Mourning Bride –

Days passed uneasily at Hrithik’s house.

Hrittik wanted to help Abhina when she was entering the house but she denied.

It hurt hrittik. But onething he understood Abhina was never guilty. It was Abhipriyo who framed it and Abhinav is being partial.

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Mareena constantly felt uncomfortable staying there.

No matter how respectful Hrithik was—

She hated depending on someone else.

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Especially after living like royalty for years.

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One afternoon—

A courier arrived.

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Abhinav had sent money for Abhina’s college fees and expenses.

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The moment Abhina saw it—

Disgust filled her eyes.

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“I don’t want his money.”

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Mareena looked helpless.

“But we have no other option right now.”

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Abhina looked away silently.

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Mareena herself didn’t want to take help from Hrithik either.

Not financially.

Because somewhere—

Her self-respect still hurt deeply.

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So finally—

With trembling hands—

She accepted the money sent by Abhinav.

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Zainab’s Threat

That evening—

Mareena received a call.

Unknown number.

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The moment she answered—

A cold voice spoke.

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“Missing your daughter’s screams already?”

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Mareena stiffened instantly.

“Zainab.”

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Zainab laughed softly.

“I promised revenge.”

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Mareena closed her eyes painfully.

Then finally said—

“You don’t know the full truth.”

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“Truth?” Zainab snapped.

“You killed my father!”

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Mareena’s voice became heavier.

“Your foster father, Manav…”

“My twin brother and I…”

“Since childhood…”

“We were planning revenge against Devraj Roy.”

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Zainab went silent for a moment.

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“In that revenge,” Mareena continued shakily,

“We lost Zareena.”

“Hatred destroyed all of us.”

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Then slowly—

She revealed the darkest truth.

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“Manav wanted to destroy Abhinav.”

“Priya.”

“And even unborn Abhipriyo.”

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Zainab looked stunned.

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“He had become dangerous,” Mareena whispered.

“Psychopathic.”

“Ruthless.”

“Our broken childhood turned him into that.”

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Then came the sentence Mareena herself hated remembering—

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“To stop him…”

“I killed my own brother.”

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Silence.

Heavy silence.

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Then suddenly—

Zainab screamed furiously.

“SHUT UP!”

“What kind of woman are you?!”

“To save your married boyfriend—now husband—you killed your own brother?!”

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Tears rolled down Mareena’s eyes.

“We already punished Devraj Roy and his wife.”

“But Manav wanted everyone destroyed.”

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Then she added softly—

“And Manav wasn’t your biological father.”

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Zainab’s breathing shook.

“So what?!”

“He ADOPTED me!”

“I loved him!”

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Mareena closed her eyes.

“You were only ten months old then.”

“You never saw how dangerous he had become.”

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But Zainab refused to listen.

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“You ruined my foster family,” she hissed.

“So now…”

“I’ll ruin yours.”

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Her tone turned darker.

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“Abhinav uncle is already distancing himself from you.”

“Vedant hates you and your daughter.”

“And now…”

“I’ll destroy whatever little is left.”

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Then the call disconnected.

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Mareena sat frozen.

Because for the first time—

She realized the revenge cycle never truly ended.

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Krutika Returns

Meanwhile—

Hrithik sat alone in his study.

His phone rang again.

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Krutika.

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His expression hardened instantly.

“What do you want?”

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Krutika sighed softly.

“Hrittik…”

“The day of our wedding…”

“I was forced.”

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Hrithik laughed bitterly.

“You ran away with your boyfriend.”

“We got married later,” Krutika admitted quietly.

“But he was horrible.”

“We’re divorced now.”

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Hrithik’s jaw tightened.

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“Just because he was a CEO…”

“And I was only a newly salaried intern…”

“You left me.”

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Krutika sounded emotional.

“You misunderstand me.”

“We were young.”

“You were twenty-seven.”

“I was twenty-four.”

“We were immature.”

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Then softly—

“I want to rebuild our friendship.”

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“Stay away from me,” Hrithik replied coldly.

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But Krutika smiled slightly.

“No.”

“I’m meeting you tomorrow.”

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The Reunion

The next day—

Krutika arrived at Hrithik’s house after thirteen years.

Elegant.

Modern.

Confident.

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The moment she saw Hrithik—

She hugged him tightly.

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Hrithik felt uncomfortable immediately.

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And at that exact moment—

Abhina walked downstairs.

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She froze seeing them together.

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Krutika noticed her instantly.

“Who’s she?”

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Hrithik paused.

Then awkwardly answered—

“She’s my… friend.”

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Krutika’s brows lifted slightly.

“Your friend looks too young.”

Then she laughed lightly.

“Well, friendship is friendship.”

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Her eyes scanned Abhina curiously.

“What’s your name?”

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“Abhina.”

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Krutika smiled politely.

“Cute name.”

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Then suddenly she noticed the two bags hanging from Abhina’s shoulders.

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“Why do you carry two bags like that?”

“Isn’t that funny?”

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Abhina’s face fell slightly.

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Hrithik immediately got irritated.

But somewhere—

He also wanted Abhina to feel jealous seeing Krutika close to him.

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Without saying anything—

Abhina quietly left for college.

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After she left—

Krutika casually laughed.

“Did I say something wrong?”

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Hrithik looked toward the door silently.

Then softly muttered—

“It’s her choice.”

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A faint smile appeared unconsciously on his face.

“She looks cute that way.”

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Krutika’s expression stiffened.

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For the first time—

Jealousy entered her eyes.

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Precap

At college—

Abhina sees Vedant secretly meeting Zainab.

And overhears one shocking sentence:

“Phase three starts with Hrithik.”

Meanwhile—

Krutika asks Hrithik directly:

“Are you in love with that girl?” 🔥