She was leaving me.
She was taking our child and leaving me.
And I had no idea how to stop her.
Chapter 26
Viya
I had been staying at Puneet's apartment for two weeks now. Two weeks of silence. Two weeks of trying to process the shattered pieces of my life and figure out how to put them back together into something that made sense.
Armaan had been there at the hospital on my discharge day. I had seen him standing in the parking lot, watching as Puneet helped me into the car. Our eyes had met for just a moment, and I had seen something raw and desperate in his expression.
But he had not tried to stop me. Had not said anything. Had just stood there and watched me leave.
It was better this way, I told myself. Better to make a clean break. Better to end this before it caused any more pain.
The day after I left the hospital, I had met with a lawyer. Mahesh Sharma, a kind older man with a reputation for handling sensitive family cases. I sat in his office and told him everything. About the arranged marriage. About the prophecy. About discovering the truth.
He had listened carefully, taking notes, his expression growing more troubled with each detail.
"This is a clear case of fraud and misrepresentation," he said when I finished. "You were not given full disclosure about the terms and intent of the marriage. We can absolutely file for divorce on these grounds."
So I signed the papers. Authorized him to proceed. And tried not to think about the fact that I was ending my marriage to the man I had fallen in love with.
The divorce petition was sent to Armaan a week ago. The law required him to respond within thirty days. But his lawyer had filed an immediate response, contesting the divorce and requesting a hearing.
Which was why I was now standing outside the Family Court, my hands trembling slightly as I clutched my bag.
Mahesh placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"Remember, Mrs. Khanna, you do not have to say anything unless the judge asks you directly. I will handle all the arguments. Just stay calm."
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
We walked through the heavy doors into the courthouse. The hallways were crowded with people, other couples ending their marriages, lawyers in black robes carrying stacks of files, court staff moving purposefully between rooms.
Our case was assigned to Courtroom 3. We found it and entered.
Armaan was already there.
He was sitting at the respondent's table with his lawyer, a sharp looking woman in an expensive suit. But I barely noticed her. My entire focus was drawn to Armaan like a magnet.
He looked different. Thinner, maybe. There were dark circles under his eyes that had not been there before. His suit was immaculate as always, but something about him seemed less polished. More worn.
He turned as we entered, and our eyes met across the courtroom.
The intensity in his gaze made my breath catch. There was no coldness there, no distance. Just raw emotion. Pain and longing and determination all mixed together.
I looked away quickly and followed Mahesh to our table on the left side of the room.
A few minutes later, the clerk called out, "All rise. The Honorable Judge Meera Desai presiding."
We all stood as the judge entered, a woman in her fifties with graying hair pulled back in a neat bun and intelligent, assessing eyes. She settled into her chair and opened the file in front of her.
"Please be seated. Case number 2347 of 2026, Viya Mehra versus Armaan Khanna, petition for divorce. Petitioner's counsel, please present your arguments."
Mahesh stood, adjusting his robes.
