The sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, spreading golden warmth across the Singhania bedroom. Ananya stirred slowly, her eyes fluttering open. For a moment, she felt an unusual calm. Her hand reached to the other side of the bed — empty.

She sat up, adjusting the duvet, her eyes catching the neatly folded coat of Devansh on the couch. She remembered last night… the gift, the drive, the way he carried her inside. A small smile crept to her lips, only to fade as reality and distance struck again.

Just then, the door opened and Devansh entered — in his joggers and plain black T-shirt, sweat glistening on his forehead from his early morning workout. He carried two mugs of coffee.

"Good morning, Mrs. Singhania," placing one cup in front of her.

"Coffee? From you? What’s the occasion?"said Ananya surprised,with a faint smile.

"Bas socha… you deserve it after the way you handled everyone last night."Devansh said sitting casually on the chair

Ananya sighs, remembering the guest’s words "Hmm… people will always have something to say."

Devansh looking at her seriously "Let them talk. I don’t care. And neither should you."

Ananya gives him a sharp look "Easy for you to say, Dev. Words don’t cut you the same way they cut me."

A silence followed. Devansh sipped his coffee, eyes lingering on her, as if wanting to say more, but his past still chained him.

Breaking the tension, Ananya stood up.

"Anyway, I’m getting late. Meetings won’t wait for Mrs. CEO."

Devansh said half-teasing "And Mr. Business Tycoon has a flight to Delhi. So, I guess we both run on schedules more than… feelings."

Ananya stopped in her tracks and turned back sharply, her brows knitting.

“Delhi??”

Devansh, still in his workout tracks, was toweling off his hair. He looked up at her and gave a small nod.

“Hmm. Ek deal signing hai… Dad wants me there personally.”

Ananya asked frowning, arms folded “Aur mujhe kab batane wale the? Boarding gate pe??”

Devansh half-smirks, slipping the towel around his neck “Bata hi toh raha hoon abhi. Tum waise bhi apni meetings mein busy rahogi.”

Ananya sighs, walking closer “Dev… main sirf apni meetings mein busy nahi rehti. I’m your wife too. Kabhi toh… kabhi toh share kar liya karo. Plans, thoughts… kuch bhi.”

Devansh’s smirk faltered. For a moment his eyes softened, a flicker of pain and distance flashing through them.

Devansh said quietly, almost to himself “Normal couples…”

Ananya,gently, realizing his change “Dev, I didn’t mean—”

Devansh cuts her off, suddenly standing up straighter “Chhodo. Sirf teen din ki baat hai. Tum sambhaal logi yahan.”

Ananya’s lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile.

“Sambhalna toh mujhe hamesha hi padta hai…”said Ananya,her voice low.

Devansh stilled for a second, then grabbed his T-shirt from the bed, muttering,

“Apna khayal rakhna, Anu.” said Devansh.

And with that, he turned and left for the wardrobe to change into his office attire, leaving Ananya staring after him—half hurt, half longing.

In a vast, dimly lit basement, a faint metallic scent of iron and dampness hung in the air, a stark contrast to the heavy silence. The hum of flickering fluorescent lights cast long, distorted shadows across concrete walls, while chains dangled from the ceiling. The only sound was the rhythmic drip of water, echoing off the surfaces.

In the center of the room, a man named Mehra, soaked and bruised, was bound securely to a metal chair. He gasped for air, jolted awake by a bucket of ice-cold water. His eyes, wide with fear, fell upon a woman sitting across from him. Ananya Devansh Singhania was the picture of terrifying calm, her legs crossed and hands neatly folded in her lap.

"I hope you liked my hospitality, Mr. Mehra," she said, her voice smooth but icy as she leaned slightly forward.

Mehra stammered, fear dripping from every word. "Ma'am... ma'am... please... please let me go, ma'am..."

Ananya's eyes narrowed. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and piercing him with an unblinking gaze. "Answer my questions directly, Mehra, or else it will be much worse for you."

He shivered, his voice cracking. "I... I don't know anything, ma'am! Please!"

Her voice remained dangerously calm. "Who do you work for, Mehra?"

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he fumbled for an answer, unable to meet her gaze.

Ananya leaned closer, her whisper lethal. "I asked you a question, Mehra. Don't waste my time. Answer me. Now."

Mehra's voice was a whimper. "I... I work... I work for... I... I can't... please...

She sat back slightly, her voice rising but still unnervingly composed. "Try again, Mehra. Think carefully. Don't lie. You know I will know the moment you do."

Panicked, his body trembling, his eyes darted around the room. "I... I work for....."

A faint, deadly smile curved Ananya's lips. "Interesting... You should have thought before betraying Singhania."

"Kill him," Ananya said, Her voice was ice-cold and controlled, each syllable dripping with authority and danger.She stood up and walked toward the door. The guard, without hesitation, raised his weapon and ended Mehra's life with a single shot.

Ananya stepped out of the basement into a dimly lit corridor, where Piya was waiting.

"Now what mam?" Piya asked, her voice low.

"No one...," Ananya replied, not looking at her, her gaze fixed on the wall opposite. "No one is to know about this. Not a soul. He was a ghost, Piya. A ghost who betrayed us."

Piya nodded slowly. "Understood. The body will be taken care of. There will be no trace."

"Good," Ananya said, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I don't want any loose ends."

"Yes mam," Piya assured her, her tone firm. "Consider it done."

____________________________________________________________________________________

Ananya sat in her sleek, glass-walled office at Rathore Industries, the city skyline a sprawling backdrop behind her. Papers were scattered across her desk, her laptop screen illuminating reports, yet her focus was elsewhere. She leaned back, tapping a pen against the desk, her mind replaying the events of the previous night—Kabir's words, Devansh's presence, the quiet terrace. A sigh escaped her lips, her expression softening for a fleeting moment before she forced herself back into a state of composure.

The silence was broken by her phone buzzing on the wooden desk. A small, involuntary smile touched her lips as she saw the caller ID.

"Hello, patidev... already missing me, huh?" she answered, her voice laced with playful mischief.

On the other end, Devansh was in his own office, signing documents at a polished oak desk. His tie was slightly loosened, but at the sound of her voice, a smirk appeared on his face.

"Missing you? Hmm. I called to remind you not to bankrupt Rathore Industries with that overthinking brain of yours."

Ananya rolled her eyes, her smile widening. "Oh, really? So Mr. Singhania thinks he's funny now?"

"I've always been funny. You just take too long to laugh," he countered.

"Haan haan, keep flattering yourself," she said, leaning back in her chair, playing along.

A comfortable silence settled between them, a familiar pause that required no words.

Then, Devansh's voice came, lower and softer, yet with his usual commanding undertone. "Alright, Anu... enough. You've been working continuously since morning. Take some rest."

Ananya sat up, surprised. "And how exactly do you know that?"

Devansh leaned back in his leather chair, a lazy, confident smirk on his lips. "I know each and every thing about you, Mrs. Singhania.

His words struck her unexpectedly, her breath catching as her heart stumbled against her ribs. She felt a flush rise to her cheeks and her fingers tightened on the pen she was holding. A flutter of both excitement and apprehension bloomed in her chest. She bit her lip, trying to dismiss the feeling, but his words echoed in her mind.

"You and your overconfidence, Devansh..." she said, her voice softer, almost betraying her emotions.

He chuckled lightly. "Call it what you want. But you forget—I can read you better than you think."

Her throat went dry. She turned to the window, a ridiculous smile threatening to escape as her heart beat far too fast for her liking.

Ananya leaned back in her chair, twirling her pen between her fingers.

“Alright, as you say, Mr. Singhania.”

A soft chuckle came through the line.

“Good.”

She tilted her head and smiled faintly. “Had your lunch?”

“No,” he replied casually, his pen scratching over paper in the background. “Just about to. What about you?”

Ananya glanced at the untouched plate on her desk and sighed. “I’ll have it now.”

“Hmm. Better. Don’t even think of skipping it, Anu. You know I’ll find out,” his voice carried that firm undertone of authority but laced with a strange softness only she could bring out of him.

Her heart did a little flip at that. Why does he say things like that so casually… as if he really does know me better than I know myself?

Trying to cover her sudden flutter, she asked quickly, “When will you come back from Delhi?”

There was silence for a beat before his low smirk slipped into his voice.

“Already missing me, Mrs. Singhania?”

She rolled her eyes but the corner of her lips betrayed her, curving upward. “We have a meeting, Mr. CEO. Don’t flatter yourself.”

A husky chuckle escaped him. “After four days.”

Her brows furrowed instantly. “But you said three.”

“Yeah, I did,” he admitted, sounding far too calm. “But some urgent work has come up, so I’ll have to stay an extra day.”

Her fingers stilled on the desk. One more day shouldn’t matter, but for some reason, it did. She pressed her lips together, hiding the faint disappointment. “Okay,” she said softly.

On the other end, Devansh leaned back in his chair, his gaze unknowingly softening. He could hear it in her tone, the way that single word carried more weight than she intended.

"Alright, Anu, I'll talk to you later. Take care. Bye," Devansh said.

"You too. Take care. Bye," Ananya replied, and the call disconnected..

She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. A thought echoed in her mind: Sometimes you pretend you don't care, but sometimes you pretend you do. What's wrong with you, Dev?

A sudden crack snapped her out of her reverie. She had been so deep in thought that she didn’t notice her hand pressing too hard against the glass beside her. The pane shattered, and a thin stream of blood trickled down her fingers. Her expression remained eerily calm, almost neutral, as if the pain didn’t touch her.

“Anu!!”

Her eyes snapped open. Kabir stood at the doorway, panic written all over his face.

He ran toward her, dropping to his knees to grab her hand. “Are you mad? Where were you lost? Look what happened!” His eyes widened as he examined the cut, his hands trembling slightly.

“It’s alright, Kabir… it’s nothing,” Ananya said softly, trying to pull her hand back.

“It is not nothing, Anu!” Kabir interrupted sharply. He didn’t give her a chance to protest. “Stay still. Don’t move your hand. What were you thinking, being lost in your thoughts like that?”

He quickly ran to the washroom, returning with a first aid kit. His hands moved with precision, unwrapping antiseptic wipes and gently cleaning the wound. Ananya flinched slightly, but she didn’t pull away.

“What if Dev comes to know about this?” Kabir asked, his voice low but urgent, his gaze sharp. “Do you know what will happen next?”

Ananya’s lips curved into a faint, almost sad smile. “Until you say anything, Kabir… I’m safe. He won’t know.”

Kabir’s jaw tightened. “Anu… this isn’t safe. You can’t just ignore yourself like this. You think hiding everything keeps you safe, but it doesn’t. You’re hurting yourself!”

“I know,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “But… some things, some feelings, they’re mine alone. Until I’m ready… it stays that way.”

Kabir’s hands paused over hers for a moment. His eyes softened slightly, but the concern never left his voice. “Anu… promise me you’ll be more careful. Please. I can’t… I can’t stand seeing you like this again.”

She met his gaze, her own steady but serious. “I promise, Kabir… I’ll be careful. But this… this is something I have to handle myself.”

He let out a slow breath, finally applying a bandage to her hand. “Fine… but if anything happens again, you call me immediately. Understood?”

“Understood,” she said, letting him finish, her hand now safely wrapped.

Kabir gave a final glance at her, his voice almost a whisper, “Don’t ever put yourself in danger like this again… not even for a moment.”

Ananya simply nodded, her expression neutral, but inside her chest, her heart was pounding—not from the injury, but from the weight of his concern.

“So… what did Mehra say?” Kabir asked, his voice steady but his eyes searching hers for answers.

Ananya let out a slow, weary sigh, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. “It was them,” she said quietly, her voice calm but edged with determination.

Kabir’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Seriously??”

“Yeah,” Ananya replied firmly, lifting her gaze to meet his. “But now… they won’t dare try anything again. I won’t let them. Not ever.”

Kabir exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face as if trying to absorb the weight of her words. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t find out the truth,” he said finally, his tone low, almost worried.

Ananya nodded, her expression serious, her jaw set. “I hope that too,” she said, the unspoken tension between them hanging heavy in the air.

For a moment, they sat in silence, the quiet only broken by the faint hum of the office around them. Kabir’s gaze lingered on her, a mixture of concern and admiration, while Ananya’s mind raced with everything that needed to be kept hidden.

The delicate balance of secrets, loyalty, and danger pressed down on them both—but for now, they shared the unspoken understanding: some truths were better left buried.

“I’m heading back home. I just need some peace,” Ananya said softly, her voice carrying a quiet exhaustion.

“Of course,” Kabir replied, his eyes serious. “You go. I’ll handle the rest here. And… you must take care of yourself.”

Ananya gave him a small, knowing smile, her fingers brushing over her phone as if to steady herself. “And you better not say anything about this to Dev… or else you know what I’ll do.”

Kabir chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah… chill, bhari bandook. Don’t worry, Anu. Your secret’s safe with me.”

Ananya let out a soft laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. She shook her head and stood from her seat, slipping her bag over her shoulder. With a small nod to Kabir, she walked out of the office building and into the warm afternoon sunlight.

The city buzzed around her, cars honking and people moving about their day, but she barely noticed. Her thoughts were elsewhere, focused on the quiet she was about to reclaim.

She slid into her car, the leather seat familiar and comforting beneath her. As the engine roared to life, she exhaled slowly, letting the tension drain from her body. Her mind wandered briefly to Devansh, to the complications of their marriage, and to the delicate balance of secrets she carried.

The drive to Singhania Mansion was peaceful, the city lights gradually giving way to the quiet, tree-lined streets leading to home. She sat back in her seat, letting the familiar comfort of home wash over her as the mansion slowly came into view, its grand gates welcoming her back.

Ananya knew one thing for certain: tonight, she would find her moment of peace, if only for a little while.

Ananya stepped into the mansion, the familiar warmth and laughter immediately wrapping around her. In the hall, Sanya and Rohan were engrossed in their usual playful banter, their voices bouncing off the walls. Rajveer and Meenakshi watched them with fond smiles, their eyes reflecting the joy of family life.

Seeing them, a soft smile tugged at Ananya’s lips. She walked over and sat beside Meenakshi, resting her bandaged hand gently on her lap.

“Look at these two,” Meenakshi said softly, shaking her head, “always arguing over the tiniest things.”

“Bhabhi, you should see him when he tries to cook,” Sanya chimed in, a teasing lilt in her voice.

Rohan laughed, rolling his eyes, “And you act like you’re any better, Sanya. You almost burned the kitchen last week!”

Ananya laughed softly, the warmth of the moment washing over her. “Some things never change, huh?” she said, her gaze drifting between them.

Meenakshi’s eyes softened as she reached for Ananya’s hand. That’s when her gaze fell on the bandage. Concern immediately replaced her smile.

“Anu, baccha… how did this happen?” she asked gently, her voice tight with worry.

Ananya sighed, glancing down at her hand. “It’s… nothing serious, mumma. Just a little accident at the office. Glass broke while I was distracted.”

Rajveer frowned slightly, stepping closer. “Nothing serious? Anu, you can’t keep hurting yourself and calling it nothing. Look at your hand!”

Sanya leaned closer, her tone a mix of concern and exasperation. “Seriously, bhabhi! You could have been badly hurt. What were you even thinking?”

Rohan added, shaking his head, “Yeah, this is not like you at all. You need to be careful, bhabhi. We can’t always be there to stop you.”

Ananya smiled faintly, squeezing Meenakshi’s hand reassuringly. “I’m fine, I promise. Really. Kabir already took care of it, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Meenakshi gave a soft nod but didn’t let go of her hand, her worry still evident. “Baccha… just be careful, okay? You can’t protect everyone if you don’t protect yourself first.”

Ananya’s lips curved into a small, grateful smile. “I know, mumma. I’ll be careful.”

Rajveer, still frowning but softening slightly, said, “Alright, alright. But if anything happens again, you’ll hear it from all of us, understood?”

“Understood,” Ananya said, her voice gentle but firm, letting them feel her calm assurance while the faint ache in her hand reminded her of the day’s tension.

Ananya glanced at Rajveer, her bandaged hand resting on her lap. She gave him a small pout, trying to soften the tension in the room.

“And please,” she said, her voice light but firm, “don’t tell Dev about this. Or else… you know what he’ll do.”

Rajveer raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at his lips despite his concern. “Hmm… I think I do know, baccha. He’ll probably make a huge scene, lecture you, and then sulk for the rest of the day.”

Ananya giggled softly, nudging his shoulder. “Exactly. And I really don’t need that drama right now. So you better keep quiet, papa.”

Rajveer chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, alright… your secret’s safe with me. But don’t think I’m letting go off that easily.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Of course not, papa. You are always dramatic anyway. But thanks, I appreciate it.”

Rajveer reached out and ruffled her hair gently. “Just… promise me you’ll be more careful, Anu. We can handle threats outside, but not you hurting yourself.”

Ananya smiled softly, squeezing his hand. “I promise, papa. I’ll be careful.”

Meenakshi gave her a relieved smile, and even Sanya and Rohan relaxed a little, knowing that for now, the secret—and the tension—was safely contained.

“So...,Wanna have ice cream, baccha?” Rajveer asked, tilting his head with a soft smile.

Ananya’s eyes instantly lit up, her pout vanishing as if it was never there. “Really??” she asked, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Rajveer chuckled at her childlike reaction. “Yes, really. Now go and freshen up, I’ll bring it for you.”

“Okieeee!” Ananya chirped, a wide grin spreading across her face. Without wasting another second, she sprang to her feet and practically skipped toward the stairs.

Meenakshi shook her head with fondness, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. “She’s twenty-seven, yet sometimes she behaves like she’s seven,” she said warmly.

Rajveer laughed softly, his gaze following Ananya’s retreating figure. “And that’s what makes her our Anu. No matter what storms she faces, she still knows how to smile.”

Sanya leaned against Rohan, smiling. “True, papa. She’s the strongest person I know.”

Rohan nodded in agreement, his tone teasing yet affectionate. “Strong, yes. But also a complete ice-cream addict.”

Everyone laughed softly, the hall filling with warmth and love, as upstairs Ananya disappeared into her room with a rare spark of joy dancing in her eyes.

Ananya returned to the main hall, her face glowing slightly from the brief ice-cream break. The aroma of the dinner filled the room, and the soft chatter of the family created a comforting atmosphere. She walked over and took a seat beside Rajveer, who smiled warmly at her.

“Looks like someone’s in a good mood,” Rajveer teased, glancing at her brightly lit face.

“Ice cream, papa,” Ananya said cheerfully, shrugging as if that explained everything.

Sanya giggled, nudging Rohan. “See, bhaii? Even a little dessert can turn her into a completely different person.”

Rohan laughed, raising his fork in mock salute. “I’ll remember that for future reference.”

Meenakshi, noticing Ananya’s bandaged hand again, asked gently, “Baccha… you’re smiling, but how’s your hand? Is it feeling better?”

“Yes, mumma. Kabir took care of it,” Ananya replied softly, giving her mother a reassuring glance.

Then Meenakshi’s tone shifted, curiosity mixing with concern. “When will Devansh return?”

“He’ll come back after four days, mumma,” Ananya said calmly, though a faint shadow passed across her face at the thought.

Rajveer raised an eyebrow, concerned. “Four days? That’s a long time. You’ll be managing everything here by yourself?”

Ananya smiled faintly. “Yes, papa. I can handle it. Don’t worry.”

Sanya leaned closer, teasing lightly, “Handled everything already today, didn’t you, bhabhi? Ice cream, meeting, family… You’re unstoppable.”

Rohan chuckled, nodding. “Yeah, but even superheroes need rest sometimes. Make sure you take care of yourself, Bhabhi.”

Ananya glanced at her family, feeling the warmth and care surrounding her. “I promise, I’ll be careful. Don’t worry about me,” she said, her voice steady but soft, a mix of gratitude and resolve.

Meenakshi reached out, placing a hand over hers. “Just remember, baccha… we are always here for you. Don’t ever think you have to face anything alone.”

Ananya smiled, squeezing her mother’s hand lightly. “I know, mumma. Thank you.”

The soft chatter resumed, laughter and teasing filling the room, but a small, quiet tension lingered in Ananya’s mind—Devansh’s return in four days, and the secrets she still carried, waiting silently.

Ananya reached out for the spoon, but before she could take it, Meenakshi gently lifted it and said with a soft smile, “No, baccha… I’ll feed my baby today.”

Ananya chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “Mumma… I’m not a kid anymore, you know?”

“I know, meri gudiya,” Meenakshi said warmly, leaning closer. “But some things never change. Let me take care of you for a little while.”

Ananya’s lips curved into a small, affectionate smile. “Alright, mumma.”

Meenakshi scooped a bite and carefully fed it to her. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Ananya laughed softly, savoring the moment. “It’s actually… kind of nice. Feels like I’m back to being a little girl again.”

Meenakshi’s eyes twinkled. “Exactly, baccha. Sometimes it’s okay to let someone care for you… even if you’re all grown up.”

Ananya nodded, closing her eyes briefly as she enjoyed the warmth of her mother’s love. “Thank you, mumma,” she whispered.

Meenakshi brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Always, meri gudiya. Always.”

As Meenakshi continued feeding Ananya, Rajveer leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with a small chuckle. “I see the ice cream didn’t spoil you enough, baccha. Now you’re letting your mum feed you too?”

Ananya laughed softly. “Papa, it’s just a small moment… nothing wrong with it.”

Sanya smirked, leaning toward Rohan. “See, bhai? Bhabhi still acts like a little child sometimes. Some things never change.”

Rohan grinned, nodding. “Exactly. And I have to say, seeing her like this… it’s kind of adorable.”

Rajveer wagged a finger at them both. “Adorable, huh? You two better not start teasing her too much. She’s still my little girl.”

Ananya rolled her eyes playfully. “Papa, relax. I can handle a little teasing.”

Meenakshi laughed softly. “Yes, but sometimes it’s nice to just be cared for… even by your family.”

Sanya grinned, reaching over to poke Ananya gently on the shoulder. “Careful, bhabhi, or we’ll start taking advantage of you too!”

Rohan laughed, adding, “Yeah, next thing you know, we’ll be feeding you dessert every night!”

Ananya smiled, shaking her head and letting out a soft laugh. “Alright, alright… you all are hopeless, but fine. I’ll allow it just this once.”

Rajveer chuckled, his eyes softening as he watched her. “That’s my girl. Always so strong, but still our Anu at heart.”

Ananya glanced at her family, warmth filling her chest. Even with the weight of everything going on in her life, moments like these reminded her that she had people who loved her unconditionally.

They were all enjoying the evening, laughter and chatter filling the air, when suddenly Ananya’s phone lit up with a notification. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she picked it up, her eyes scanning the message.

“I’m back… Ms. Rathore.”

Her jaw tightened, and a flash of unease crossed her features. She quickly set the phone aside, forcing herself to act normal.

Rajveer, noticing the slight change in her expression, leaned forward, concern etched on his face. “Everything okay, baccha?”

Ananya lifted her gaze, offering him a gentle, practiced smile. “Yeah, papa… everything’s fine. I just… need some rest.”

Before anyone could respond, she stood abruptly, brushing past them and heading toward her room.

Rajveer and Meenakshi exchanged a worried glance, their expressions silently questioning the sudden shift in her mood.

“She’s hiding something,” Meenakshi murmured softly, a tinge of worry in her voice.

Rajveer nodded, his jaw tightening. “Yes… and I have a feeling this isn’t something small. We’ll need to keep an eye on her.”

Upstairs, Ananya closed her door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, the weight of the message pressing down on her. Her heart raced slightly, and her mind spun with possibilities. Whoever had sent that message… it meant trouble.

She let out a slow, measured breath and pushed herself toward her vanity, trying to steady her emotions. But deep down, she knew: things were about to get a lot more complicated.

“Is he back?” she murmured under her breath, her voice barely audible.

“No… no, no… he can’t be…” Her breath hitched, chest rising and falling rapidly as panic started to creep in.

Just then, her phone lit up with an incoming call. She froze for a moment, heart pounding, before slowly looking at the screen.

Devansh Singhania

Swallowing hard, she answered the call.

“Hello?” Her voice was calm, but her fingers trembled slightly as she held the phone.

“Anu,” Devansh’s voice came through, smooth and slightly teasing as always, “already missing me?”

She tried to force a small laugh. “Oh… you know… just a little.”

“Just a little, huh?” he replied, a smirk almost audible through his tone. “I’m in Delhi, busy as always, but I couldn’t resist checking in on my Mrs. Singhania.”

Ananya’s chest tightened, but she kept her voice steady. “You shouldn’t be worrying about me, Dev. I’m perfectly fine here.”

“Perfectly fine?” His tone softened slightly, though the teasing edge remained. “Anu… I know you. I know when you’re lying to me, even over the phone.”

She let out a short breath, a fluttering in her stomach. “Alright… maybe I’m a little tired. That’s all.”

“Just a little?” Devansh asked, his voice low, almost warning. “You’ve been working nonstop, haven’t you?”

Ananya’s fingers tightened around the phone. “I can handle it, Dev. You don’t need to worry.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, a smirk in his voice. “Mrs. Singhania, you’re starting to sound like a stubborn CEO now.”

Ananya let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “And you’re still the same grumpy CEO who can’t move on from his own stubbornness.”

Devansh chuckled lightly, the sound sending a strange calm through her. “Alright, Anu… I’ll let you get some rest. But take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will,” she said softly, her heart still racing.

“Good. Alright… talk to you later,” he said, and the line clicked as he hung up.

Ananya held the phone in her hand for a moment, her chest heavy with conflicting emotions—relief, worry, and something deeper that she couldn’t yet name.

She moved quietly toward the balcony, her bare feet making soft sounds against the polished floor. The cold breeze swept past her, brushing her hair against her face and sending a shiver down her spine.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the wind wash over her, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts inside her mind. The distant city lights flickered below, and the night was eerily quiet, almost as if the world itself was holding its breath.

After a long pause, she opened her eyes, her gaze distant yet determined. Softly, almost a whisper, she murmured,

“Krishna Sada Sahayate.”

The words hung in the air, a silent prayer for guidance and protection. A sense of calm settled over her, though the tension in her heart remained, a reminder that the battles ahead were far from over.

She took a deep breath, letting the night embrace her, steeling herself for whatever was coming next.

____________________________________________________________________________________

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