THE UNWANTED DAUGHTER -IN- LAW

The dining hall of Sharma Mansion was silent. Only the sound of expensive cutlery on china plates. Aanya sat at the far end of the 20-seat table. Her simple cotton saree looked out of place among the silk and diamonds. "Mrs. Sharma," Mrs. Kavita Sharma's voice cut through the silence like ice. "Sign the papers." She pushed a folder across the marble table. Inside were Divorce Papers. Aanya's hands trembled. "Maa... I mean, Mother. Please. Give me one more chance. I can change." Kavita laughed coldly. "Change? A school teacher's daughter? Into a Sharma?" She stood up. Her diamond bangles made a harsh sound. "You are an embarrassment to this family. To my son Rohan." Rohan, sitting beside his mother, did not look at Aanya. He was busy on his phone. CEO of Sharma Industries. 28 years old. And completely silent. "Rohan, say something," Aanya whispered. Tears fell on the white tablecloth. He finally looked up. His eyes were cold. "Just sign it, Aanya. It's better for everyone." The word hit her harder than any slap. Better for everyone. Except her. Aanya picked up the pen. Her signature was shaky but clear: Aanya Sharma. "Good," Kavita snatched the papers. "The servants will pack your things. You have one hour to leave this house. This mansion. This family." One hour. After 2 years of marriage. Aanya stood up. She did not cry. Not anymore. As she walked out of the dining hall, she heard Kavita say to Rohan, "Finally. Now we can find you a bride from a good family." Outside the huge iron gates, Aanya had nothing. No money. No home. Only the clothes on her back and 200 rupees in her purse. She looked back at the mansion one last time. "One day," she whispered to herself. "One day you will regret this." 5 YEARS LATER... The news channel on the TV in the airport lounge screamed: "BREAKING: Youngest Self-Made Billionaire Returns to India! Aanya Enterprises CEO Aanya Mehra to acquire Sharma Industries!" Aanya, now 29, walked in a navy blue power suit. Her hair was cut short. Her eyes were no longer soft. They were fire. She smiled to the camera. "I am home." To Be Continued...