The night was heavier than usual.
Not from rain…
But from fear.
Anaya couldn't sleep.
She sat on the bed, staring at Kabir's empty side.
He was still downstairs.
Still working.
Still fighting something invisible.
Downstairs—
Kabir stood in front of multiple screens.
Eyes sharp.
Fingers moving fast.
But nothing was stopping the attack.
Every system he rebuilt…
was breaking again.
He whispered coldly:
"He's inside the network…"
Not a hacker.
Not a team.
A mind.
Suddenly—
A security alarm BLARED.
Kabir's head snapped up.
"WHAT NOW?"
His head of security rushed in.
"Sir… someone breached the outer gate—"
Kabir's eyes darkened instantly.
"And you're telling me NOW?"
Before the man could respond—
BOOM 💥
A blast echoed outside the mansion walls.
Anaya woke up instantly.
Her heart dropped.
She ran out.
Barefoot.
"KABIR!!"
Kabir turned sharply—
And froze.
Smoke outside the gates.
Security chaos.
Lights flashing red.
Anaya reached him.
"What happened?!"
Kabir grabbed her wrist immediately.
Firm.
Protective.
"Stay behind me."
Anaya's voice shook:
"Is it him?"
Kabir didn't answer.
Because he already knew.
Yes.
A second explosion shook the ground.
Kabir's jaw tightened.
"Move her inside. NOW."
He ordered security.
Anaya resisted.
"I'm not leaving you!"
Kabir looked at her sharply—
Then softer.
"This is not a discussion, Anaya."
But before she could reply—
A BLACK CAR appeared outside the broken gate.
Slow.
Calm.
Unhurried.
The door opened.
And a man stepped out.
Aarav Sinha.
No rush.
No anger.
Only control.
He looked at Kabir… then Anaya.
And smiled.
"So… she's still with you."
Anaya's breath caught.
Kabir stepped forward instantly.
"Leave."
Aarav tilted his head.
"Still ordering me around?"
He walked closer… slowly.
"I came to check something."
Kabir's voice turned dangerous.
"You already did enough."
Aarav stopped a few meters away.
Then looked at Anaya.
Softly:
"Tell me…"
"Do you feel safe with him?"
Anaya froze.
Kabir's hand tightened instantly.
Aarav continued:
"Because everyone he protects…"
"…ends up broken."
Anaya whispered:
"Stop…"
Aarav smiled faintly.
"Oh? Truth hurts?"
Kabir snapped forward—
But security held him back.
Aarav raised his hand.
"Relax Kabir… I didn't come to fight."
He pulled out a small device.
And pressed it.
Instantly—
Kabir's entire system shut down remotely.
Everything went BLACK.
Kabir's eyes widened.
Aarav whispered:
"Now you're blind."
Silence.
Heavy.
Anaya turned to Kabir.
"What did he do?!"
Kabir's voice was low.
"He cut my entire control system…"
Aarav stepped back slowly.
"I told you…"
"This isn't war yet."
He looked at Anaya one last time.
"You'll understand soon…"
Then turned away.
Before leaving, he said softly:
"Take care of her, Kabir…"
"Because this time… I'm not coming for your empire."
He paused.
Smiled.
"I'm coming for her choices."
And he left.
Silence returned.
But nothing felt safe anymore.
Anaya looked at Kabir.
"What does he mean… my choices?"
Kabir didn't answer immediately.
His eyes were dark.
Thinking.
Realizing something deeper.
Then he said quietly:
"He's planning something worse than attack."
Anaya's voice trembled:
"What could be worse than this?"
Kabir looked at her.
Long pause.
"Making you doubt me again…"
"But this time…"
"…permanently."
Anaya's heart sank.
And far away…
Aarav watched everything from his car screen.
Smiling.
"Good…"
"Now fear has started."
💔🔥