The Walk Away

The tension in the room was suffocating.

Ayush gripped the file in his hands, his thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and anger. Arnav was standing in front of him, his expression controlled, but Ayush had known his brother long enough to recognize the storm brewing beneath.

"Ayush," Arnav’s voice was firm, unwavering. "I said we’re leaving."

Ayush clenched his jaw. His whole life, he had followed Arnav’s rules—no questions, no explanations, just obedience.

But tonight?

Tonight, Devraj had shown him something real.

Something that made him wonder: Has Arnav been lying to us all along?

"I’m not a kid, Arnav," Ayush said, his voice sharp. "You can’t just show up and order me around like I don’t have a say."

Arnav’s eyes darkened. "This isn’t about control. It’s about keeping you alive."

"Alive? Or under your command?" Ayush shot back. "Because from where I’m standing, Devraj’s the only one who actually told me the truth."

A deadly silence fell.

Anirudh, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "You think Devraj Malhotra is telling you the truth?" His voice was laced with disbelief. "You’re actually trusting him over your own family?"

Ayush hesitated. "I don’t know what to believe anymore."

Arnav took a slow step forward. "Then let me make it simple for you." His voice was dangerously low. "If you walk out of here with me, I’ll tell you everything. No more secrets. No more half-truths."

Ayush’s heart pounded. He had waited years for Arnav to say that.

"But," Arnav continued, "if you stay here, if you let Devraj poison your mind, then you are no longer my problem."

Ayush’s breath hitched.

He turned to Devraj, who was watching with an amused smirk.

Then back to Arnav—his eldest brother, the man who had raised him, protected him… controlled him.

Ayush’s hands tightened around the file.

And then—

He stepped forward.

Towards Arnav.

"I want answers," he said quietly.

Arnav exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders. "You’ll get them."

Without another word, Arnav turned and walked out.

Ayush followed. Anirudh, still cautious, kept his gaze on Devraj before leaving as well.

The moment they were gone, Devraj’s smirk widened.

"Well, well… seems like the cracks are starting to show."

And he wasn’t done yet.

To Be Continued…