Destined to Be Yours

Vedha sat cross-legged on her bed, scrolling through her phone absentmindedly. The brightness of the screen reflected in her wide eyes as she froze, staring at a headline that sent a chill down her spine.

Her fingers trembled as she tapped the article, skimming through its contents.

Her mind raced as the implications of the news settled in. "This could ruin everything," she whispered to herself, her voice tight with worry. "Shourya, how will he handle this?"

Her first instinct was to call Shourya. She unlocked her phone again. But the realization hit her abruptly—she didn't have his number.

He'll find out soon enough, she told herself, though the unease in her chest refused to fade.

Shourya sat in the executive boardroom at Verma Industries' headquarters, the expansive glass walls offering a panoramic view of the city skyline. The morning sun cast a sharp glow across the room, but his focus remained on the reports spread before him.

The quiet hum of the building was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," Shourya said, his voice steady.

Gagan stepped inside, his expression serious. "Sir, I need to bring something to your attention."

Shourya looked up, setting his pen down. "What is it?"

Gagan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "A news article has gone viral. It alleges that the breakup of the partnership between Verma Industries and the Malhotras wasn't solely a business decision but was rooted in personal matters. The article claims there was a relationship between you and Ms. Meera Malhotra, suggesting it ended due to her alleged affair."

For a moment, the office was silent except for the faint buzz of the air conditioning.

Shourya's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as anger flared within him. He pushed his chair back and stood abruptly, the sound of it scraping the floor echoing in the room.

"How dare they?" his voice low but seething. "How dare they defame my Meera like this?"

The words lingered in the air, heavy with emotion, until realization hit him like a blow to the chest.

She's not mine anymore.

The thought came unbidden, bitter and cold. His fists clenched, and his anger morphed into a quieter, more painful emotion. Shourya turned away, staring out the large glass window at the bustling cityscape below.

"She doesn't deserve this," he said, his voice barely audible now.

"This has to stop. I want the source of this nonsense identified immediately. Names, platforms—everything."

"Yes, sir," Gagan said before leaving the room swiftly.

The Malhotra Mansion brimmed with an air of unease. Vikram Malhotra paced the grand study, his brows furrowed, fists clenched in frustration. The recent scandal about Meera's character had shaken him to the core. The article had spread like wildfire, painting Meera in an unflattering light, and tarnishing the family's name.

Mahendra, entered the room with a measured stride. His expression was serious, but there was a calculated gleam in his eyes.

"Jija ji ," Mahendra began, his voice measured, "I've been digging into the origins of this despicable article. I thought you deserved to know the truth."

Vikram's sharp gaze narrowing on Mahendra. "What truth? Speak clearly, Mahendra. Who would dare do this to my daughter?"

Mahendra stepped closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a dangerous secret. "It's Shourya. He's behind this."

Vikram's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching on the desk. "Shourya," his voice dripping with venom. "That boy has done enough damage to this family. First, he breaks my daughter's heart. Now, he dares to drag her name through the mud?!"

Mahendra nodded, feigning sympathy. "I didn't want to believe it, but the evidence is clear. The article's source leads back to Verma Industries. This is no coincidence, Jija Ji. Shourya is protecting his own reputation by tarnishing Meera's. He's using his power to destroy us."

Vikram stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. His voice thundered through the room. "That insolent boy thinks he can ruin my family to save his own skin? I'll destroy him for this!"