Advika's pov
The SUV came to a smooth halt.
He turned to me, his expression unreadable. The tear was not slipping anymore from my eyes
"Listen carefully," he said. "No one in that hall knows who you are. Your father kept you hidden and didn't do anything stupid."
My chest tightened, but I nodded.
He stepped out first, confidence radiating from every movement. Seconds later, my door opened. He stood there like a king welcoming someone into his domain, his hand extended toward me.
"Hold my hand," he ordered quietly.
I placed my hand in his. I hesitated because I didn't want to hold his hand . I hate him. A few moments ago he was taking me forcefully. But he gave me his dangerous glare.
His fingers closed around mine, firm and possessive, grounding me whether I wanted it or not.
As we walked toward the hall together, conversations inside slowly faded, eyes turning, whispers beginning.
I could feel it.
The moment we entered, the room would change.And I would step into a world that was never meant to know my name.
He pushed a chair back with his foot and gestured for me to sit."Don't move from here," he said quietly. "My men are watching you."
Then he walked away, vanishing into the glittering crowd like he owned the place.
The second his back turned, my breath hitched. This was my chance. The only one.
I stood up slowly, my heart pounding so loud I was sure someone could hear it.
"Ma'am," a voice stopped me instantly. "Please sit down. You can't go anywhere."
I turned, forcing panic out of my face.
"I need the washroom," I said, sharp and urgent. "Right now."
The man studied me, then pulled out his phone."I'll have to confirm," he said.
Seconds felt like hours. Finally, he nodded.
"Five minutes," he warned. "The washroom is straight ahead."
I thanked him and started walking, every step controlled, every thought screaming.
Five minutes to decide everything.
Escape... or consequences.
The door shut.I locked it.Then I broke.
My hands slammed onto the sink as I sucked in air, my chest burning like it might explode.
The mirror showed me someone I barely recognized trapped, dressed like a doll, eyes screaming for freedom.
Five minutes. Five fucking minutes.I turned on the tap, letting the water run loud. Sound meant cover.
I checked the window . useless. Thick glass. No opening. Just another lie of hope.
My mind raced.Running straight out? Hiding? Impossible.Waiting? Not an option.
Then I saw it.The fire alarm.
Red. Small. Powerful.
One pull and the entire place would lose its calm. People would panic. Men would move. Orders would clash.
And in chaos... mistakes happen. My fingers hovered inches away from it.
But alarms mean guards. And guards mean him.
I clenched my jaw. But this alarm is the only way to go out . If i press this alaram then the people will start running and in this all I will escape from here . Yes i will press this . Do or die .
My fingers trembled as they wrapped around the small red handle.
One pull.
That's all it took. For half a second, I hesitated heart hammering so loud I was sure someone outside could hear it. Then I thought of the locked doors, the threats, the cold water, the fear stitched into my bones.
I pulled. The alarm screamed.
A sharp, piercing wail tore through the washroom, then the hall beyond it loud, unforgiving, impossible to ignore. Red lights began flashing, bathing the marble walls in chaos.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
Now.
I unlocked the door and stepped out, instantly blending into the confusion. People gasped, voices rose, heels scraped against the floor. Someone shouted about an emergency. Another yelled for security.
I kept my head down, shoulders tense, moving fast but not running.
Don't run. Don't look guilty.Smoke hadn't even started yet, but panic didn't wait for facts. Guests poured toward exits, security men barking orders into their radios, everyone talking at once.
I slipped with the crowd, letting them carry me.
I kept running , heart pounding, telling myself I imagined it.
I ducked behind a pillar as guards rushed past, using the moment to change direction. My heels nearly betrayed me, but I kicked them off and ran barefoot, gripping the fabric of my gown as I pushed through a service corridor.
Exit signs flashed ahead.
Almost there.
I was running when suddenly someone grabbed my wrist.Hard.I gasped and tried to pull away, panic shooting through me. I turned, ready to scream, but the man leaned closer and spoke quickly, urgently.
"Bhabhi..come with me."
I stared at him, shock cutting through my fear.
"Oh hello," I snapped, jerking my hand. "I am not your bhabhi. Let me go."
He didn't loosen his grip, but his expression wasn't cruel.it was tense, almost worried.
"Listen," he said low, glancing around. "If bhai finds you himself, I don't know what he'll do. Come with me and surrender. Please."
My heart skipped.Bhai.That single word clicked everything into place.
Aviraj's brother. So this monster has brother too . Nice
"No," I said sharply. "I won't go with you."
I yanked my hand again, harder this time, and managed to break free.
"Bhabhi, please," he called after me, desperation in his voice. "He will find you sooner or later. Don't make it harder on yourself."
I didn't listen.
I pushed past him, turned on my heel, and ran.
Barefoot, breathless, blind with fear.
I didn't see where I was going.
And then I slammed straight into something solid.A hard chest.
The impact knocked the air out of my lungs and I fell back, crashing onto the cold floor. Pain shot through my palms as I tried to push myself up.
Slow footsteps sounded above me.
I looked up.And my heart stopped.
Aviraj stood there, looking down at me.
The chaos of the alarm, the shouting, the running it all faded. There was only him. Calm. Still. Furious in a way that didn't need volume.
"So," he said quietly, his voice cutting through me like ice,"this is how you repay mercy."
I scrambled back, shaking my head. "I...I just wanted to..."
"Enough," he interrupted.He crouched slightly, not touching me, but close enough that I could feel the danger rolling off him.
"so my little wife was running again," he continued calmly. "but she failed"
A pause.
"You're very brave today, Advika."His eyes hardened."Get up."
Not shouted.Not threatened.A command.
And somehow, that was worse.
I barely had time to steady myself when everything exploded.
Shouts rang out.Men in black surged in from different directions, guns raised and then the sound that froze my blood.
Gunfire.
The hall erupted into chaos. Screams. Glass shattering. People running in every direction. The air filled with panic and smoke as bullets tore through the silence.
Aviraj reacted instantly."Fire back," he commanded sharply, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
His men moved with brutal precision. What followed wasn't a party anymore it was a battlefield.
My ears rang as I stood frozen, heart slamming painfully against my ribs. I knew deep in my gut that something terrible was unfolding. Something far bigger than me.
Suddenly, a strong grip closed around my arm.Aviraj.He pulled me toward him, his body turning slightly to shield me from the chaos.
"Enough," he snapped, eyes scanning the room. Then, without looking away from the fight, he barked,
"Abhishek take her home. Safely."
Abhishek didn't argue. He nodded once, firmly, and pulled me away from the noise.
"Come," he said urgently.
He guided me through a side exit, keeping his body between me and the gunfire. A black SUV waited outside, the engine already running.
He opened the door. "Get in."
I didn't argue this time.
The door slammed shut, and seconds later the car sped away, tires screeching against the road. My hands shook as I stared out the window, the echoes of gunshots still ringing in my ears.
Neither of us spoke.
The mansion gates opened, and the SUV slid inside before closing again behind us cutting me off from the world.
Abhishek parked and turned toward me.
"Bhabhi," he said firmly, "go straight to your room."
I shook my head. "No. Let me go. Please."
His jaw tightened. He stared at me hard.
"If bhai finds out you're not in your room and that you tried to escape again," he said quietly, "he won't hesitate before killing both of us "
He let out a short, humorless laugh.
"am i joking?" I said sharply. "Then why are you laughing?"
The smile vanished instantly and smirks came to his face
" dear bhabi, please go to your room " he replied coldly. " because ,I don't want myself dead. I am young yet " what is he joking to me ?
I clenched my fists. " I said don't call me bhabhi ! And fucking let me go !!"My voice echoed in the corridor.
In one swift movement, he grabbed my wrist not painfully, but firm enough that I couldn't pull away.
"Stop," he warned. "You're making this worse."
"Let me go!" I struggled, but he didn't tighten his grip he just kept moving.
We reached my door.
He unlocked it, pushed it open, and guided me inside.
"Stay here," he said sharply. "Don't scream. You've already pushed him far enough."
I glared at him, chest heaving."i didn't know that you were cursing," he added.
Then he stepped back, closed the door, and locked it from the outside.The sound echoed in the room.
Alone again.
I slid down against the door, shaking my heart still racing, my mind screaming one truth louder than anything else. I missed a change to escape. Fuck fuck fuck he caught and cherry on top I did what he said to no . God knows what he will do but i know that I couldn't bear that .