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IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 76
The flickering light from a single candle cast long, distorted shadows across the cramped backstage dressing room. Ken, his face etched with exhaustion, slumped onto a threadbare sofa. Sarah, perched on a nearby stool, traced patterns on the dusty floorboards with her bare foot. The silence after their disastrous performance hung heavy in the air, thick with unspoken emotions."Sarah," Ken finally broke the silence, his voice hoarse. "We need to talk."Sarah glanced up, a flicker of defiance in her eyes. "Talk about what, Ken? Our spectacular downfall? The scathing reviews that are probably trending worldwide right now?"Ken winced. The sting of the audience's rejection was still fresh, a raw wound exposed for the world to see."There's more to it than that," he said, his voice low. "We can't just keep blaming everyone else. We messed up, Sarah. We lost our way."A long pause followed, filled only by the distant hum of the departing crowd. Sarah uncrossed her arms, her expression soft
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 77
Sarah, her heart hammering a frantic rhythm against her ribs, stood outside Reyansh's swanky apartment building. The once familiar address now felt intimidating, a fortress she had to conquer. Dressed to impress, a practiced vulnerability in her eyes, she took a deep breath and pressed the call button.Moments later, Reyansh's voice, a touch surprised, crackled through the intercom. "Sarah? Is that you?""Hey Reyansh," she forced a lightness into her voice. "It's been a while. Can I come up?"A beat of silence followed, then a reluctant, "Sure, come on up."The elevator ride was an eternity. Sarah replayed their conversation a hundred times in her head, rehearsing her lines, her pleas. But a nagging doubt gnawed at her. Reyansh wasn't the naive, star-struck teenager she used to know. He was Dr. Reyansh Kapoor now, a respected scientist, someone who wouldn't fall for cheap tricks.The apartment door opened before she could knock. Reyansh stood there, taller, broader, a hint of skeptici
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 78
A shadow fell across Dr. Reyansh Kapoor's desk, momentarily breaking his concentration. He looked up from his microscope to see Sarah standing there, a hesitant smile plastered on her face. Her designer outfit and perfectly styled hair seemed out of place in the sterile environment of his lab."Sarah," he said, surprised by her visit. "This is unexpected. Can I help you with something?""Actually," she began, her voice feigning a casualness that didn't quite ring true, "I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by. See how your, uh, science stuff is going."Reyansh raised an eyebrow, skepticism flickering in his eyes. He wasn't naive. Sarah's sudden interest in his research, after years of radio silence, felt like a poorly veiled attempt at something more."It's going well," he replied cautiously. "We're making significant progress in the field of heart cell repair."Sarah's eyes widened in what seemed like genuine interest. "Wow, that sounds amazing! So, you're like a real-
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 79
The afternoon sun cast playful patterns on the living room floor as Saarayu knelt down, her arms outstretched. Avi, Reyansh's niece, giggled with delight, a tiny streak of sunshine with mismatched socks and a determined glint in her eyes."Again, Aunty Saa!" she squealed, holding out a stuffed elephant with a missing ear.Saarayu scooped her up, twirling her around in a dizzying hug. "Alright, alright, little one. But only if you promise not to topple over like a wobbly tower."Avi, breathless with laughter, clung to Saarayu's neck. "I promise! Now fly me to Neverland, Captain Saa!"Saarayu, ever the doting aunt, launched into a dramatic story, her voice morphing into a booming pirate captain as she soared through the living room, dodging imaginary obstacles and battling ferocious dust bunnies. Avi shrieked with glee, her infectious laughter filling the room with a warmth that chased away the shadows of grief that sometimes lingered.Suddenly, Avi's laughter hiccupped, replaced by a g
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 80
The air crackled with nervous anticipation in the grand auditorium. Scientists from across the globe, renowned researchers with steely gazes and sharp minds, sat clustered in the plush seats. A hush fell over the room as Dr. Reyansh Kapoor, his lab coat crisp, his demeanor calm despite the pounding in his chest, strode onto the stage.Spotlights bathed him in a warm glow as he adjusted the microphone. This was it. Years of tireless research, countless late nights fueled by coffee and a relentless pursuit of a breakthrough, culminated in this moment. He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping across the expectant faces."Good morning, esteemed colleagues," he began, his voice a steady baritone that resonated through the hall. "Today, I stand before you to discuss a potential paradigm shift in the field of cardiac health – the targeted gene editing of heart cells for repair and regeneration."A murmur rippled through the audience. Gene editing for heart cell repair was a revolutionary con
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 81
Dinner was a chaotic symphony of laughter and spilled juice. Reyansh, surprisingly adept at wrangling a forkful of pasta into a giggling Avi's mouth, found himself genuinely enjoying the unexpected disruption to his routine. Saarayu, ever the picture of grace, navigated the dinner table like a seasoned captain, doling out gentle reminders and keeping the conversation flowing.As they finished their meal, a comfortable silence settled. Avi, her eyelids drooping like tiny curtains, snuggled closer to Saarayu, her thumb finding its way into her mouth."She's getting so big," Reyansh said softly, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.Saarayu nodded. "Time flies, doesn't it?" She looked at Avi, a tenderness in her eyes. "She talks about you all the time, you know. You're her favorite superhero."Reyansh chuckled. "Superhero, huh? I think the lab coat might need a cape upgrade.""Maybe," Saarayu said with a playful smile, "but the power to fix broken hearts? That's pretty heroic in my book."A
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 82
A jolt of electricity shot through Reyansh as he rounded the corner. The setting sun cast long shadows, painting the deserted highway in an eerie orange glow. There, in the rearview mirror, a figure flickered into view – a familiar figure that sent a wave of terror crashing over him.It couldn't be. It simply couldn't. His grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles white. His heart hammered a frantic tattoo against his ribs. But the image persisted, a cruel mirage or a figment of his overworked imagination.Rahul. His brother, Rahul, with his easy smile and windblown hair, was running alongside the car, his voice a desperate echo in the wind. "Reyansh! Wait!"Saarayu, sensing his sudden panic, glanced back from the passenger seat. "Reyansh, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.But Reyansh couldn't tear his gaze away from the apparition. Rahul, the same age as the day of the accident, a day that had shattered their lives, seemed to be pleading with him. A primal
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 83
The clamor of the Delhi airport was a cacophony of excited greetings, blaring announcements, and the insistent drone of paparazzi. Reyansh, ever the composed scientist, navigated the chaos with practiced ease, a hand protectively guiding his niece Avi, her blonde curls bouncing with excitement. Saarayu trailed behind, a wry smile playing on her lips as news reporters jostled for interviews."Dr. Reyansh Malhotra, a pleasure to have you back in India! Can you tell us about your groundbreaking research?""Is it true you're dating your stunning companion? Congratulations!"Saarayu rolled her eyes, the absurdity of the situation washing over her. The news articles in America, painting her as Reyansh's "secret girlfriend," had been amusing at first. Now, facing the frenzy of the Indian media, it was becoming a bit overwhelming.Reyansh, however, handled the barrage of questions with practiced diplomacy. He deflected inquiries about his personal life with a polite smile, focusing on his res