"When life takes everything from you, sometimes, destiny hands you the most unexpected path."

Riva Kashyap stood at the edge of her father's funeral pyre, her hands trembling as she clutched her younger brother Aarush's hand. Her mother, frail and broken, sobbed uncontrollably. Riva’s heart ached, not just for the man she lost, but for the future that now seemed bleak and unforgiving.

Her father’s death left them with nothing—no financial support, no savings, and an endless pile of hospital bills. Riva, a final-year Mathematics student at Zenith College, had dreams of becoming a professor one day. But now, those dreams seemed distant, crushed beneath the weight of responsibilities that life had thrown her way.

That night, as the rain poured outside their small apartment, Riva stared at the ceiling, her mind spinning with thoughts of survival. Her mother had fallen into depression, unable to even cook a meal for Aarush, who was only ten. The landlord had already warned them about the pending rent, and her brother’s school fees were due in a week.

Desperation consumed her.

She scrolled through her phone, searching for part-time jobs, but nothing seemed enough to pull them out of the financial crisis. That’s when her eyes landed on a surrogacy advertisement.

“Seeking a healthy surrogate mother. Compensation: ₹20 lakhs.”

Riva’s breath hitched. ₹20 lakhs.

It was more than enough to clear their debts, secure Aarush’s education, and provide her mother with the care she needed. But carrying a child that wasn’t hers? Could she do that?

Her trembling fingers dialed the number.

---

The next day, Riva sat nervously in the fertility clinic’s waiting room. The sterile white walls and the faint smell of antiseptic made her stomach churn.

Her heart pounded as the door opened, and the doctor walked in. Behind him followed the intended parents.

Riva’s world froze when she saw them.

Aarav Mehta.

Her Mathematics professor. The man who had been her silent inspiration and secret crush since her first year of college.

And beside him stood his wife, Tasha Mehta, the renowned Physics professor, known for her beauty and arrogance.

Riva’s pulse quickened as Aarav’s eyes widened in shock upon seeing her.

“You?” Aarav murmured, disbelief evident in his voice.

Riva lowered her gaze. “I… I need this money, sir.”

Tasha, uninterested in the emotional tension, rolled her eyes. “Does it matter who she is? As long as she’s healthy, let’s proceed.”

Aarav’s jaw tightened, discomfort flashing across his face.

Riva’s heart pounded. She knew about their troubled marriage. Rumors of Tasha’s refusal to have children to maintain her body had spread across the college. Yet, Aarav longed to be a father.

The doctor interrupted the awkward silence, “Miss Kashyap, are you sure about this decision? Surrogacy is an emotional and physical journey.”

“I’m sure,” Riva replied, her voice steady despite the storm within her.

Aarav’s eyes softened with concern, but he remained silent as Tasha impatiently signed the contract.

---

The embryo transfer was successful.

As the days turned into weeks, Riva’s body began to change. Morning sickness, fatigue, and hormonal shifts became her new reality. She kept her pregnancy hidden from her mother and Aarush, lying about attending extra classes to cover her frequent visits to the clinic.

Aarav, despite his initial hesitation, began accompanying her to the check-ups. Tasha rarely showed up, claiming her “busy schedule” and “social commitments” as excuses.

One evening, as Riva waited in the clinic’s lobby, Aarav arrived, looking exhausted.

“I’m sorry for being late,” he said, sitting beside her. “Tasha had a conference.”

Riva offered a small smile. “It’s okay, sir. I understand.”

Aarav’s gaze lingered on her. “You don’t have to do this, Riva. I know you’re doing it for the money, but… this is a big sacrifice.”

“I’m not just doing this for money,” Riva said softly. “I’m giving life to something you’ve always wanted. That… that means something to me.”

Aarav’s eyes flickered with emotion. “Thank you, Riva. I can never repay you for this.”

Her heart clenched at the tenderness in his voice.

---

As the months passed, Riva’s bond with the unborn baby grew stronger. She felt every kick, every movement, and with it, her feelings for Aarav deepened.

Meanwhile, Tasha’s absence from the process became more evident. She treated the baby as a mere object that would fulfill Aarav’s wish and nothing more.

Riva’s heart ached for Aarav, who silently suffered in a loveless marriage.

---

One afternoon, Aarav insisted on driving Riva home after a check-up.

As they stood outside her modest apartment, Aarav’s eyes scanned the worn-out building and the peeling paint on the walls.

“You live here?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Riva smiled faintly. “It’s home.”

Aarav hesitated before saying, “If you need anything—financial support, medical care—I’m here for you.”

“I’m not doing this for charity, sir,” Riva replied softly. “I’m doing this because… I want to give you the happiness you deserve.”

Aarav’s eyes softened, and for a moment, the world seemed to blur around them.

---

As Riva’s pregnancy progressed, Aarav’s visits became more frequent. They shared quiet conversations, laughter, and moments of vulnerability that Tasha had long denied him.

Slowly, Aarav found himself drawn to the woman who was carrying his child.

And Riva?

She had already given her heart to the man whose love she could never claim.

---

But fate was never kind to those who loved in silence.

With each passing day, Riva knew she was falling deeper into something forbidden.

Would she be able to let go of the baby she carried with love?

Or would her heart break when she had to walk away from the man who had unknowingly become her everything?