Chapter 7: Breaking the Chains

I went downstairs. Rohan’s mother was perched on the sofa, eyes red from crying and rage. She clutched her pallu, voice trembling as she spat out her accusation:

“If you hadn’t urged my son to come back, he wouldn’t have driven into the river. You’re the one who killed my son!”

The living room reeked of sandalwood, Rohan’s photo before a flickering diya. A half-empty plate of laddoos sat untouched. Even now, in my old cotton salwar, hair uncombed, I felt the weight of her curses like stones.

Rohan was on a business trip; the day after his accident was supposed to be the day we tried on wedding saris. When I first heard he’d died, I forced myself to comfort his mother, despite my own grief. But she shoved me away: “You jinx, you killed my son!”

[Rich girls shouldn’t marry into unlucky families. Heroine, run while you’re still single!]

[She won’t run. The hero’s mom called her a husband-cursing star, and she still blamed herself. After being abused by this old witch, she’ll be abused by the fake-dead hero when he comes back.]

Rohan’s mother and I never got along. Before the accident, Rohan promised we wouldn’t live with her after marriage. But out of guilt, I let her vent at me. Now, I saw her hugging Rohan’s black-and-white photo. On a whim, I let out a cold laugh. She was instantly furious: “What are you laughing at?”

She jumped up, wanting to slap me. Amit rushed over to block her: “Aunty, calm down. Bhabhi is just too sad, her mind’s not right. Don’t take it to heart.” Kunal added: “Bhabhi, why don’t you apologise to Aunty?”

I slowly walked to her side. She turned her head away in disgust.

“No matter what you say, I won’t forgive you. You and my son were only engaged, not married. Don’t think you’ll get a paisa from his property.”

But I just bent down, whispered in her ear: “Your son deserved to die. When are you, you old witch, going to join him?”

She clutched her chest in anger and collapsed onto the sofa.

A gasp rippled through the room—someone dropped a steel tumbler, the clatter breaking the tension.

[Hahaha, the old witch got what she deserved. I’m waving a flag for the heroine! Let’s see who dares cross her now.]

[So satisfying, the heroine finally isn’t putting up with her anymore!]

The relatives crowded around Rohan’s mother. She pointed at me, hand shaking: “She really did kill my son. Kunal, call the police and have her arrested!”

[The hero’s mom is truly insane. No wonder she raised such a scummy son.]

[The heroine is finally standing up for herself, arrey, I’m so happy.]

[Hope the heroine really wakes up. I’m so worried she’ll just give in when the hero comes back...]

Tears filled my eyes. “Since Aunty hates me so much, I’ll just move out of the Rohan house.”

“Bhabhi, don’t say that in anger.”

I said: “Enough, don’t try to stop me. If I stay, she’ll only be more upset. I’ve already decided to move out.”

Kunal and Amit exchanged glances. Clearly, this wasn’t what they expected. Kunal went to the corner to message Rohan.