The next episode opens with Vihaan walking into the police station, his eyes scanning the area before landing on a specific cell. He unlocks the door to the cell where Gayatri, Gauri's adoptive mother, is being held.
Gayatri steps out of the cell, her eyes locking onto Gauri, who stands beside Vihaan. A storm of emotions crosses her face before she rushes to Gauri and envelops her in a tight hug. "Thank you, beta," she says, her voice trembling with gratitude.
Outside the station, Gayatri's eyes waver, a rare vulnerability breaking through her usual composure. Her voice trembles as she begins, "Gauri… I have no words for what I've done. I used you, forced you to do things no daughter should ever be made to do… all for my own greed, all for money and power. And Charvi… I threatened her because of her heart, knowing she could have been harmed, just to control you. How could I have been so cruel, beta? How could I put my desires above your safety, your dignity?"
Tears streak down her face as she reaches out, her hands shaking. "I betrayed your trust in the worst way possible. I robbed you of your innocence, your peace, your life… and for what? My own selfish gain. I am… so ashamed, Gauri. I never should have been your mother like this."
Her voice cracks, raw with regret. "I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I beg you… please, just let me make amends, even a little. I want to protect you and Charvi now, not exploit you. I want to be a mother you can trust, if you'll let me."
Gauri steps back for a moment, tears blazing in her eyes, feeling the weight of everything her adoptive mother has done. Then, slowly, she reaches out, hugging Gayatri with trembling arms. "Ma… you made terrible choices, but I'll hold you accountable. Starting now… you'll have to earn any trust you want from me and Charvi."
Gayatri clings to her, sobbing openly. "Yes, beta… yes, I'll do whatever it takes. I'll never use you or Charvi again. I swear it."
Later that day, Vihaan arrived at Gauri's home to pick her up. Gayatri greeted him warmly and gestured for him to sit. Her face was unusually serious.
"Vihaan, I want to ask you something," she said, her voice heavy with emotion.
Vihaan inclined his head politely. "Of course, Ma'am. What is it?"
Gayatri's eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she looked at him. "Promise me you'll take care of Gauri. She's sacrificed more than anyone knows… for me, for Charvi. And I—" her voice cracked, "—I've been a terrible mother to her. I forced her into things no mother should ever make her child do. I let my greed blind me. I never gave her the love she deserved, only pain. I can never erase what I've done."
Vihaan's expression shifted, a flicker of surprise at her candor, but then softened. His voice was steady, carrying conviction. "I promise, Ma'am. Whatever happens, I'll take care of Gauri."
Gayatri closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Thank you, Vihaan. I may not deserve it, but I'm grateful… that at least she has someone now."
Just then, Gauri entered the room, dragging her luggage. She gave her mother a faint smile, her eyes shimmering with suppressed emotion.
At that moment, Charvi came in, holding a small bag. Her brows knitted as she saw Gauri with her suitcase, Vihaan standing nearby. "Sister… what's going on? Where are you going?"
Gauri swallowed hard, forcing a calm smile. "I'm going to my in-laws' house, Charvi."
Charvi's eyes widened, her voice breaking. "But, sister…"
Before she could say more, Gauri pulled her into a tight hug, whispering into her ear, "Whatever I'm doing, Charvi… it's not just for me. It's for you too. If I refuse this marriage, ACP Vihaan might turn his anger toward you. I can't let that happen. Trust your sister—she will set everything right."
Charvi's tears spilled freely as she clung to her. Pulling back slightly, she looked at Vihaan with pleading eyes. "Please… take care of my sister."
Vihaan gave a small nod, his face unreadable, but his gaze lingering on Gauri for a moment longer than necessary.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy—filled with unshed words, quiet sacrifices, and the shadow of decisions that could not be undone.
Gauri and Vihaan walked side by side toward his car, the silence between them thick with tension. Vihaan reached forward, his hand moving to open the passenger-side door for her.
But Gauri stopped abruptly, her eyes flashing with disdain. "Don't act like a gentleman when you're nothing but a thug, ACP," she said coldly, brushing past him without hesitation.
She pulled the door open herself, slipping into the seat with a sharp thud as she closed it. Her voice was clipped, dismissive. "You can put the luggage in the boot."
Vihaan froze for a beat, his jaw tightening at her words. He exhaled through his nose, muttering under his breath as he walked to the back of the car. "Giving me orders as if I'm her PA…"
He lifted her bags and placed them firmly in the boot, the metallic clang of the lid shutting echoing his irritation. Without another word, he slid into the driver's seat, his knuckles tightening around the wheel.
The engine roared to life, and the car rolled forward into the uncertain path ahead—two unwilling companions bound together by a contract, pride clashing with wounded hearts.