Chapter 5 5

"Excuse me! Is anyone home?"

The deep, hoarse voice echoed through the front yard of Leonard's grand villa.

Drizzles of rain dampened the driveway, filling the air with cold and mist.

A middle-aged man stood before the tall iron gate. His clothes were plain, his face weary, and his eyes red from holding back tears.

It was Mr. Darman - Aruna's father - the man who had spent months searching for his daughter who had vanished without a trace.

The security guard eyed him warily. "Who are you, sir?"

"I... I'm Aruna's father," he said shakily. "Please... tell her her father is here. I just want to see my daughter, to know she's alright."

The guards exchanged glances, then one nodded. "Wait here, sir. I'll let them know."

Mr. Darman nodded, clutching his hat tightly to his chest, his hands trembling.

> "Aruna... my child, I hope you really are happy like people say," he whispered faintly.

Meanwhile, Leonard had just stepped out of his car with Aruna when one of the guards approached.

"Sir, sorry to interrupt. There's a man at the gate who claims to be Madam's father. He's waiting outside."

Aruna froze.

"Father?" her voice trembled.

Without another word, she ran toward the entrance, ignoring the rain that was now pouring harder.

"Aruna, wait!" Leonard called out, but she didn't stop.

When the gate swung open, Mr. Darman looked up, eyes glistening with tears.

"Aruna... my child..."

"Oh God..." Aruna covered her mouth, tears spilling instantly.

"Father...?"

They ran toward each other and embraced tightly in the rain, their sobs breaking through the sound of thunder.

> "You disappeared without a word... I thought you- you were gone..."

"I'm sorry, Dad... I'm so sorry... I just needed time, I-"

But their brief joy was shattered by the sound of an engine stopping behind them.

A black car halted near the gate, its door slammed open- and out stepped Revan, his face twisted with rage.

"So it's true," he said coldly. "You're living here. Living comfortably off another man's money, huh, Aruna?"

Aruna spun around, fury burning in her eyes.

> "Revan! You have no right to be here!"

Revan sneered, glancing at the old man beside her.

"And who's this? Oh... your father? I heard he was the one who kept you from working out of town before. No wonder his daughter ended up like this."

Mr. Darman's face hardened.

"Watch your mouth, son. You have no idea what my daughter has gone through."

Revan let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Oh, I know. She's always been good at pretending to be innocent. Look at her now-married to a rich man, parading her happiness. How ironic."

> "Enough!" Aruna shouted, stepping forward, eyes blazing. "I won't let you talk to me like that again!"

But Revan's temper flared out of control.

He jabbed a finger at her face. "You think marrying Leonard erases your past? You're nothing but-"

Mr. Darman interrupted, his voice firm. "Stop talking to my daughter that way!"

Revan turned to him, smirking. "And who are you to tell me what to do? An old man who couldn't even protect his own daughter?"

Slap!

The sound cracked through the rain - Mr. Darman's hand across Revan's face.

But Revan struck back brutally, his fist landing hard against the old man's jaw.

Mr. Darman fell to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his lips.

> "FATHER!!!"

Aruna's scream pierced the air. She dropped to her knees beside him, cradling his face in her shaking hands as tears mixed with rain.

Leonard, who had just reached the steps, froze. His eyes darkened with fury. But before he could move, Aruna stood up.

Her expression was no longer that of a broken woman-

but of someone ready to fight back.

She strode toward Revan.

"Aruna, don't-" Leonard called out, but it was too late.

Slap!

Her hand struck Revan's cheek-hard. Then again, harder.

Revan's head snapped to the side, his face stunned.

> "You already destroyed my life once," Aruna shouted, voice cracking with emotion,

"and now you dare lay a hand on my family?!"

The entire courtyard fell silent.

Guards, maids, even Leonard-all stood frozen, watching her fury ignite.

Revan clenched his jaw. "Aruna, you don't know what you're doing-"

"No, you don't know what you're doing!" Aruna took a step closer, eyes blazing.

> "You took my trust, my love, and my child. And now you dare to insult my father? Not this time, Revan. Not ever again."

Revan lowered his gaze, his face twisting between shame and anger.

Some passersby who had stopped near the villa began whispering; a few even raised their phones, recording.

Leonard stepped forward, standing firmly beside Aruna.

> "I think that's enough, Revan," he said flatly, his voice cold as steel.

"If you still have a shred of dignity left, leave-before I make you regret it."

Revan glared at both of them, hatred flickering in his eyes.

"This isn't over," he hissed before storming into his car and driving away.

---

The rain kept falling. Aruna knelt beside her father again, holding him close.

Mr. Darman smiled faintly, brushing her wet cheek with a trembling hand.

> "You're strong now, my daughter. I'm proud of you."

Aruna grasped his hand tightly, her tears falling onto his.

"I'm sorry, Dad... I came back too late."

Leonard approached, taking off his jacket to drape it over Mr. Darman's shoulders.

He looked at Aruna quietly before saying softly,

> "You don't need to cry for your past anymore, Aruna. It's time to fight back-not hide."

Aruna looked from Leonard to her father's frail smile, her heart trembling-

not with pain this time, but with resolve.

She lifted her gaze toward the stormy sky, her voice quiet yet unwavering:

> "No more tears. This time, I'll seal every wound... not with sorrow, but with my own strength."