The Khanna Mansion had never felt this silent before. The same mansion once filled with Rudra Khanna’s commanding voice now carried nothing except grief.

White flowers covered every corner. Condolence messages kept arriving continuously. Businessmen. Politicians. Celebrities.

Everyone came to mourn the death of Rudra Khanna. But none of them could understand what his death truly meant to the boy standing silently beside the funeral pyre.

Tushar Khanna looked lifeless. His eyes were swollen from crying, yet not a single tear fell anymore. It was as if he had cried so much last night that even tears abandoned him. Dressed in plain white clothes, he mechanically accepted condolences from people he barely recognized.

“Stay strong.”

“Your father was a great man.”

“We’re here for you.”

The words sounded empty.

Because none of them were Rudra Khanna. A few steps behind him, Ira stood silently in a simple white saree. Her face looked pale from sleeplessness, but she continued handling everything calmly. Guests. Rituals. Media. Security. Everything. Just like she always handled Rudra Khanna’s chaos. Only this time… Rudra Khanna himself was missing. Suddenly whispers spread among a group nearby.

“That’s Rudra Khanna’s secretary, right?”

“I heard he trusted her more than anyone.”

“She stayed the entire night at the hospital.”

Ira ignored everything silently. She was used to people talking. But today she had no energy left to care. Her eyes unknowingly searched for Tushar again. And the sight broke her heart. He looked completely lost. Like someone took away the center of his life overnight. The priest’s voice interrupted the silence.

“It’s time.”

Tushar’s fingers tightened instantly. No. He wasn’t ready. How could anyone be ready to burn the person they loved the most? The priest handed him the fire torch slowly. Tushar stared at it blankly. His hands began trembling violently.

The memories attacked him all at once. His father teaching him how to ride a bicycle. His father waiting outside school during rain. His father cooking burnt pasta for him at midnight. Everything. Every single memory. Gone.

“Tushar…” Ira whispered softly from behind.

He looked at her for one second. And that single second revealed how shattered he truly was.

“I can’t do this,” he whispered helplessly.

Ira’s own eyes filled instantly. But she stepped closer quietly.

“You have to.”

His lips trembled badly.

“He’s my dad…”

“I know.”

Tushar looked toward the funeral pyre again. Then slowly… With trembling hands and broken breaths… He completed the final ritual. The moment flames surrounded Rudra Khanna’s body—

Something inside Tushar broke forever.

He immediately looked away, breathing heavily as tears finally escaped again. Ira instinctively held his arm before he could lose balance. And without realizing it… Tushar held her hand tightly. Very tightly. As if she was the only thing stopping him from collapsing completely.

People around them noticed. Whispers grew louder again. But neither of them cared. Because grief was bigger than society at this moment.

Hours later…

The mansion slowly emptied. Night had already fallen when Tushar finally entered his father’s room alone. The room still smelled like Rudra Khanna. His coat remained hanging near the chair. His glasses still rested beside unfinished files. Everything looked painfully normal. As if he would walk in any second.

Tushar slowly sat on the edge of the bed. Then picked up a family photos from the table. A young Rudra. A smiling Shriya. And a little child sleeping in Rudra’s arms. Tushar stared at it silently before finally breaking down again. This time completely alone.

Outside the half-open door, Ira stood frozen after witnessing everything. Her chest tightened painfully. Because she understood this loneliness too well. After a few seconds, she quietly turned to leave.

But suddenly—

“Tushar sir.”

Both of them looked up. Rudra Khanna’s old lawyer stood there holding a sealed file.

“There’s something Mr. Rudra Khanna left behind for both of you.”

The entire room fell silent. Tushar slowly wiped his tears and looked toward the lawyer standing near the door.

“What is it?” his voice came out cold and exhausted.

The old lawyer stepped inside carefully, holding the sealed brown file tightly.

“Mr. Rudra Khanna prepared this before the surgery,” he spoke softly. “He instructed me to hand it over only if…”

He stopped mid-sentence. Because nobody had the courage to complete those words anymore. Tushar lowered his gaze. Only if he died. The lawyer placed the file carefully on the table.

“There’s a video recording, legal documents, and Mr. Khanna’s final will.”

Ira’s heart tightened instantly. She already knew what those documents contained. Or at least part of it. Tushar slowly stood up from the bed and opened the file silently. His eyes scanned the papers carelessly at first… But suddenly his expression froze. His fingers tightened around the document.

Marriage Agreement.Between: Tushar Khanna

and Ira Sharma.

The room’s air became unbearably heavy. Tushar looked up slowly. Straight at Ira. She immediately lowered her eyes.

“I didn’t ask for this,” she whispered softly before he could misunderstand.

Silence. Painful silence. Then Tushar suddenly laughed bitterly. Of course. Even after death… Rudra Khanna was still protecting his son.

The lawyer cleared his throat carefully.

“Mr. Khanna transferred sixty percent shares of the Khanna Empire under joint authority until Mr. Tushar Khanna turns twenty-one.”

Tushar frowned slightly.

“What does that mean?”

The lawyer answered carefully, “It means legally the company decisions will require both your and Miss Ira Sharma’s approval.”

Tushar stared blankly. His father trusted Ira so much… That he handed her half the control of his empire. Not relatives. Not board members. Not business partners. Her.

The lawyer continued softly, “Mr. Khanna feared that after his death, enemies or shareholders might manipulate you due to your age.”

Tushar’s jaw tightened. He hated hearing people indirectly call him immature. But deep inside… He knew his father wasn’t wrong. He was only seventeen. And the business world surrounding Rudra Khanna was dangerous enough to destroy people alive.

The lawyer slowly handed another envelope toward him.

“He also left a personal letter for you.”

Tushar took it silently.

The moment he recognized his father’s handwriting… His chest tightened again. With trembling fingers, he opened the letter.

My son,

If you’re reading this, then fate ignored my prayers.

First… forgive me.

Forgive me for leaving you alone so early.

I know you’re angry right now. Confused too.

Especially about Ira.

But believe me, Tushar… I made this decision only because I know this world better than you.

After my death, people won’t see you as my son anymore.

They’ll see you as a weak heir to control.

And the only person I trust enough to stand beside you is Ira.

She stayed when nobody else did.

She protected this family without asking for anything in return.

You may not understand my decision today.

But one day… you will.

Take care of yourself.

And don’t stop smiling completely.

— Dad.

By the time Tushar finished reading… His vision had blurred completely. He quickly looked away and clenched the paper tightly. Because losing his father once wasn’t enough. Now even his last words were breaking him again.

The lawyer quietly left the room, understanding they needed privacy. Silence returned. Heavy. Awkward. Painful.

Tushar stood near the table while Ira remained near the door. Neither knew what to say anymore. Finally…

“I’ll refuse the marriage.”

Tushar’s sudden voice made Ira look up immediately. His expression remained cold, exhausted, broken.

“You don’t deserve to get trapped in this mess because of me.”

Ira stared at him silently.

Then after a few seconds, she spoke softly.

“But your father trusted me with you.”

Tushar’s eyes instantly hardened with pain again.

“That’s the problem,” he whispered. “He trusted you so much… that now I don’t even know how to say no to his last wish.”

Tushar’s words lingered heavily in the room.

“I don’t even know how to say no to his last wish.”

Ira quietly looked down at the floor. Neither of them wanted this marriage. Not like this. Not under grief. Not because of death.

But Rudra Khanna’s final wish now stood between them like an unbreakable promise. After a few moments, Ira finally spoke softly.

“You don’t have to decide anything right now.”

Tushar gave a tired laugh.

“Everyone keeps saying that… but everything is already decided for me.”

His voice carried frustration now. Pain. Exhaustion. He suddenly ran a hand through his hair and looked away.

“Yesterday I had a father.”

His throat tightened badly.

“And today people are talking about my marriage… company shares… responsibilities…”

He laughed again bitterly.

“I don’t even know how to breathe without him yet.”

Ira’s eyes filled instantly hearing that. Because beneath the Khanna surname… He was still just a grieving boy.

“Tushar—”

“Did you agree?” he suddenly asked.

She froze. Slowly, he turned toward her.

“When Dad asked you…” his voice became quieter now. “Did you agree immediately?”

Ira remained silent for a few seconds before answering honestly.

“No.”

Tushar’s eyes stayed fixed on her.

“I refused.”

Something inside him loosened slightly hearing that.

“At first,” she continued softly. “But your father was scared for you.”

Tushar lowered his gaze.

“He always worried too much.”

“He loved you too much.”

The room fell silent again. Then suddenly Tushar whispered something so softly that Ira almost didn’t hear it.

“I’m scared.”

Her eyes instantly lifted toward him. For the first time since Rudra’s death… The strong mask cracked completely.

“What if I fail him?” Tushar asked brokenly. “What if I destroy everything he built?”

“You won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you’re Rudra Khanna’s son.”

Tushar looked at her silently. And strangely… For the first time today, those words didn’t feel like pressure. They felt comforting.

A soft knock interrupted them. One of the house staff stepped inside nervously.

“Sir… board members have arrived.”

Tushar’s face hardened immediately.

“Right now?”

“They said it’s urgent.”

Of course it was. Rudra Khanna’s death hadn’t even been twenty-four hours old… And already the business vultures arrived. Tushar clenched his jaw tightly.

“I’m not meeting anyone.”

The staff hesitated nervously. “But sir—”

“I said no.”

The man quickly nodded and left. The moment the door closed, Tushar exhaled shakily and sat down on the couch heavily.

“I can’t do this.”

Ira quietly walked toward the table and picked up Rudra Khanna’s watch lying there. Then she placed it gently in front of Tushar. His eyes immediately fell on it.

“This belonged to your father,” she said softly. “And one day… everything he protected will belong to you too.”

Tushar stared silently at the watch.

“I know you’re hurting,” Ira continued quietly. “But right now your enemies are waiting for you to break.”

His eyes slowly darkened hearing that. Because deep inside… He knew she was right. Rudra Khanna’s death was not just a family tragedy. It was a signal to dangerous people. Weakness. Opportunity. Attack.

Tushar slowly picked up his father’s watch with trembling fingers. Then after a long silence… He wore it on his wrist. Exactly where Rudra Khanna always wore it. Ira noticed the small action silently.

And somehow…

For the first time since the funeral, Tushar no longer looked like a lost child. He looked like Rudra Khanna’s son. Tushar stared silently at the watch on his wrist. Rudra Khanna’s watch. It still felt unreal. Like his father would walk inside any second and ask for it back. The silence between them remained heavy until Ira finally spoke softly.

“You don’t have to decide about the marriage yet.”

Tushar looked up at her tiredly.

“Your father said the papers will only be finalized after you turn Twenty-one,” she continued calmly. “Until then… nothing will happen.”

For a moment, relief crossed his face. But it disappeared just as quickly.

“Do you really think the board members will wait till then?” he asked bitterly.

Ira fell silent. Because they both knew the answer. No. The corporate world never waited for grief. Or age. Or broken hearts. Especially not when the Khanna Empire was involved. Tushar leaned back against the couch and laughed weakly.

“They probably already think I’m too immature to handle the company.”

“They don’t think,” Ira corrected quietly. “They know.”

His eyes instantly lifted toward her. Normally anyone speaking to Rudra Khanna’s son like that would be thrown out immediately. But Ira simply continued calmly.

“You’re seventeen, emotional, inexperienced, and grieving. To them, you’re vulnerable.”

Tushar clenched his jaw.

“I hate when people underestimate me.”

“And your father knew that.”

She stepped closer slowly.

“That’s why he put me beside you.”

Tushar looked away again. The truth irritated him because it was impossible to deny. He knew nothing about board politics. Nothing about dangerous shareholders. Nothing about the enemies waiting outside. Rudra Khanna protected him from everything his entire life.

And now suddenly…

He was standing alone in the middle of a battlefield. A soft knock interrupted the silence again. This time the head butler entered nervously.

“Sir… the board members are refusing to leave.”

Tushar closed his eyes frustratingly. Of course they weren’t leaving. One day. His father had been dead for one single day. And already they were circling around the empire like vultures.

“What do they want?” he asked coldly.

The butler hesitated.

“They’re demanding clarification about the company’s future leadership.”

Tushar gave a humorless smile.

“Translation?”

“They want to know who controls the empire now.”

Silence filled the room again. Slowly, Tushar stood up. His exhausted eyes shifted toward the large mirror nearby. For the first time, he truly looked at himself. Seventeen years old. Red eyes from crying. Hands still trembling slightly. And yet the world expected him to become Rudra Khanna overnight. Impossible. Completely impossible.

Then suddenly—

“I’ll go with you.”

Tushar looked toward Ira. She stood calm despite the exhaustion visible on her face.

“No,” he answered immediately. “You’ve already done enough.”

“Your father trusted me with this company too.”

The reminder hit hard again. Tushar sighed quietly.

“You really won’t leave, will you?”

For the first time since Rudra’s death… A faint, almost invisible smile appeared on Ira’s lips.

“No.”

Something strange settled inside Tushar hearing that. Not comfort exactly. But maybe… Less loneliness. He looked down at his father’s watch once again before speaking quietly.

“Fine.”

Then slowly, Rudra Khanna’s son straightened his posture. And together… They walked toward the battlefield waiting downstairs. The moment Tushar stepped downstairs, the entire mansion fell silent.

The large living hall was filled with men in expensive suits, senior board members, shareholders, and legal advisors of the Khanna Empire. The same people who once stood respectfully behind Rudra Khanna… Now looked at his seventeen-year-old son with calculating eyes.

Tushar noticed it immediately. Doubt. Judgment. Pity. It burned his chest. Beside him, Ira walked calmly, her expression unreadable as always. The moment some board members noticed her beside Tushar, whispers instantly started.

“Why is she here?”

“Rudra trusted her too much.”

“I heard he transferred authority to her.”

Tushar’s jaw tightened hearing them.

One of the senior board members, Mr. Malhotra, finally stood up with a fake sympathetic expression.

“Tushar beta…” he sighed dramatically. “We’re deeply saddened by Mr. Khanna’s passing.”

Tushar gave a small nod.

“But,” the man continued carefully, “the company cannot run emotionally. We need immediate clarity regarding leadership.”

Straight to business. Not even twenty-four hours after Rudra’s funeral. Tushar suddenly understood why his father never trusted these people. Another board member adjusted his glasses before speaking.

“With all due respect… you’re still very young.”

There it was. Young. Immature. Inexperienced.

Tushar slowly looked toward the man.

“And?”

The board members exchanged glances.

Mr. Malhotra cleared his throat. “The Khanna Empire handles projects worth thousands of crores. Such responsibility requires maturity and experience.”

Translation: You are not capable.

Before Tushar could answer, another man suddenly spoke while glancing toward Ira.

“Perhaps until Tushar becomes an adult, temporary authority should be handed to senior board members.”

Ira’s eyes instantly narrowed slightly. And Tushar understood immediately. This was their plan. Control the empire before he turned twenty-one. Because once  Rudra’s will became public… Their influence would weaken.

The room remained tense until Ira finally stepped forward calmly.

“Mr. Rudra Khanna already finalized legal authority before his death.”

Everyone looked toward her instantly. Her voice remained steady.

“The company will continue functioning under joint supervision exactly as instructed in his will.”

One board member scoffed lightly.

“And who exactly are you to make those decisions, Miss Sharma?”

The insult hidden beneath his words was obvious. Just a secretary. Nothing more.

But before Ira could respond—

“She’s the person my father trusted more than all of you combined.”

The entire hall fell silent. Everyone looked toward Tushar in surprise. Even Ira herself looked slightly startled. Tushar stepped forward slowly now, his expression colder than before.

“My father built this empire himself,” he continued calmly. “And unlike some people here, he didn’t make decisions emotionally.”

The indirect insult landed perfectly. Several faces stiffened instantly.

Mr. Malhotra forced a smile.

“Tushar beta, we’re only worried about your future.”

“No,” Tushar answered quietly. “You’re worried about control.”

Silence.

Sharp.

Dangerous silence.

For the first time since Rudra’s death… People started seeing glimpses of Rudra Khanna inside his son.

Not in age.

Not in experience.

But in presence.

Tushar slowly looked around the room.

“I know what everyone thinks,” he spoke calmly. “That I’m young. Emotional. Weak.”

No one answered.

Because it was true.

He was all those things right now.

But then his eyes darkened slightly.

“But if you think my father raised me without teaching me how to recognize greedy people…”

His unfinished sentence alone was enough. The tension in the room became suffocating. Ira silently watched him from the side.

And for the first time…

She realized something. Tushar Khanna may still be grieving. May still be young. But the blood of Rudra Khanna truly ran inside him.