Chapter 30 – What Is Mine Will Stay

The news spread faster than truth ever could.

By evening, every channel, every screen, every phone carried the same image—Ravi standing with his ex-wife, Akshata, outside a business event. The pictures were angled perfectly, framed to tell a story that wasn’t real, but convincing enough for the world to believe.

At the mansion, the atmosphere shifted.

Before anyone could process it fully—

Gayathri’s father walked in.

His anger didn’t wait at the door.

“Pack your things,” he said sharply.

Gayathri stood still, confusion flickering in her eyes. “Why?”

“Because you’re coming with me,” he replied, his tone leaving no space for argument.

She shook her head immediately. “I’m not coming.”

His eyes hardened. “Look at what your husband is doing,” he said, throwing his phone in front of her. “He’s with his ex-wife, and you’re still standing here like nothing happened?”

Gayathri glanced at the screen.

For a moment, her breath paused.

But only for a moment.

Then she looked back at him. “I’m not coming.”

That answer didn’t sit well.

“You will divorce him,” her father said, his voice rising.

“No,” she said again.

This time, without hesitation.

The slap came suddenly.

The sound echoed louder than the words.

Poornima gasped, stepping forward, but Devraj held her back, his face tense, his eyes fixed on the situation.

Gayathri’s head turned slightly with the force, her hand moving instinctively to her cheek.

But she didn’t cry.

She didn’t argue.

She just stood there.

“I’m not coming,” she repeated, her voice lower now—but unshaken.

Her father didn’t listen.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

“Enough,” he said. “You’re coming with me.”

And this time—

He didn’t wait for her answer.

By the time Ravi reached home, the house didn’t feel the same.

He stepped inside, his expression unreadable, but Devraj was already waiting.

“What is this, Ravi?” he asked directly. “You and Akshata?”

Ravi didn’t react much. “Nothing, dad. It’s just business. We’re partners.”

Devraj studied him for a second.

Before he could say anything more—

“Bhai…” Poornima’s voice came, uneasy.

Ravi turned.

“Uncle came… and took Gayathri,” she said.

Ravi’s eyes stilled.

“What?” his voice dropped.

“We tried to stop him,” Veeresh added, frustration clear in his tone. “But he didn’t listen.”

For a second—

Ravi didn’t move.

Then he turned and walked upstairs.

Fast.

“Inu…” he called.

Inayat looked up immediately. “Papa…”

Ravi walked toward her, kneeling slightly. “Where is mumma?”

Inayat’s small face turned serious. “That uncle hit mumma…” she said softly. “And he took her… even when she said she won’t come…”

Ravi’s jaw tightened.

But his voice didn’t change.

“Don’t worry,” he said, placing a hand on her head. “I’ll bring mumma back.”

Inayat nodded, trusting him without question.

Ravi stood up and immediately took his phone, calling Gayathri.

Switched off.

He tried again.

Same.

His grip tightened around the phone.

That night—

Sleep didn’t come.

Morning didn’t bring clarity.

It brought something else.

The lawyer arrived.

A file in his hand.

“Sir,” he said, placing it on the table.

Ravi looked at it once.

Then said calmly, “Poornima… serve me.”

Poornima froze. “Bhai…”

“Do it,” he said.

Slowly, hesitantly, she handed him the papers.

Veeresh stepped forward, anger rising. “What the hell, bhai? She’s divorcing you and you’re just—accepting it?”

Ravi opened the file.

His eyes moved over the document.

Calm.

Unrushed.

Then he spoke.

“My wife’s name,” he said slowly, “is Gayathri Ravi Devraj.”

He lifted the paper slightly.

“And the signature here…” his eyes darkened just a little, “…says Gayathri Rehan Devraj.”

Silence filled the room.

Veeresh frowned. “What are you saying?”

Ravi closed the file.

“Her father doesn’t know,” he said calmly. “I changed her name legally.”

Poornima’s eyes widened slightly.

Ravi leaned back, his expression steady now.

“My Gayu will not sign this,” he said.

Not as hope.

Not as doubt.

But as certainty.

And that—

Changed everything.