Christian left the house that afternoon following a heated argument with his grandfather and did not return. Yet Leonard remained as calm as the sea.

It was already late evening. Resting against the headboard of his bed, Leonard was speaking to the photograph of his late wife, Rosella.

He was telling her about the Indian girl and why he had chosen her for their grandson when Dr Agnes entered the room with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

“Evening, old man. Boring Rosella again?” Dr Agnes chuckled.

“Yes,” Leonard laughed. “I was telling her about the girl I met in India.”

“Oh, that same girl you’ve chosen for Chris?” Agnes asked.

“The very same,” he answered, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

“Well, I must admit I’m curious. What is so exceptional about this Indian girl that you admire her so much?” Agnes enquired as she sat down on the sofa and poured wine into the glasses.

Leonard placed Rosella’s photograph carefully on the bedside table and joined Agnes on the sofa.

“She’s a remarkable young woman,” he began thoughtfully. “She understands relationships. She knows how to keep a family together with love and patience, and that is precisely what this family has forgotten.”

He paused before continuing.

“She is ideal for Chris. She can give him the stability and warmth he longed for in his childhood — a successful career and a loving home.”

Agnes nodded quietly.

“You know, Agnes,” Leonard continued, his voice lowering, “I’m afraid. Truly afraid for this family. The family Rosella and I built with so much love is on the verge of falling apart, and I feel powerless to stop it.”

His eyes drifted towards Rosella’s photograph.

“This girl is my last hope. I am certain she will reunite this family. She will succeed where I have failed. I only wish to see us together again before I close my eyes. That is my final wish.”

He took a slow sip of wine and discreetly brushed away the tears gathering at the corner of his eyes.

“I understand, Leo,” Agnes said gently. “But you know Chris. He’s clever. He’ll be searching for a way out of this arrangement.”

Leo chuckled.

“Oh, I’m certain he is. But trust me, he won’t escape this one.” His smile widened. “And I have complete faith in Lia. That silicone-filled doll will undoubtedly leave him the moment she realises there’s nothing to gain.”

Both of them laughed.

“I must admit, I shall rather enjoy watching Chris cornered for once,” Agnes said. “But tell me, where exactly did you meet this girl in India?”

“Do you remember I travelled there two months ago for business?” Leo asked.

Agnes nodded.

“Well, someone mentioned a city called Varanasi, a place where souls are said to find peace and salvation. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and is considered the spiritual capital of India.”

Leonard’s voice softened.

“I decided to travel there from Mumbai. I cannot describe the serenity of that place. There was something almost mystical about it — a pure, powerful energy you could feel in the air. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there… and that’s where I met—”

A knock interrupted him. They turned their attention towards the half-open door.

“Dad… may I come in?” Luke, Christian’s father, asked cautiously.

“Leo, I think I shall leave you to it,” Agnes said, rising to her feet. “I’m very much looking forward to meeting this mysterious young lady.” She smiled.

Leonard nodded before turning to Luke.

“Of course. I expected you.”

Luke entered and closed the door behind him as Agnes left.

“Why are you forcing Chris to marry that girl?” he demanded, folding his arms.

“It’s quite simple,” Leonard replied evenly. “I want her as my granddaughter-in-law. And that can only happen through your son.”

“But an Indian girl? Their culture is entirely different from ours. Why not choose Lia or someone from our own background?”

Leo’s expression hardened.

“Because,” he said sharply and sighed, “you wouldn’t understand. And what sort of father are you? Can you not see that Lia is unsuitable? She is a gold digger just like your girlfriend, and she will ruin Christian’s life the way that woman ruined your marriage.”

Luke clenched his jaw.

“Enough,” Leo continued firmly. “This discussion is over. I want that girl in this family, and that is final. Tell your son to prepare himself for the wedding.”

He gestured towards the door.

“Now leave. I wish to speak to your mother. And do close the door on your way out.”

Luke left, slamming the door behind him.

Leonard picked up Rosella’s photograph once more and resumed speaking softly to her. He was explaining why the girl was perfect for their family when suddenly the door burst open.

Christian stood there.

Leonard stared at him in exaggerated shock.

“Good heavens. Are you truly standing before me, or am I hallucinating? I assumed you would return in a month, perhaps when your credit cards stopped working. Yet here you are after merely ten hours."

Christian’s jaw tightened.

"What happened? Did Lia leave you when she discovered you stepped aside from the CEO race?”

“You were right about her. The moment she learned I withdrew from the CEO position, she ended things.”

He inhaled sharply.

“So here I am. I’ll marry the girl you’ve chosen. But I want to know why her? Why not someone from our own country?”

“First,” Leo said calmly, “stop glaring at me like your father. And second, you and I both know that every woman you have dated thus far has been after your money. The girl I have chosen is not like that. She is a rare gem, and I want that gem in this family.”

Christian rolled his eyes.

“Fine. I’ve heard enough praise. I said I’ll marry her.”

“You will not regret this,” Leonard replied confidently.

Christian said nothing, though a darker thought crossed his mind. 'She, however, may regret marrying me.'

“What’s her name?” he asked casually.

“Mishka,” Leonard replied, smiling fondly.

“Mi… what?”

“Mishka,” Leonard repeated slowly. “It took me some time to pronounce it properly as well. But you’d best practise because she dislikes it when people mispronounce her name.”

Christian gave a curt nod, though inside he simmered with frustration.

“Since you’ve agreed, I should tell you — Mishka arrives tomorrow.”

Christian stared at him in disbelief.

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes. So off you go. Practise saying her name correctly. MI-SH-KA.”

Leo clapped his hands lightly.

“Now close the door on your way out. I’m exhausted.”

“Good night, Grandpa.”

“Good night, my boy. Tomorrow is an important day.”

Christian switched off the lights and left the room.