Several weeks had passed since Abhina had brought Hrithik home from the hospital.

The doctors had warned everyone that although his liver was recovering, it had suffered significant damage after three years of alcohol abuse. Complete healing would take time.

Hrithik was only 43 years old, yet the mirror reflected someone who looked closer to 50.

His once neatly kept hair had turned largely grey.

His face had become thin.

Dark circles surrounded his tired eyes.

The confident businessman who had once carried himself with dignity had disappeared.

One morning, Hrithik quietly looked at himself in the mirror.

He smiled bitterly.

"So this is what I became..."

Abhina, who had just entered the room with his medicines, heard him.

Without saying anything, she walked behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"You became someone who forgot to love himself."

Hrithik lowered his eyes.

"I also forgot how to live."

She gently turned him around.

"But you remembered how to love."

He looked at her with moist eyes.

"You still... don't hate me?"

Abhina shook her head.

"I hated what I believed happened... not you."

She cupped his face.

"I wasted three years believing a lie."

Hrithik held her hands.

"We both lost those years."

She smiled sadly.

"Then let's not lose any more."

---

Every morning now had become a routine.

Abhina woke up before him.

She prepared his prescribed breakfast.

She reminded him about his medicines.

She checked whether he had attended his physiotherapy sessions.

She even accompanied him on slow evening walks.

Whenever he became exhausted, she slowed her own pace without complaint.

One afternoon he stopped walking.

"You know..."

"What?"

"You've become stricter than any doctor."

She folded her arms.

"Because my patient never listens."

He laughed.

"Yes, Advocate Madam."

She pointed at him.

"And no alcohol."

He raised both hands dramatically.

"I surrender."

Both laughed together.

---

Meanwhile...

Rishab watched everything quietly.

He had genuinely fallen in love with Abhina during the years she and Hrithik had been separated.

Yet he never confessed after learning the truth.

One evening he met Abhina outside the courthouse.

She smiled warmly.

"Rishab!"

He smiled back.

"So... Mrs. Hrithik Roy."

She blushed.

"I suppose I still am."

Rishab looked at her for a long moment.

"I'm happy."

She understood immediately.

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head.

"Don't be."

"I knew from the beginning your heart never left him."

He smiled gently.

"I lost nothing."

"I gained a wonderful friend."

Abhina's eyes became moist.

"Thank you... for standing beside me all these years."

Rishab nodded.

"Now go."

"Your husband is probably waiting and worrying."

She laughed softly.

"He worries too much."

"Good."

"Someone should."

They parted as friends.

---

A few weeks later...

Krutika and Aryan got married in a simple ceremony.

Aryan had found peace after years of guilt regarding his past.

Krutika had changed greatly after accepting responsibility for destroying Hrithik and Abhina's marriage.

She invited everyone.

Abhinav and Mareena attended politely.

Hrithik also wished them well.

But Abhina maintained a respectful distance.

She could not forget the pain those three years had caused.

Krutika approached her.

"I know you can't forgive me."

Abhina replied calmly,

"Forgiveness takes time."

"I don't hate you anymore."

"But I cannot pretend nothing happened."

Krutika lowered her head.

"I understand."

---

Vedant refused to attend the wedding.

He told Aryan over the phone,

"I respect that you've moved on with your life."

"But I cannot celebrate a marriage with the woman whose lie destroyed my sister's home."

Aryan accepted his decision silently.

"I understand, son."

"I hope someday your anger lessens."

Vedant simply replied,

"Take care."

---

Little Vaishnabi had become the sunshine of everyone's life.

She was now three years old.

She adored calling Abhina,

"Abhi Maa!"

One evening she refused to stay at Roy Mansion.

"I want Abhi Maa!"

Mareena laughed.

"Again?"

Vaishnabi folded her tiny arms.

"I'll sleep only with Abhi Maa."

Abhinav smiled.

"It seems we've already lost custody."

Everyone laughed.

Soon Vaishnabi's tiny toys filled one corner of Hrithik's apartment.

She followed Hrithik everywhere.

"Hitu Papa!"

Hrithik chuckled.

"I'm Hritu Kaku (uncle), little one."

She shook her head stubbornly.

"No!"

"Hitu Papa!"

Abhina burst into laughter.

"I think you've lost this argument."

Hrithik sighed dramatically.

"I surrender again."

---

Months continued to pass.

Hrithik slowly regained strength.

His complexion improved.

His smile returned.

Although streaks of grey still remained in his hair, Abhina would often tease him.

"They make you look distinguished."

He smiled.

"Not old?"

She kissed his forehead.

"Never."

---

One evening at Roy Mansion...

Abhinav called Hrithik into his study.

"I've been thinking."

Hrithik sat quietly.

"I want to rebuild your business."

Hrithik immediately shook his head.

"No, Dada..."

"I've already taken too much from this family."

Abhinav interrupted firmly.

"No."

"You gave me life."

"You gave my daughter happiness."

"You protected this family."

"If today I help you stand again..."

"...it isn't charity."

"It's my duty as a father."

Hrithik's eyes filled with tears.

"I don't know how to repay you."

Abhinav smiled.

"You already have."

"You call me Baba now."

Hrithik lowered his head emotionally.

"Thank you... Baba."

---

Life gradually settled into a peaceful rhythm.

During the day...

Abhina argued confidently in court, taking on her first legal cases as a young advocate.

She worked hard to build her own reputation rather than relying on her father's name.

In the evenings...

She returned home to check Hrithik's medicines, discuss her cases with him, and spend time with Vaishnabi.

Sometimes Hrithik would patiently listen to her legal arguments before smiling proudly.

"My wife is becoming a better lawyer than I ever imagined."

Abhina laughed.

"And my husband is finally listening to his doctor."

---

Watching them together from Roy Mansion one evening, Mareena leaned against Abhinav.

"For the first time in many years..."

"...our family looks peaceful."

Abhinav smiled softly.

"We lost so much."

"But perhaps..."

"...this is finally our second chance."

Mareena rested her head on his shoulder.

"Let's protect it."

And for the first time in years, the Roy family looked toward the future—not with fear, but with hope.