Supriya stood at the balcony of their luxurious penthouse, staring out at the city skyline. The view was breathtaking, but it did little to soothe the emptiness that had begun to gnaw at her heart. It had been five years since she and Nishikant had gotten married, and their lives had changed dramatically.

Nishikant had become a successful businessman, his drive to earn more and more money propelling him to the top of the corporate ladder. Their home was filled with all the trappings of wealth—designer furniture, expensive art, and the latest gadgets. Supriya, too, had embraced this new lifestyle, spending her days at kitty parties, shopping sprees, and spa treatments. Yet, despite the luxury surrounding her, she felt a deep sense of loneliness.

Gone were the days when they would spend hours talking, laughing, and dreaming about their future together. Now, Nishikant was rarely home, and when he was, he was preoccupied with his business dealings. Their conversations had become sparse and superficial, their once vibrant connection now a mere shadow of what it used to be.

Supriya and Nishikant’s wedding had been a dream come true. Surrounded by family and friends, they had vowed to love and cherish each other for eternity. In the beginning, they had done just that. But as Nishikant's business grew, so did the distance between them. His relentless pursuit of success left little room for anything else, and Supriya found solace in the glittering social scene of kitty parties and shopping sprees.

Years passed, and the penthouse they called home became a silent witness to their drifting apart. Nishikant spent his days in boardrooms and his nights in the office, while Supriya filled her time with lavish gatherings and retail therapy. They were like two strangers living under the same roof, their once vibrant connection now reduced to polite exchanges and empty smiles.

One evening, Supriya returned home from a particularly extravagant party, her laughter fading as she stepped into the empty penthouse. She glanced at the clock, noting that it was well past midnight. Nishikant was still not home. With a sigh, she made her way to the bedroom, her heart heavy with the weight of their fading love.

As she prepared for bed, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from Rajiv, a charming and attentive man she had met at one of the kitty parties. He was everything Nishikant had once been—kind, attentive, and always ready to listen. She knew it was wrong, but the loneliness had become unbearable.

"Missed you tonight. Wish we could have spent more time together," the message read.

Supriya hesitated, guilt gnawing at her. But she replied, "I missed you too."

Meanwhile, Nishikant was at his office, his eyes tired from staring at the computer screen for hours. He glanced at the framed photo of him and Supriya on his desk. They looked so happy, so in love. He wondered where it had all gone wrong.

His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a message from Anika, a vibrant young woman who worked in the marketing department. She had been a breath of fresh air in his otherwise monotonous life, her laughter and enthusiasm reigniting a spark he hadn’t felt in years.

"Are you still at the office? You work too hard," the message read.

Nishikant smiled, his heart warming at her concern. "Just wrapping up. How about a late dinner?" he replied.

As Supriya and Nishikant drifted further apart, they found comfort in the arms of others, each seeking what they had lost in their marriage.

The following months brought a whirlwind of emotions. Supriya and Rajiv grew closer, their secret rendezvous filling the void that had formed in her heart. Rajiv made her feel alive again, his attention and affection a stark contrast to the cold indifference she felt from Nishikant.

One afternoon, as Supriya lay in Rajiv’s arms, she confided in him about her marriage. "We used to be so happy," she said, tears brimming in her eyes. "But now it feels like we’re just going through the motions."

Rajiv stroked her hair, his voice soothing. "You deserve to be happy, Supriya. If Nishikant can’t see that, then maybe it’s time to move on."

His words echoed in her mind as she returned home. Nishikant was sitting in the living room, his laptop open on his lap. He looked up briefly, offering a half-hearted smile before returning to his work. The sight made Supriya’s heart ache. How had they ended up like this?

Meanwhile, Nishikant and Anika’s relationship had also deepened. Anika’s youthful exuberance and genuine interest in him made Nishikant feel seen and appreciated. One evening, as they shared a quiet dinner at a secluded restaurant, Nishikant found himself opening up to her in ways he hadn’t with Supriya in years.

"I feel like I’ve lost myself," he admitted. "My work has consumed everything, and in the process, I’ve lost the woman I love."

Anika reached across the table, taking his hand in hers. "It’s never too late to find yourself again, Nishikant. And you don’t have to do it alone."

Their affair became a refuge from the emptiness of their marriages, a place where they could escape the harsh realities of their lives. But as the days turned into weeks, the guilt of their actions began to weigh heavily on their hearts.

One evening, Supriya and Nishikant found themselves at a charity gala, a rare occasion where they had to attend together. They arrived separately, each accompanied by their respective partners. The sight of Nishikant with Anika stirred a storm of emotions within Supriya. She watched as they laughed and chatted, their connection painfully evident.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Rajiv noticed her distress and gently squeezed her hand. "You don’t have to do this," he whispered. "We can leave."

But Supriya shook her head, determination shining in her eyes. "No, I need to face this."

As the evening wore on, Nishikant couldn’t help but notice Supriya with Rajiv. Seeing her smile and laugh with another man ignited a fire of jealousy and regret within him. He realized how much he missed her, how much he still loved her despite everything.

During a quiet moment, Nishikant approached Supriya. "Can we talk?" he asked, his voice strained.

Supriya nodded, following him to a secluded corner of the venue. They stood in awkward silence, the weight of their unspoken words hanging between them.

"I miss us," Nishikant finally said, his voice breaking. "I miss the way we used to be."

Tears filled Supriya’s eyes. "I miss us too, Nishikant. But we’ve both changed so much. I don’t know if we can ever go back."

"We can’t go back," he agreed. "But maybe we can start over. I’m willing to try if you are."

Supriya looked into his eyes, searching for the sincerity she had once known. For the first time in months, she saw a glimmer of hope. "I’m willing to try too," she whispered.

They returned to their respective partners, the conversation leaving them both with a lot to think about. That night, as Supriya lay in bed, she realized that the road to healing their relationship would be long and difficult. But for the first time, she felt a flicker of hope that they might find their way back to each other.

Years passed, and Supriya and Nishikant’s lives saw many changes. They became parents to two wonderful children, Aarav and Aanya. Their home was once again filled with laughter and love, and the bond between Supriya and Nishikant grew stronger. Nishikant's dedication to his family became as unwavering as his commitment to his business, and for a while, it seemed like they had found their happily ever after.

But fate had other plans. On a rainy evening, as Nishikant was driving home from a business meeting, a tragic accident took his life. Supriya's world shattered in an instant. The man who had been her partner, her anchor, and her love was gone, leaving her to navigate the tumultuous waters of life alone.

The days following Nishikant’s death were a blur of grief and despair. Supriya’s once comfortable life was quickly overshadowed by financial struggles. The business, which had flourished under Nishikant's leadership, began to falter. Bills piled up, and Supriya found herself sinking into a sea of debt. Poverty, which had once been a distant memory, now loomed over them once more.

Despite her grief and the overwhelming challenges, Supriya knew she had to stay strong for her children. Aarav and Aanya were her world, and she vowed to provide for them no matter what. She took on multiple jobs, working tirelessly to ensure they had everything they needed. The luxurious penthouse was replaced by a modest apartment, but Supriya made it a home filled with love and warmth.

As the years passed, Aarav and Aanya grew into bright, compassionate young adults. Aarav was a responsible and caring brother, while Aanya inherited her mother's resilience and grace. They understood the sacrifices their mother made and were determined to make her proud.

One day, Aanya came home with a light in her eyes that Supriya hadn’t seen in a long time. She sat down with her mother, her hands trembling with excitement.

"Mom, there’s something I need to tell you," Aanya said, her voice filled with anticipation. "I’ve met someone. His name is Rohan, and he’s wonderful. He’s kind, intelligent, and he makes me so happy."

Supriya’s heart swelled with joy for her daughter. "Tell me more about him," she urged.

Aanya smiled, her eyes sparkling. "He’s my friend Priya’s brother. You know, Priya from my school days. Rohan is her elder brother. He’s a successful architect, and his family is very well-off. But more than that, he’s genuine and caring. I think I’m falling in love with him, Mom."

Supriya’s joy was tempered with concern. She knew how difficult life could be, and she wanted to protect her daughter from the pain she had endured. "Are you sure about this, Aanya? Love is a beautiful thing, but it can also be challenging. I just want you to be happy and safe."

Aanya nodded, her expression resolute. "I know, Mom. But Rohan is different. He understands me, and he’s supportive. I want you to meet him."

A few days later, Supriya met Rohan. He was everything Aanya had described and more. His respectful demeanor and genuine affection for Aanya reassured Supriya. She saw the way he looked at her daughter, with the same love and admiration that Nishikant had once shown her.

However, as the relationship between Aanya and Rohan deepened, so did the complications. Priya, Rohan’s sister and Aanya’s childhood friend, was thrilled about their relationship. But Rohan’s parents were less enthusiastic. They were a wealthy and influential family, and they had different expectations for their son’s future.

One evening, Rohan’s parents invited Supriya and Aanya to their home for dinner. Supriya felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach as they arrived at the lavish mansion. The grandeur of the place reminded her of the life she once had with Nishikant.

During dinner, the conversation was polite but strained. Rohan’s mother, Mrs. Kapoor, finally addressed the elephant in the room.

"Supriya, Aanya, we’ve come to understand that you’ve been through a lot. Losing Mr. Nishikant must have been incredibly difficult, and we respect your resilience," she began, her tone clipped and formal. "However, our son has a bright future ahead of him, and we have certain expectations for the kind of life he will lead."

Supriya’s heart sank, but she remained composed. "I understand your concerns, Mrs. Kapoor. But I assure you, Aanya and I are not looking for charity or a way to climb the social ladder. We value love, respect, and mutual support above all else."

Rohan’s father, Mr. Kapoor, interjected. "We don’t doubt your values, Supriya. But we have to think about our family’s reputation and future. Aanya, while she seems like a lovely girl, comes from a background that doesn’t align with our expectations."

Aanya felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she held them back. "I love Rohan, and he loves me. We want to build a life together based on our values, not just societal expectations."

The tension in the room was palpable. Supriya reached out to hold Aanya’s hand, drawing strength from her daughter’s bravery.

Rohan, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "I love Aanya, and I want to spend my life with her. Our backgrounds might be different, but our love and commitment to each other are what matter. I hope you can understand and support us."

Mrs. Kapoor looked at her son, her expression softening slightly. "We just want what’s best for you, Rohan. We want you to be happy, but we also want to ensure that you’re making the right decision."

Rohan nodded. "I appreciate that, Mom. But Aanya is my happiness. I hope you can accept that."

The dinner ended on a tense note, with no clear resolution. Supriya and Aanya left feeling both hopeful and anxious about the future.

In the days that followed, Supriya couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty. She wanted her daughter to be happy, but she also knew the challenges that lay ahead. She confided in Priya, hoping for some guidance.