The atmosphere around the table had shifted slightly after Adiraj's remarriage was revealed. The easy laughter from earlier had faded, and Janvi, who had been so involved in every conversation until then, had grown unusually quiet. She no longer laughed at Vikram's ridiculous jokes or joined Abhinav whenever he teased someone. Instead, she kept her attention mostly on her plate, speaking only when someone directly addressed her.

The change hadn't escaped Prithvi's notice. Every now and then, he glanced toward his sister, and whenever their eyes met, he gave her a small, reassuring look. He had known about Janvi's feelings for Adiraj for years. During the time Adiraj had been studying in the city and frequently visiting their mansion, Janvi had always somehow found a reason to appear wherever he was. If he sat in the living room, she would find something to do there. If he wandered toward the kitchen, she would suddenly have a reason to follow. Prithvi had noticed all of it long before Janvi had ever admitted anything.