Neel tells Kusum he feels unwelcome—treated like an outsider in his own home. He recalls the humiliation: slapped on his birthday, his friends driven out, and now being dismissed while Ishana is treated like a daughter.
Mangal snaps that Neel is playing the victim and reminds him she knows his mistake. Neel announces he will leave. Kusum grabs his arm, pleading: “You’re the eldest son—stay.” Neel insists he causes trouble and must go.
Kusum admits slapping him in front of friends was wrong, while Mangal blames Neel for provoking Ishana. Kusum suggests his behavior may have stemmed from immaturity and urges Mangal to stop ostracizing her biological son.
Adit backs Kusum, accusing Mangal of double standards. Distressed, Ishana slips away in tears.
Sowmya comforts Neel with ice cream and urges him to apologise, saying one sincere sorry can heal the family. Convinced, Neel agrees.
Neel kneels and offers a heartfelt apology to Mangal, promising to change. Sowmya beams; Kusum presses Mangal to forgive.
Mangal relents, embraces Neel, and warns him sternly. Ishana returns, greets the embrace with a cutting clap, and accuses her mother of betrayal.
Mangal asks Neel to apologise to Ishana, but he refuses, saying he already has his mother’s forgiveness. Humiliated, Ishana lashes out and declares she hates Mangal.
Unseen, Sowmya pours acid on a houseplant, smiling coldly: she vows to use the children as pawns and make Mangal lonely. Reconciliation masks simmering betrayal and a dangerous plot.