The meeting ended with forced smiles and hidden frustration. One by one, the board members left the mansion, but the tension they left behind still lingered heavily in the air. Tushar stood silently near the staircase, watching them leave.
The moment the main doors closed-
His shoulders finally relaxed slightly. He was exhausted. Emotionally. Mentally. Physically. Everything since yesterday felt unreal.
Rudra Khanna's death. The will. The marriage. The company. It all happened too fast.
"You handled that well."
Ira's calm voice broke the silence. Tushar looked toward her quietly.
"You sound surprised."
"For someone attending his first board confrontation?" she answered honestly. "A little."
A weak smile almost appeared on his face before disappearing again. He leaned tiredly against the railing.
"They still think I'm a child."
"They're not completely wrong."
Tushar narrowed his eyes instantly. "You really enjoy saying that, don't you?"
Ira crossed her arms calmly. "Truth doesn't change just because you dislike hearing it."
For the first time since Rudra's death... Tushar actually felt something close to normal irritation. And strangely... It helped. The silence between them became less painful now. Less suffocating.
But suddenly footsteps echoed through the hall again.
"Tushar sir."
The head butler approached nervously while holding a tablet.
"Media reporters are outside."
Tushar frowned immediately.
"What now?"
The butler hesitated slightly before answering.
"They somehow found out about Mr. Khanna's will."
Ira's expression changed instantly.
"That was fast."
"Sir..." the butler swallowed nervously. "They're asking why Mr. Khanna transfer his 60% ownership to Miss. Sharma."
Silence. Complete silence. Tushar slowly turned toward Ira. Ira looked equally tense now. Because once the news spread... Nothing would remain private anymore. Tushar suddenly laughed bitterly.
"My father made sure to shake everything up before he left."
"No media statement yet," Ira answered immediately. "We'll handle it carefully."
Tushar looked toward the large mansion doors where camera flashes were already visible from outside.
Then slowly...
He looked back at her.
"What exactly are we supposed to tell people?"
Neither answered. Because there was no normal explanation for this situation. A seventeen-year-old heir. His older secretary. Suddenly another staff member rushed downstairs anxiously.
"Sir... social media is already exploding."
The tablet screen was handed toward Tushar.
Headlines flashed continuously:
RUDRA KHANNA'S SECRETARY IS ABOUT TO BECOME OWNER OF HIS BUSINESS?
WHY DID HE TRANSFER HIS HALF OF PROPERTY TO HIS SECRETARY?
WHO IS IRA SHARMA?
Tushar's jaw tightened instantly. Then his eyes fell on another headline.
GOLD DIGGER SECRETARY CONTROLS KHANNA EMPIRE
His expression darkened immediately.
Before anyone realized-
He snatched the tablet angrily.
"Enough!"
"Tushar-"
"They don't know anything," he snapped emotionally. "They didn't see Dad begging for my safety!"
His breathing became uneven again.
"And now they're insulting you because of me."
Ira remained calm despite the pain visible in her eyes.
"This is expected."
"No, it's disgusting."
For a second, silence filled the hall again.
Then suddenly-
"Sir..."
Everyone looked toward the entrance where security guards appeared nervous.
"There's a woman outside demanding to meet you."
Tushar frowned. "Who?"
The guard hesitated awkwardly.
"She claims she's your bua."
The atmosphere changed instantly. Ira's expression hardened slightly. Because during all these years... None of Rudra Khanna's relatives ever cared about Tushar.
Not once.
But now?
The moment Rudra died...
Family suddenly returned. And deep inside... Both Ira and Tushar understood the same thing. The real battle was only beginning.
The moment those words left the guard's mouth-
Tushar's expression turned cold instantly.
"Bua?" he repeated quietly.
The guard nodded nervously. "Yes, sir. She said she's Mr. Rudra Khanna's elder sister."
Ira's eyes darkened slightly. Interesting. Very interesting. Because in all these years, Rudra Khanna's so-called family had maintained distance from him after business disputes and property conflicts.
They never visited. Never called. Never cared. But now...
The moment Rudra Khanna died-
They arrived. Tushar gave a humorless laugh.
"Timing is impressive."
Ira stepped closer slightly and lowered her voice.
"Do you want me to send them away?"
For a second, Tushar genuinely considered it. He had no energy left for fake sympathy. But then his father's teachings echoed inside his head:
Never ignore people who suddenly appear after a powerful man dies.
Slowly, Tushar straightened his posture.
"No," he answered quietly. "Let them come."
A few moments later-
The mansion doors opened again. A middle-aged woman wearing an expensive silk saree entered dramatically, followed by a man and a girl around Tushar's age. The woman immediately covered her mouth emotionally the moment she saw him.
"Oh my poor child..." she cried while rushing toward him.
Before Tushar could react-
She hugged him tightly.
"I can't believe my brother left us..."
Tushar stood stiffly in her arms. Because something felt wrong. The tears. The concern. Everything felt rehearsed. After a few seconds, the woman finally pulled away and touched his face dramatically.
"You've become so weak in just one day."
Tushar quietly stepped back.
"I'm fine."
The woman's eyes briefly flickered with annoyance before she smiled again.
Then suddenly-
Her gaze shifted toward Ira standing nearby. And the warmth disappeared instantly.
"So..." she spoke slowly. "You're Ira Sharma."
The atmosphere changed immediately.
Ira remained calm. "Namaste."
The woman looked her up and down carefully. The judgment in her eyes was obvious.
"I've heard a lot about you already."
Tushar instantly noticed the tone. Cold. Sharp. Insulting.
"This is my bua," he said quietly toward Ira. "Mrs. Kavita Malhotra."
Kavita gave a fake smile.
"People outside are saying quite shocking things." Her eyes remained fixed on Ira. "I didn't believe them at first."
Silence. Tushar's jaw tightened instantly.
"Bua-"
But Kavita continued anyway.
"My brother's body hasn't even cooled yet, and already properly rumors are spreading?"
The indirect accusation hit hard. Ira lowered her gaze calmly despite the humiliation. Because somewhere deep inside... She expected this. Society would always blame the woman first. Tushar suddenly stepped forward.
"Dad made that decision."
Kavita immediately looked at him with fake softness.
"Tushar beta, you're emotional right now. People can manipulate you easily in this condition."
The meaning behind her words was crystal clear. Manipulate. Meaning Ira. Something inside Tushar snapped slightly.
"She's not manipulating me."
Kavita's smile stiffened.
"I'm only worried about you," she answered sweetly. "After all, you're still a minor."
The word minor irritated him instantly. The young girl standing beside Kavita suddenly spoke softly.
"Mumma..."
Kavita finally remembered the others and smiled again.
"Oh yes." She pulled the girl forward. "This is my daughter, Rashi."
Rashi smiled politely toward Tushar. But Ira noticed something immediately. The way Kavita kept observing the mansion. The staff. The luxury. The power. Not grief. Interest.
And suddenly...
Ira understood exactly why they came. Not for Tushar. Not for Rudra. For the Khanna Empire. Meanwhile Tushar's patience was slowly disappearing.
"I'm tired," he said coldly. "You all should rest."
Kavita's eyes narrowed slightly at his dismissive tone. Then suddenly she spoke casually-
"Of course. We're family after all. We'll stay here and help you manage everything."
Ira's expression instantly changed. Because this was exactly what Rudra Khanna feared. People entering the mansion after his death. Trying to gain control slowly. Tushar looked toward Ira briefly. And in that single silent glance... Both understood the same thing. The war inside the Khanna mansion had officially begun.
Kavita Malhotra smiled sweetly as servants carried her luggage upstairs. But the moment she turned away- The sweetness vanished from her face completely.
Ira noticed it. And so did Tushar. The entire mansion suddenly felt unfamiliar now. Dangerous in a different way. Not outside enemies. But people smiling while hiding intentions.
Late at night...
The mansion finally became quiet again.
Tushar stood alone on the balcony outside his room, staring blankly at the dark city lights below. Cold wind brushed against his face, but he barely felt it.
Everything changed too quickly. One day ago, his father was alive. Now strangers were walking inside his house like they belonged there.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. Without waiting for permission, Ira stepped onto the balcony holding a plate of food.
"You haven't eaten anything since morning."
"I'm not hungry."
"You said the same thing in the afternoon."
Tushar sighed tiredly.
"You sound exactly like Dad."
The moment those words left his mouth..Silence spread between them again. Painful silence. Ira slowly placed the food on the table nearby.
"For what it's worth..." she spoke softly, "you handled yourself well downstairs."
Tushar laughed bitterly.
"Really? Because I felt like throwing everyone out."
"That means you're thinking correctly."
For the first time, a small genuine smile appeared on his face. Tiny. Weak. But real.
And somehow that small smile made Ira freeze for a second. Because suddenly... He didn't look like the grieving child she saw in the hospital. He looked older. Sharper. More dangerous. Exactly like Rudra Khanna.
"You should sleep," Ira said quietly while looking away first.
But Tushar suddenly spoke.
"Why did you stay?"
She looked back at him.
"When Dad offered you a job years ago... why didn't you leave later?" His eyes held genuine curiosity now. "You could've worked anywhere."
Ira stayed silent for a few seconds before answering softly.
"Because your father treated me like as his daughter."
Tushar listened quietly.
"When nobody wanted me... he trusted me," she continued. "People don't forget things like that."
A strange emotion crossed Tushar's face hearing those words. Because for the first time... He realized something. His father didn't save only him. He saved Ira too.
Suddenly footsteps echoed behind them. Both turned instantly. Kavita stood near the balcony entrance wearing a silk night robe and an unreadable smile.
"Oh..." she spoke sweetly. "Am I disturbing something?"
Tushar's expression hardened immediately.
"No."
But Kavita's eyes slowly moved between them. Interesting. Very interesting. A young boy. An older woman. Late night.Alone. The judgment in her eyes became obvious.
"I was just worried," she continued casually. "People already misunderstand relationships very quickly."
Ira instantly understood the hidden insult. Tushar did too. And this time. His patience snapped completely.
"She's here because I lost my father yesterday," he said coldly. "Not because your imagination needs entertainment."
Kavita looked slightly shocked. Probably because nobody spoke to her like that before. But Tushar wasn't finished.
"And if you're staying in this house," his voice turned dangerously calm now, "then learn one thing clearly."
He stepped slightly closer.
"Nobody disrespects Miss Ira in front of me."
The balcony fell silent. Even Ira herself looked surprised. Kavita forced a smile quickly.
"Of course, beta. You misunderstood me."
"No," Tushar answered coldly. "I understood perfectly."
For a few seconds, nobody spoke. Then Kavita quietly left the balcony. The moment she disappeared. The tension finally loosened slightly. Ira looked toward Tushar silently.
"You didn't have to do that."
"Yes," he answered quietly. "I did."
Their eyes met for a brief moment. And something shifted slightly between them. Not romance. Not yet. But trust. The beginning of it.
Morning sunlight entered the Khanna Mansion quietly. But the warmth it once carried was gone. Everything felt colder after Rudra Khanna's death. Servants moved silently. The atmosphere remained heavy.
And somewhere inside the mansion...
A seventeen-year-old boy sat alone in his father's office wearing Rudra Khanna's black watch. Tushar stared blankly at the legal documents spread across the table.
Marriage registration papers. His fingers tightened slowly. Even now. Everything felt unreal. A soft knock came from the door.
"Come in."
Ira entered quietly in a simple dressed, her hair tied neatly as always. But the exhaustion beneath her eyes was impossible to hide.
"You called me?" she asked softly.
Tushar looked at her for a few seconds before speaking.
"The lawyer is coming today."
She immediately understood. Silence filled the room again. Neither knew how to discuss this normally. Because this wasn't normal. Finally, Ira spoke calmly.
"You still have time to refuse."
Tushar lowered his gaze toward the papers. Then after a few moments, he asked quietly-
"If I refuse... what happens?"
Ira stayed silent briefly before answering honestly.
"Your relatives may try to take control of everything until you turn twenty-one. The board members will start pressuring you. And your father's rivals could see this as an opportunity to come after you."
Every answer sounded worse than the previous one. Tushar closed his eyes frustratingly. His father really trapped him perfectly. Not emotionally. Strategically. Rudra Khanna planned everything before dying.
Suddenly, Ira spoke again, her voice quieter this time-
"You don't have to rush into this decision because of pressure."
Tushar looked at her for a moment before replying, his voice low.
"I have to... it's my father's last wish. I can't say no to him."
But deep down, it wasn't just obligation anymore. He cared-more than he expected. Because somewhere within him, he knew the truth. Ira was the one silently suffering, only because she was still bound by his father's final promise.
A few moments later. The lawyer arrived.
"The legal process has already been prepared," the lawyer explained carefully. "Mr. Rudra Khanna signed everything before his death."
"The marriage will remain legally registered, but ceremonial formalities can happen later after Mr. Tushar turns Twenty-one."
The room went silent. Because beneath those words hid something much deeper. Tushar wasn't marrying Ira because he wanted marriage. He was holding onto the last thing his father asked from him.
The registration process happened quietly that afternoon. No decorations. No rituals. No happiness. Only signatures. Legal papers. And silence.
Tushar sat beside Ira while lawyer completed formalities. It didn't feel like marriage. It felt like responsibility written on paper. The registrar adjusted his glasses before speaking formally.
"Sign here, Mr. Tushar Khanna."
Tushar looked at the paper for a long moment. Then finally. He signed his name. One signature. And everything changed forever. A few seconds later, Ira signed too. The sound of pen touching paper felt strangely loud.
The registrar smiled politely.
"Congratulations."
Neither responded. Because there was nothing to celebrate. The lawyer quietly collected the signed papers from the table before placing them carefully inside a black file.
"For now," he spoke professionally, "these documents will remain confidential."
The lawyer continued calmly, "Mr. Rudra Khanna arranged special legal protection before his death. Only a few trusted legal authorities are aware of this marriage. Public access to the records has been restricted."
Relief crossed Ira's face instantly. Secret. That was better. Much better. No media. No gossip. No humiliating headlines. At least not now.
The lawyer adjusted his glasses calmly.
"This is temporary privacy. Considering Mr. Tushar Khanna's age and current circumstances, this arrangement was advised as the safest legal option."
The lawyer gathered his papers, gave a brief nod, and left the room with quiet footsteps.
The door clicked shut.
Only Tushar and Ira remained inside the silent office. For the first time all day. No lawyers. No relatives. No interruptions. Just them.
The silence felt strangely heavy now. Tushar slowly leaned back in his chair and stared blankly at the marriage papers once more.
"So..." he spoke after a long pause.
Ira looked toward him quietly.
"We're secretly married now."
Something about hearing it aloud again felt unreal. Ira exhaled softly.
"When you say it like that, it sounds absurd."
"It is absurd."
For the first time-
Outside the large window, rain had already started pouring heavily over the city. The weather matched everything perfectly. Messy. Cold. Complicated.
Tushar suddenly looked toward her again.
"Are you uncomfortable?"
The question surprised her slightly.
"With this," he clarified quietly. "With me."
Ira stayed silent for a moment before answering honestly.
"No."
Then after a small pause-
"Just overwhelmed."
He understood that feeling completely. Because honestly... He felt the same.
A seventeen-year-old school student. Secretly married. While grieving his father. None of this felt real anymore. Tushar suddenly laughed weakly while rubbing his forehead.
"If Dad can see this from heaven, he's probably feeling very proud of his planning skills."
That unexpected sentence almost made Ira laugh softly. Almost. Then silence returned again. But this time... It didn't feel suffocating. Just unfamiliar.
Finally, Tushar stood up slowly. Then both walked out of the office side by side. Not lovers. Not strangers anymore either. Something in between.t
Bound together by Rudra Khanna's final decision. And carrying a secret nobody else knew.
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