Chapter 4 – The Thread That Broke and Tied Again

Her breath caught, but her eyes didn’t waver.

Because the man who had saved her…

was the best friend of the star she had loved and lost.

“Woo Jaemin,” she whispered, the name slipping from her lips like a prayer she’d only ever said in private.

The masked man turned to her, eyes gentle. Slowly, he pulled off his white mask, revealing the face millions once knew on screens—and Priya had memorized in silence.

He smiled softly.

Devika and Dharshana rushed to Priya’s side, stunned. Raghav, who had been standing frozen near the steps, clenched his fists. Without a word, he swung at Arjun, landing a blow square on his cheek. Arjun staggered. Before he could recover, Karthik stormed forward and punched him again, knocking him to the floor.

“You deserve worse,” Karthik spat.

Gasps echoed around the mandapam.

Meghana adjusted her now-crumpled saree and smirked as if she'd just won a game.

“Well, that explains everything,” she said, stepping forward. “You claimed Arjun was your fiancé, but you loved a dead Korean idol, cried every day over him, and now”—she gestured toward Jaemin—“this man shows up out of nowhere. Is he your next secret? Your lover too?”

Her voice cut sharp through the murmuring crowd.

Vijaya aunty folded her arms and grinned, victorious. “Finally the truth,” she muttered.

Devika opened her mouth to defend Priya, but Dharshana beat her to it. “Say one more word, Meghana, and—”

But Jaemin raised his hand gently.

Then he stepped forward.

And said, in a calm, steady voice, “I am her husband.”

The entire hall froze.

A pin could’ve dropped on the jasmine petals and echoed.

Meghana blinked, stunned. “Wait… You’re saying you two are already married?”

Priya turned to him in shock, lips parted—but said nothing.

Jaemin looked at the crowd, then at Priya.

“I may not have known her for years. But I know her heart. And I know what she’s been through. So yes—if that’s what you want to hear, then I will become her husband.”

He stepped onto the mandapam stage, holding Priya’s hand. She stumbled slightly, heart pounding. Everything blurred—relatives whispering, temple bells ringing faintly outside, the smell of sandalwood thick in the air.

Arjun groaned on the floor, still held back by two men.

Jaemin reached for the thaali that had been lying unused.

He looked into Priya’s eyes. “Only if you let me,” he said gently.

And she nodded.

He tied the thaali around her neck in a single, unwavering motion.

The priest’s hands trembled. Meghana gasped.

Vijaya’s smile dissolved into fury.

“You can’t do this! She’s—this is—”

“It’s done,” Jaemin said firmly.

Everyone stared. Some in shock. Some in awe. Some, like Karthik and Devika, with tears in their eyes.

Jaemin turned to the crowd. “You can all judge. You can all whisper. But know this—she deserves more than betrayal and lies. She deserves peace. And if you won’t give it to her— I will.”

Priya blinked back tears. She hadn’t planned for any of this.

But for the first time in years, someone chose her. Publicly. Proudly.

As the nadaswaram started again—hesitant at first, then stronger—Priya stood beside Jaemin.

No longer as the abandoned bride…

…but as someone finally seen.

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