The night after Karvachauth was calm, the sky silvered by the moonlight that had witnessed love reborn — or so Veeresh thought.

He stood in the corridor outside his study, phone pressed to his ear, giving short replies to his team about the upcoming championship. His tone was even, his posture composed. But then his gaze shifted — and what he saw shattered that calm in an instant.

Across the courtyard, near the garden, he saw Pavan, his stepbrother, and beside him… Poornima.

Or someone who looked exactly like her.

She leaned close, whispered something, and then — his eyes froze — she kissed Pavan gently.

The phone nearly slipped from Veeresh’s hand. His pulse spiked.

Every emotion — anger, disbelief, pain — surged through him all over again.

“Why, Poornima…” he muttered under his breath, his throat tightening.

He turned away, fists clenched. The same ache from years ago clawed back into his heart — betrayal, humiliation, and that helpless feeling of being the second choice again.

He took a deep breath, trying to convince himself.

No… she wouldn’t… not after everything.

But the image replayed in his mind like a wound being reopened.

And then, from behind him, came her voice — soft, calm, innocent.

“Veeresh… come.”

He turned sharply. Poornima stood there, in the same red saree, her smile tired but genuine.

“Where were you?” he asked, his tone quiet but layered with suspicion.

Poornima blinked, confused. “Neha and Priyanka came home. We were talking outside… why?”

Veeresh’s eyes darted past her — and sure enough, he saw Neha and Priyanka standing by the car, waving goodbye.

“Nothing,” he said finally, voice low, concealing the turmoil inside. “Let’s go.”

She nodded softly and walked beside him, unaware of the storm behind his silence.

As they entered the mansion, Veeresh’s mind ran in circles.

If that wasn’t Poornima, then who was she?

Someone trying to look like her? Or was his mind playing games?

He tightened his jaw.

“I’ll find out,” he thought coldly. “Whoever that was — or whatever game this is — I’ll know the truth.”