The house was silent again…
But this silence wasn't peaceful.
It was waiting.
Ariya's Fear Grows
Ariya Verma sat on the bed, her hand resting protectively on her stomach.
Her breathing was uneven.
Every moment replayed in her mind—
the attack…
the man…
the words…
"Next time… we won't miss."
She closed her eyes tightly.
"I can't lose this…" she whispered.
"I can't lose our child…"
Arnav Becomes Someone Else
Across the house, Arnav Malhotra stood in the dark, staring at a screen full of data, faces, locations.
But this wasn't the same Arnav.
Not calm.
Not distant.
This was something else.
Focused. Ruthless. Dangerous.
"They tracked her…
They knew the timing…
They knew her weakness…"
His jaw tightened.
"This isn't random."
The First Lead
One of his men stepped forward.
"Sir… we found something."
Arnav's eyes sharpened.
"Speak."
"The attacker from yesterday… he's connected to someone called Karan Mehta."
Silence.
Arnav's expression changed instantly.
"Karan…" he repeated slowly.
Ariya, who had just entered the room, froze.
"I've heard that name…" she said softly.
Arnav turned toward her.
"Yes," he said.
"And that's not a coincidence."
The Dark Connection
Arnav placed a file in front of her.
Karan Mehta—
A powerful man.
Rich. Influential.
Dangerous.
And worst of all—
An old rival of Ariya's father.
"They couldn't touch your father directly," Arnav explained.
"So now… they're coming after what he left behind."
Ariya's heart dropped.
"So this isn't just about control…"
"No," Arnav said coldly.
"This is revenge."
Ariya's Breaking Point
Her hands started shaking.
"They're targeting my child… for revenge?"
Tears filled her eyes again.
"I can't… I can't let anything happen…"
Before she could break down, Arnav stepped forward and held her tightly.
"Nothing will happen," he said firmly.
But this time…
His voice wasn't just comforting.
It was a promise backed by war.
The Decision That Changes Everything
Ariya looked up at him, her voice trembling.
"What are we going to do?"
Arnav didn't hesitate.
His eyes darkened.
"We don't wait."
A pause.
"We find him… before he finds us again."
Ariya's breath caught.
"You're going after him?"
Arnav stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous.
"I'm not just going after him…"
His gaze hardened.
"I'm ending this."
Love Before War
That night, before everything would change again—
Ariya stood beside him, holding his hand tightly.
"Promise me something…" she whispered.
Arnav looked at her.
"Come back."
A small silence.
Then—
He lifted her hand gently, placing it against his chest.
"I always do," he said softly.
Then his hand moved to her stomach.
"And now… I have two reasons to." ❤️