Chapter 61 — The Words That Stayed

Rukmini had finally returned to the Rathore mansion.

Her family had accepted her back, and Poornima was genuinely happy to see her sister again. She didn't want to hold on to the past anymore.

That afternoon, Poornima took Bubba with her to visit the Rathore family.

Rukmini looked at Poornima as she entered the house with Noor in her arms.

For a moment, she smiled.

Then her expression changed.

Rukmini: "How are you, replaced bride?"

Poornima froze.

She hadn't expected those words.

Rukmini: "You know, Poornima, for Veeresh, you will always be second."

Poornima's smile disappeared.

She looked down at Bubba, pretending she hadn't been affected.

Rukmini: "You were brought into that marriage because I left."

Poornima remained silent.

She didn't want to argue in front of everyone.

She simply met her parents, spoke to them for a while and spent some time with her family.

But Rukmini's words stayed in the back of her mind.

By evening, Poornima returned to the Qureshi mansion with Bubba.

She changed Noor's clothes, helped her freshen up and settled her comfortably.

Mrs. Qureshi noticed that Poornima was unusually quiet during dinner.

Mrs. Qureshi: "Beta, aren't you hungry?"

Poornima shook her head.

Poornima: "No, Maa. I just don't feel like eating."

Mrs. Qureshi looked concerned.

Mrs. Qureshi: "What happened, beta?"

Poornima forced a small smile.

Poornima: "Nothing, Maa. I'm just tired."

She didn't tell her what Rukmini had said.

Poornima quietly went upstairs to her room.

Once inside, she sat on the edge of the bed.

Rukmini's words returned to her.

How are you, replaced bride?

For Veeresh, you will always be second.

Poornima looked down at her hands.

Poornima: "Will I always be seen as the replacement?"

Her eyes became moist.

She tried to reason with herself.

After all, it was true.

Rukmini had been the woman Veeresh was originally supposed to marry.

Poornima had entered the marriage only because her sister had left.

Poornima: "Obviously I'm second."

She wiped her eyes quickly.

Poornima: "That's what I am."

She didn't know what she was supposed to feel anymore.

She had built her restaurant.

She had rebuilt her life.

She had even begun forgiving Veeresh little by little.

But somewhere deep inside, one question still remained.

Would she ever truly be his first choice?

What Poornima didn't know was that Veeresh had never looked at her as second.

Not anymore.

For years, his feelings had been focused on her.

And now, after everything they had gone through, he loved her more deeply than he had ever admitted.

He wasn't trying to replace Rukmini with Poornima.

He had already chosen Poornima.

He was simply waiting for one thing.

For her to give him a chance to prove it.