"What you want is not always what will be," she snaps back, though it's raw and vulnerable despite every inch of self-preservation she has tried so hard to claw together. Feels foolish and raw all at once. "I wanted us to be happy, and here we are."

Her mouth tugs painfully, unhappily, and she looks away from Lakshmi with that. Doesn't move, but looks at the other wall, a focus point she can train her gaze to.

"You will be seen to, and then you can decide if Jhalkari is to be dismissed."