked around the room.

> "Ravian was going to run. That's why he called me.

He wanted to disappear after the bet. Leave you and the kid behind."

My throat tightened.

> "You're lying."

> "No," Rehaan said. "He didn't expect you to survive."

---

FLASHBACK – THAT NIGHT

Ravian stood over my bleeding body.

Phone in hand.

Calling someone.

> "I need you to take care of the mess.

I don't want any reminders."

Me.

I was the reminder.

But I lived.

---

PRESENT – NYRA

I dropped the paper.

Stared at the floor.

Heart howling.

> "He called you... to erase me?"

Rehaan nodded.

> "I didn't. Obviously. But yeah."

Kai moved to stand beside me. His presence heavy.

Celeste stepped in front of Rehaan.

> "You should leave."

> "I'm not scared of you."

> "You should be," she said coldly. "Because unlike her, I don't forgive."

Rehaan raised his hands.

> "Fine. I'll go."

He looked at me one last time.

> "I loved you before the world did. Before the death. The revenge. The rebirth."

"If you ever want that back... you know where to find me."

And he walked out.

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ME – ALONE IN MY ROOM THAT NIGHT

The blood test lay on my nightstand.

Unimportant.

Because the real blood was on his hands.

Ravian.

He meant to leave us behind.

And now?

Now he was going to learn what it felt like… to be forgotten by the very thing he destroyed.

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MEANWHILE – AARAV

He hid under the sheets at school.

Whispering to the picture he drew of me.

> "I'll find you. I promise. Even if no one believes you're real."

He closed his eyes.

> "Because dreams don't lie."

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💔 End of Chapter 19

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