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Before he could deny her, she pressed on quickly. “Give me a few weeks, Ram. I’ll take the helicopter if I must, but I’ll drive myself to the hospital. Your security can remain outside the premises.”

Silence stretched between them. Her pulse drummed as she braced for his refusal.

Then, with a single curt nod, he said, “Alright.”

Sanjana let out a slow breath of relief. It wasn’t complete freedom, but she bought some time. A few weeks of anonymity before the world knew she was bound to Ram Devara.

CHAPTER 16

The moment Sanjana stepped through the side entrance of the hospital, a wave of familiarity rushed through her.

It was like she had never left. And yet, everything had changed.

The helicopter had dropped her off at the helipad on top of the Devara Trust headquarters. From there, a sleek black car with tinted windows had been waiting to drive her to her apartment. She had insisted on collecting her own car, a compact, slightly dented red car. But even as she drove to the hospital, she had spotted two black SUVs discreetly following her.

Annoyance had burned hot in her chest, even though she knew this was going to be her new reality.

But no one here knew she was now Sanjana Devara. And she had no intention of telling them. Not until she absolutely had to. Her new surname wasn’t on the hospital records, and her badge still readDr. Sanjana Shetty.The sacred thread and wedding ring announcing her marriage to Ram Devara lay locked away in jewelry boxes at the palace.

Here, she was just a doctor again.

She was in the changing room putting on her scrubs when voices drifted in.

“Did you hear? The Devara Trust is planning a new hospital wing.”

“Really? How do you know?”

“Sania Kolli is here today, meeting with the senior staff. She’s gathering details for the project.”

“Sania Kolli? Dr. Kolli’s daughter? She barely shows her face here. Why now?”

A laugh followed. “Isn’t it obvious? Sania Kolli wants to get close to the Devara Trust. She is vying for Ram Devara. She probably thinks she can become the next Devara maharani.”

“What? Everyone knows a non-royal can’t marry into that family.”

Sanjana stepped out, determined to ignore the gossip and begin her shift.

But on her way, she caught sight of a familiar woman standing near the administration wing. The woman was in a chic designer suit, her glossy hair perfectly styled, diamonds glinting at her ears. She spoke in an authoritative tone to the staff. The woman’s eyes swept over Sanjana briefly, only to look past in a cool dismissal as someone unimportant.

Sanjana recognized Sania Kolli. She had been dismissive of Sanjana a few months ago as well when Dr. Kolli had introduced them at an annual hospital event.

Sanjana hadn’t cared at that time or now that Sania found her unimportant.

Sanjana walked to the nurses’ station to check on the patients’ list.

“Look who is back.”

The familiar voice was cutting.

Sanjana turned to see Dr. Rao.

“Freed from arrest, reinstated, and already roaming the hospital halls like nothing ever happened,” he said in anger.

Sanjana said nothing, keeping her expression carefully neutral.

“Do you know why your arrest was stopped? Not because of your talent. Not because you were right. The Devara Trust couldn’t afford the scandal of a doctor in their new hospital being dragged off in handcuffs for malpractice. That’s the only reason you’re still standing here.”

Sanjana stayed silent.