He paused, chest heaving, his fever making his stance waver. Still, his glare hardened, sharp enough to make even his kin hesitate.
"I'll lessen the number of family members in this world."
The words dropped like a curse, heavy and absolute.
A stunned silence followed. Even the younger men stiffened, their smirks fading. Veer's brother's lips parted as if to protest, but no words came.
Veer's father, however, didn't flinch. His expression darkened further, fury etched into every line of his face. But for the first time, he hesitated—not because of Kaya, but because of his son, standing sick and trembling, yet ready to turn his back on blood for the sake of the woman before them.
And Kaya… she stared at Veer, a strange weight pressing against her chest. He was burning up, barely able to stand—yet here he was, drawing a line of fire between her and the world.
