Samantha’s POV**

“The door creaked open.

“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to intrude,” came a familiar voice. Deep, careful, and soft in the way it always had been when he spoke to me.

Liam.

My heart stalled. I turned, slowly. He stood just inside the threshold, one hand still on the door.

“I noticed you weren’t feeling well,” He said, unsure. “I thought I’d check on you.”

I opened my mouth, but words failed me.

His eyes searched mine. “You just… seem familiar.”

I lowered my gaze. “I’m fine. Just a little dizzy.”

He nodded, clearly not convinced. “If you need a minute, take it. Rose can wait.”

Then he left—quiet as he came. And I was left shaking again, wondering if destiny was playing cruel tricks… or writing a second chance.

Liam’s POV

I adjusted the cuff of my blazer as I posed beside Rose, camera flashes dancing off the jewelled embroidery of her gown. The party was nearly halfway through, and I had already shaken more hands than I could count. Smiles, laughter, champagne—everything looked perfect. Everything felt… rehearsed.

Yet, a quiet thread of unease tugged at my heart. She is not Sanjana—the girl I met years ago, the girl I loved. Rose is nowhere near her but still I need to move on. I’ve spent so long grieving for Sanjana. This empire needs an heir, and I need to move forward.

It started during the garden photoshoot. I noticed her—the photographer. She barely spoke, gave clipped instructions, and clicked the shutter with calm precision. But it wasn’t her professionalism that caught my attention. It was the sense of familiarity.

When she lifted the camera and our eyes met, I felt a jolt, It was like hearing a forgotten song. Her eyes lingered on me a little longer then intended . There was a history there, silent and painful. I noticed how she tucked loose strands behind her ears. And her voice ,when she spoke, it was like Sanjana was standing in front of me wearing a mask.

I’ve tried to ignore it, to shake it off. But the feeling wouldn’t leave. People noticed I seemed distracted, but I didn’t care. I kept scanning the room for her.

She stood near the edge of the ballroom, her camera lowered, her expression unreadable. She was watching everyone but seemed lost in her own world. Her posture was calm, but her eyes revealed a silent storm.

“Liam?” Rose’s voice broke through my thoughts.

“Hmm?” I answered absently.

“You spaced out. Everything okay?”

“Yes. Just thinking,” I said.

“About the new business deal?” she teased.

I gave her a polite smile, thankful for the distraction.

“Even with such a beautiful lady standing next to you?” she added with a flirtatious smile.

But the woman behind the camera haunted me more than any business deal ever could. I stole another glance at her. Her hands trembled slightly. Her eyes flickered with an unknown emotion., whenever they met mine. She was a like puzzle, familiar but incomplete.

“Darling,” Rose called to gain my attention.

“Stop calling me that. I don’t like it,” I snapped.

“Okay, sorry. I won’t repeat it,” she replied, playfully holding her ears.

You shouldn’t have done that, Rose. You reminded me of Sanjana. Our playful banter, her quick retorts. It was all coming back. I don't know why today of all days everything reminds me of Sanjana.

A tap on my shoulder pulled me out of my thoughts. Rose pointed toward a group.

“My friends. They want to meet you.” I followed Rose through the crowd as she tugged me toward a small group.

“Liam, this is Shaurya my best friend ,” She said.

Shaurya smiled, extending a hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

I shook it, eyeing him briefly. Shaurya looked Indian, but there was something cold in his expression. The warmth or gentleness that I had often seen in the people in India is missing . His gaze was too sharp, his smile too calculated, just like that of a spy .

We walked over to other friends , I greeted them politely.

My gaze drifted again. I found her ,the photographer laughing with a colleague. Her eyes crinkled at the corners. The way She tucked the loose strand behind her ear . 1 had seen it before. Somewhere deep in my memories.

Soon, the guests began departing. The press team left. And with them went the girl, I couldn’t stop thinking about.

Third Person POV

Hours later, as the press team wrapped up and headed out, the weather turned ominous. Black clouds gathered. It began raining the moment they entered the car.

“Can’t we wait until it stops raining?” Samantha asked timidly.

“Come on, Samantha, I didn’t know you were afraid of rain,” Lisa teased. The others laughed.

Reluctantly, she got in. Her body trembled. Her heart raced. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Her hands were cold.

“Are you okay?” Tom asked, glancing at her. “You’re sweating in this weather.”

“I’m fine,” she replied curtly.

Tom took the hint and said no more.

Suddenly, headlights from an oncoming vehicle blinded the driver. He swerved, barely avoiding collision. The car swayed violently. The driver slammed the brakes. Tires screeched.

A scream tore through the night. And then there was a silence

Liam’s POV

The mansion, once glittering with light and laughter, now stood in silence. Rain tapped softly against the windows, the only sound breaking the stillness. Darkness had swallowed the celebration, and the joy of the evening had faded. Only one room remained lit ,my private bar.

The clink of glasses echoed as Kabir and I sat on barstools, having drinks. The bar was stocked with every liquor imaginable, but no liquor was strong enough to drown the ache in my chest.

“Where were you? I didn’t see you the whole evening,” I asked him, my voice low.

“I came late,” he replied, pouring more golden liquid into his glass. “Don’t ask why. You already know.”

I sighed. “You never liked Rose. You always wanted Sanjana to be my wife.” with those words

I downed my drink in a single gulp. The burn in my throat was sharp—but not sharper than the void that Sanjana left behind.

“She’s the only one who’s ever occupied my heart. But Mom wants to see me settled. This empire needs an heir. This marriage—it is just a marriage of convenience.”

Kabir stared into his glass. “I still don’t believe she’s dead. Her dead body was not found. There’s still a chance that she is alive .”

“Five years, Kabir,” I said, walking over to the window. “It’s been five whole years since that accident. Nothing. No sign of her. She’s gone.”

The rain outside was relentless, drumming against the glass. I hated rain. It reminded me of the night I lost her. Sanjana had taken the light from my life, and the rain had taken her.

“Did you even try to search for her?” He asked quietly. “Or did you just believe what they told you?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn't.

“Let’s bury the past where it belongs.” I finally said. It was necessary if I wish to move on.

“It’s getting late. You can use the guest room next to mine. Your stuff from last time is still there.”

Kabir stood silently beside me as I turned to leave. I closed the door behind me and dragged my lifeless body to the only place where I still felt close to her—my room. My sanctuary of memories.

The Following Morning

I woke up with the usual headache. A side effect of drinking to much . With lots of effort I got up and took two painkillers for my headache .

After finishing my morning ritual I sat down with the morning paper and a cup of black Coffee

A headline caught my eye:

“Press Van Involved in Highway Accident — Names Withheld”

My chest tightened. I had a gut feeling. I just knew it was them. Her.

“What happened?” Kabir asked, descending the stairs. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I handed him the paper wordlessly.

After reading it, he frowned. “It was stormy yesterday. Accidents happen. Why does this concern you?”

" Come with me. I will explain ." With a swift pace, I moved to the garage, followed by Kabir.

“There’s a reporter named Samantha,” I began, hesitating. “She was part of the team covering the event.”

He raised an eyebrow. “There are plenty of Samanthas, Liam. Why this one?”

“I don’t know. Since yesterday, she’s haunting my senses. The way she laughed, tucked her hair behind her ears, her voice—everything reminds me of Sanjana.”

Kabir was quiet now.

“It’s strange, I know,” I continued. “But I felt something. Like she’s Sanjana with a different face.”

By the time I stopped speaking, we had reached the hospital’s parking lot.

Kabir tugged at my sleeve. “So… do you still think Sanjana is dead?”

I didn’t reply. I stepped out of the car. He followed.

Kabir’s thoughts (Unspoken)

I may not know this Samantha girl well, but there’s one thing I can never tell You my dear friend that Sanjana is alive. I was forced to hide it from him. I’m sorry, my friend.

“Can’t you walk a little faster?” I hissed. “A snail’s better than you.”

We reached her room. Her colleagues stood outside. I greeted them, and one of the male reporters—Tom, I think—guided us inside.

She lay on the hospital bed, fragile and pale, wires connected to her thin wrists. My heart clenched.

“Good morning, Samantha. How are you feeling?” I asked gently.

Her eyes fluttered open. They were empty, hollow.

“Good morning, Mr. Turner,” she replied flatly. “What brings you here?”

“I heard about the accident… just wanted to check on you.”

A faint, lifeless smile tugged at her lips. “Why, Mr. Turner? Why inquire about my well-being? I’m just a press reporter. You’ve checked that I’m alive. Now, if you’ll excuse me… I need rest.” Her voice was cold. There was something in her tone—sarcasm? Anger?

I turned, confused. Before leaving, I asked Tom how the others were. Then I left.

Samantha’s POV

Now you care?

Where were you when I lay on a cold hospital table, my face torn apart and my identity taken from me?

That night—when you proposed to me—was supposed to be the most beautiful night of my life. But it became a curse.

You disappeared when I needed you most.

Now you come here with your polished shoes and empty concern?

If. only you knew… who I really am?

Samantha’s POV**

As Liam left the room, I closed my eyes, but sleep was far away. His voice still echoed in my mind. He hadn’t changed a bit—still concerned about the well-being of others. Yet, I found myself getting riled up by his concern. Who was he worried about?

Was it Sanjana, with whom he used to sing, dance, and record her voice for his music album? Or was it Samantha, the journalist covering his event? I felt like a ghost, trapped between who I used to be and who I had been forced to become. My mind, uninvited, pulled me back into the cold, sterile corridors of that London hospital.

Flashback Begins

The smell of antiseptic was everywhere—on my gown, my body, my soul. Wires snaked across my bandaged, aching frame, tethering me to machines whose rhythmic beeping signaled a fragile survival. My body lay still, but it felt as though my soul had died.

After countless surgeries and endless bandage changes, the day finally came when I could see my reflection. When I did, I was stunned. A muffled scream escaped my throat as I pressed a trembling hand over my mouth. This couldn’t be happening.

Hearing the noise, Uncle Henry rushed in. “Is everything all right?” he asked the nurse, who silently pointed toward me. Understanding immediately, he pulled up a chair, sat beside me, and gestured for the nurse to leave.

“Please close the door on your way out,” he added. She nodded and obeyed.

“Sanjana, dear,” he began gently, “I know this is a big shock. Believe me, I had no choice. Your face was severely disfigured. Shards of glass had torn through your skin. I removed most of them, but they left terrible scars. I tried my best to restore your face, but I had to reconstruct it. I’m so sorry.” His head bowed, and he placed a comforting hand over mine.

But was it his fault? No. This was destiny.

“Uncle, please don’t feel bad,” I said, voice hoarse. “I was just… shocked to see a new face in place of my own. Until now, I thought that after the surgery, I could find Liam and we could reconcile. But now... how will he recognize me? I haven’t just lost my face—I’ve lost my identity.” Tears flowed down my cheeks like a broken dam. My heart shattered as reality hit me. Liam had left me because of my disfigurement. Wiping my tears with my sleeve, I made a decision: with my old face gone, so was my past. Sanjana was dead to everyone.

“Sanjana, whatever happens, happens for a reason. Maybe this is what destiny wants for you. Don’t get me wrong—but if the world believes Sanjana is dead, then let her be. Let Sanjana die. Today, Sanjana ends, and Samantha begins. From now on, you are Samantha Blake —my elder brother’s daughter. Is that okay with you?” Uncle gently caressed my palm and wiped my tears with his handkerchief.

“Uncle… I think you’re right. That’s what destiny wants. To the world, Sanjana died on the day of the accident. Today, Samantha is born. And as for Liam… he died with Sanjana. I’ll erase him from my life.” It felt as though thousands of knives slashed my tongue as I spoke those words.

Uncle paused, then looked at me carefully. “I need to ask you something.”

His eyes searched mine, seeking permission. I placed my palm over his, giving him a nod.

“Did you both take your relationship to the next level?” he asked.

Heat crept up my neck, and I looked away, mortified that he was asking such a personal question.

“Answer me. It’s important.”

His voice rose slightly, jaw clenched and brows furrowed. His hands gripped the bedrail, his posture rigid. The intensity in his eyes shook me.

“Yes,” I whispered, barely audible.

“That explains it,” he said, leaving me confused. I looked at him, puzzled.

“You were pregnant at the time of the accident.”

Instinctively, my hand flew to my stomach, caressing it gently. A surge of emotion overwhelmed me.

But his next words drained the color from my face.

“Due to the impact of the accident, you miscarried. When you were brought here, you were weak, anemic. Your bleeding wouldn’t stop. That’s when we discovered the pregnancy.”

For a moment, I was frozen. Then I let out a cry that pierced the room. Tears poured down my face as I began slapping myself.

“I’m so sorry, my child,” Uncle said, pulling me into a firm embrace. “I couldn’t protect you my child. Your father stole my identity… and now he has taken you from me too. I will never forgive him.”

I sobbed into his crisp white shirt. He didn’t care. He held me tighter, as though shielding me from a world that had already taken too much.

But that wasn’t enough.

A gut-wrenching scream rose from deep within me, shaking the walls .