Later, everyone gathered downstairs in the living room. The silence was suffocating. Veena sat broken on the sofa, her eyes swollen with tears.
"Kamini has finally snatched my son from me," she sobbed, her voice trembling. "Vihaan is lost forever… my child is no longer mine."
The Kotharis exchanged hopeless glances. Dadi's rosary beads clicked rapidly in her hands, but even her lips faltered in prayer. Raani wept quietly against Shyom's shoulder, while Urvashi pressed her palm to her mouth, unable to stop her tears.
Sharda's jaw clenched. "We cannot allow darkness to claim him," she muttered, though even her words carried cracks of despair.
At once, Gauri knelt in front of Veena, holding her hands tightly. Her eyes blazed with fierce determination.
"No, Maa. This isn't the end. Vihaan is not gone. He shielded me from death with his own body, he fought Kamini's control once—he is still inside him. And I will not let him slip away."
Her voice rang with conviction. "Kamini can use her spells, but she cannot erase a mother's love… nor the bond of family. We will bring him back."
Yug placed a supportive hand on her shoulder. "Gauri is right. If anyone can reach him, it's her. We must stand with her, not sink into hopelessness."
Charvi slowly descended the staircase, her steps hesitant, her eyes red from crying. "Didi… I believe you. If Jiju could risk everything for you once, he will hear you again."
Before Gauri could respond, the front door creaked open with a sharp thud.
Everyone froze.
A gust of cold air swept in. And then—Vihaan stepped inside.
He strolled in with effortless arrogance, dressed in an all-black outfit that hugged his frame, exuding menace and allure in equal measure. His fingers casually ruffled through his hair, his lips curved into a wicked smirk.
The family immediately stood to their feet, hearts pounding in unison.
"Vihaan…" Gauri's voice trembled, equal parts relief and fear.
But the man before them wasn't the Vihaan they knew. His eyes glowed faintly red, his aura thick with Sarvansh darkness.
"I heard you were missing me," he drawled, his voice deep and mocking. "So… I thought I'd drop by."
A chill swept through the room as he stopped at the center, stretching his arms out with casual grandeur.
"But I didn't come alone," he added, his smirk widening. "I brought… a surprise."
From the doorway, a delicate hand slid into his. A young woman stepped into view, her beauty striking, her eyes lined with mystery. She walked beside him with confidence, slipping perfectly into his dark aura.
Gasps echoed across the hall as the Kotharis stared in disbelief.
Vihaan squeezed the woman's hand possessively and turned toward his stunned family.
"Meet her. Soon-to-be… my better half."
The words landed like thunder, shaking the room.
Gauri's face drained of color. Her lips parted, but no words escaped. Her world tilted in that instant as her eyes locked on Vihaan, searching desperately for the man she loved.
The tension in the room was unbearable. Gauri's heart pounded as her eyes refused to believe what they had just seen. Gathering her courage, she stepped forward, her voice trembling yet firm.
"Vihaan… what are you saying?" she demanded, her eyes glistening. "This can't be possible. You and I are married! We are bound together by sacred vows—you cannot throw that away!"
Vihaan's lips curved into a dark, mocking laugh. The sound cut through the room like a blade.
"I don't care," he sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I don't care about vows, about rituals, or about family. What matters… is my choice."
He turned toward the beautiful stranger at his side, gripping her hand tighter. "And my choice… is Betalini."
Gasps echoed through the Kothari mansion. The name itself carried a sinister chill.
Gauri's breath caught, but she stepped forward, her voice shaking with desperation.
"Betalini… listen to me. Please, don't follow Vihaan down this path. He isn't in his senses—he isn't himself! He's trapped by Kamini's darkness. Don't be the reason an innocent marriage is shattered."
Her plea hung heavy in the air. The family watched, holding their breath, hope flickering in their eyes.
But Vihaan only smirked, his crimson gaze glinting with wicked amusement. Slowly, he leaned toward Betalini and whispered something.
Betalini's lips curled into a cruel smile. Without warning, she tilted her head back—and unleashed a piercing sonic scream.
The sound was inhuman, shrill and powerful, like shards of glass tearing through the air.
"Aaahhh!" Gauri cried as the force struck her chest like a physical blow, hurling her backwards across the floor. She crashed hard, her body trembling as the wind was knocked out of her.
"SISTER GAURI!" Charvi's scream tore through the silence as she and Yug rushed forward. Sharda and Dadi too ran, lifting Gauri carefully, their faces pale with shock.
The rest of the family stared, horror-struck, at Betalini whose eyes glowed with unholy power.
Vihaan chuckled darkly at the sight, folding his arms smugly. "Did you see that? My Betalini isn't just beautiful… she's deadly. And this is just the beginning."
The Kotharis stood frozen, torn between fury and fear. Gauri clutched her chest, her eyes locked on Vihaan—her voice a broken whisper.
"Vihaan… what has she done to you?"