Ishaan had no idea about Naina's sudden departure to Kashmir; the only ones aware were Shalini and Karan. He had just returned from his island, his mind clouded with thoughts of Naina and how he would confront her about his recent behavior. Determined to see her, he started his car and drove towards her house.

But before he could get far, his phone rang. It was his mother, Savitri. Her trembling voice immediately set off alarms in Ishaan's head.

"Ishaan... come home... quickly," she stammered.

"What happened, Maa?" Ishaan demanded, panic creeping into his tone.

Savitri couldn't seem to get the words out. After a few moments of silence, she simply said, "Just come home, beta. Please, come home now."

Unease clawed at his chest as he turned the car around and sped towards his family mansion. A sense of dread settled over him, but nothing could have prepared him for what he was about to see.

The moment Ishaan stepped inside the house, his world tilted on its axis. His father lay lifeless on the floor, blood pooling around him. His mother sat on the cold marble floor, utterly shattered, her face pale, her body trembling. She looked like a woman who had lost everything.

Ishaan froze. His breath hitched. The air around him grew thick, suffocating. For a moment, his legs refused to move, and his mind refused to comprehend the scene in front of him.

He dropped to his knees, his heart pounding so loudly it drowned out every other sound. His gaze darted from the blood to his father's lifeless body, to the pistol that lay not far from his hand.

It was a sight Ishaan had never imagined, not even in his darkest thoughts. His father-a man he had hated with every fiber of his being, a man he had plotted to destroy-had taken his own life.

His lips quivered as he tried to speak, but no words came out. The questions in his head spun wildly: Why? Why now? Was it because of me? Did my hatred push him to do this?

He crawled closer to his mother, who was rocking back and forth, muttering incoherent words under her breath. Her tears fell silently, but her anguish was deafening.

"Maa... what... what happened?" Ishaan's voice was hoarse, barely audible.

Savitri turned her tear-streaked face towards him, her eyes bloodshot and hollow. "He left us, Ishaan. He... he couldn't take it anymore," she whispered, her voice breaking into sobs.

Ishaan's heart clenched painfully. His father had been no saint-he had wronged countless people, betrayed his own father and family-but seeing him like this, lifeless and broken, shook Ishaan to his core. He had hated the man, yes, but he never wanted this.

He stared at his father's face, now devoid of life. Memories-good and bad-flashed before his eyes. The man who had once been his hero as a child, who had taught him how to ride a bike, who had made promises he never kept, who had later become the source of all his rage and resentment.

His chest heaved as conflicting emotions overwhelmed him-hatred, guilt, sorrow, and an inexplicable sense of loss. For years, Ishaan had dreamed of being the one to bring his father down, to make him pay for everything he had done. But now? Now there was nothing left to avenge, no battles to fight, no justice to seek.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as tears streamed down his face. The man he had despised was gone, leaving behind a broken family and a storm of unanswered questions. Savitri's sobs echoed in the room, snapping Ishaan out of his thoughts. He placed a trembling hand on her shoulder, unsure of how to comfort her-or himself.

For the first time in his life, Ishaan felt truly powerless.

After two weeks -

Ishaan couldn't leave his mother alone in such a vulnerable state. For the past two weeks, he had devoted all his time to her, postponing all his work, meetings, and personal matters. He spent his days mostly in his room, lost in his thoughts, or in his art studio, staring at Naina's portraits. The absence of her presence haunted him, but he convinced himself it was better this way-for now. He didn't want to bring more chaos into his mother's already shattered life.

After his father's funeral, which Shalini and Karan Malhotra had attended, Ishaan noticed Naina's absence. He didn't comment on it. Deep down, he believed she was still scared of him and had chosen to stay away. While it annoyed him, he let it slide for the time being. His focus was on his grieving mother, who was battling an ocean of pain and loss.

One evening, Ishaan sat silently in his room, his mind clouded with memories of his father and thoughts of Naina. The quietness of the house was oppressive, and for the first time in his life, he felt truly alone despite his mother's presence. His phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was Shalini.

He answered the call with a heavy voice, "Hello?"

Her tone was soft but laced with unease, "Hello, how are you? How's Savitri?"

"I'm okay, and Maa is coping... as much as she can," Ishaan replied, his voice flat.

There was a pause on the other end, making Ishaan's heart race. Something was wrong.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, his tone sharp with suspicion.

Shalini sighed, her hesitation noticeable. "Actually I need to tell you something about Naina."

Ishaan's chest tightened at the mention of her name. He straightened in his chair, his grip on the phone tightening. "What about Naina?"

Shalini's voice dropped, as if trying to tread carefully. "Naina... she left for Kashmir."

The words hit Ishaan like a punch, but before he could respond, Shalini continued. "But" Her voice cracked, a hint of fear seeping through. "She's not there anymore. She ran away."

Ishaan froze. "What? What do you mean she ran away?" His voice was low but dangerous, a storm brewing beneath his calm demeanor.

Shalini took a deep breath. "We had arranged for bodyguards to keep her safe, but... she left them behind. She left a note at the hotel, asking us not to contact her. She even threw away her SIM card. Ishaan... she's gone."

Gone.

The word echoed in Ishaan's mind like a deafening roar. His heart pounded, anger surging through his veins like fire. How could she? How could she run away like this? After everything he had done to keep her beside him, after all the chaos he had endured-she ran away?

He shot up from his chair, his free hand clenched into a tight fist. "What the hell are you saying?" His voice rose, barely holding back the fury threatening to explode. His mind was racing, his thoughts spiraling. He couldn't fathom why Naina would do something so reckless, so stupid. And the fact that she had left without a word, without even considering the consequences, filled him with a mix of rage and betrayal.

He said, his voice sharp with determination. "I don't care where she's hiding-I'll drag her back if I have to."

Shalini tried to reason with him, her voice pleading, "you know what, you are the actual reason that she ran away, She must be scared of you."

"Scared?" Ishaan interrupted, his tone venomous. "She should be scared of what I'll do when I find her. No one runs away from me, No one."

He ended the call abruptly, his jaw clenched and his mind set. Naina had underestimated him if she thought she could escape. He wouldn't stop until he found her-no matter what it took.

"Naina, what you've done is absolutely unforgivable..."

Meanwhile, Naina's life had taken a completely different turn. After spending a few days with Shanaya and her family, she realized she couldn't rely on them forever. She didn't want to be a burden. That's when Shanaya's father, Mr. Khurana, offered her an opportunity to help out with his small tourism business in Pahalgam.

At first, Naina hesitated. She wasn't sure if she could handle the responsibilities, but eventually, she agreed. Slowly, she began assisting with administrative tasks-managing bookings, communicating with tourists, and overseeing day-to-day operations. The work kept her occupied, giving her less time to dwell on her pain and more time to rediscover her independence.

With her first paycheck, she decided to rent a small room for herself. It wasn't luxurious by any means-a modest space with a bed, a desk, and a small window that overlooked the snow-dusted hills. But it was hers, and that made all the difference.

Every morning, she would go through the chilly streets of Pahalgam to reach the Khurana office, her scarf wrapped tightly around her face. The cold air would sting her cheeks, but the serenity of the mountains brought her a strange sense of peace. She found herself smiling at little things-like the playful kids building snowmen, the street vendors selling hot kehwa, or the sight of the early morning sun lighting up the hills.

Though she was trying to move on, there were nights when memories of Ishaan , shalini and Karan would made her cry. The emptiness in her heart felt unbearable at times, but she forced herself to stay strong. This was her fresh start-a life away from the shadows of her old one.

Unbeknownst to her, trouble was brewing in Ishaan's world, and her attempt to escape his grasp wouldn't last forever.

Three weeks later, one cold evening, Naina was on her way back home from work. She sat quietly in the car, the serene streets of Pahalgam passing by. Her phone buzzed suddenly, breaking the silence. She answered the call, not expecting the shocking news on the other end.

"Ma'am, the room you were staying in... it caught fire."

Naina froze, disbelief washing over her. "What?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

The man on the other end quickly explained, "There was an accident involving a stove in one of the neighboring rooms, and the fire spread. We managed to control it, but your room has been severely damaged."

Naina felt like the ground had been pulled from beneath her. "How... how did this happen?" Her voice cracked.

"Don't worry, ma'am. We were able to retrieve all your belongings safely before the fire reached your part of the room. And Mr. Khurana has already made arrangements for you to move into another place. He intended to inform you earlier, but he's out of town and couldn't reach you."

She tried to process everything, her mind racing. "Where am I supposed to stay now?"

The man replied calmly, "It's a house owned by one of Mr. Khurana's friends. The friend is currently living abroad, so he offered the place for you to stay as long as you need."

Naina sat back in her seat, overwhelmed. She had just started to feel a sense of stability in her life, and now this sudden upheaval left her shaken. The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror, sensing her distress, but she gestured for him to keep driving.

"Can you send me the address?" she asked, her voice still trembling.

"Of course, ma'am. I'll text it to you right away. Please don't worry; everything has been taken care of."

Naina ended the call, staring blankly out the window. The night outside seemed darker than usual, and the cold seeped into her bones. She tried to reassure herself that this was just another obstacle she had to face. After all, she had overcome so much already.

As the car approached her burnt-down residence, she hesitated to even look at it. Instead, she instructed the driver to take her straight to the new house. Little did she know, this new chapter would bring a wave of events she was completely unprepared for.

The new house was nestled deep in the wilderness, surrounded by dense trees and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. It was a striking modern structure, with large glass panels and sleek wooden accents. The tall glass staircase gleamed under the dim lights. When Naina arrived, her bags were already neatly placed in the living room by the driver.

Her heart was heavy with exhaustion and grief. Without sparing much thought to her surroundings, she slowly climbed the glass staircase and entered the room prepared for her. The room was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the dark jungle. She placed her bag down and collapsed onto the soft bed, burying her face in her hands.

Desperate for comfort, she called Shanaya, her voice trembling. As soon as Shanaya picked up, Naina broke down completely, sobbing uncontrollably. Through her tears, she recounted everything-the fire, the sudden move, the overwhelming loneliness. Shanaya, already aware of how Naina had been bottling up her emotions, tried to calm her.

"I'll come to see you tomorrow, Naina," Shanaya said gently, though worry laced her voice. "Don't panic. You're not alone. Just hold on till tomorrow."

Naina nodded, unable to speak, and hung up. But her sobs continued, echoing eerily through the empty house. She hugged herself tightly, trying to pull herself together, when she suddenly heard a faint noise coming from the living room downstairs.

Her body stiffened. Someone was here.

She stood frozen for a moment, her heart hammering against her ribs. Mustering courage, she slowly descended the staircase, her bare feet making no noise against the cold glass. Reaching the living area, she glanced around nervously, her eyes scanning every corner.

No one.

Her gaze landed on the center table, where something caught her attention-a single red rose. It hadn't been there earlier. Her breath hitched.

She cautiously approached the table, her trembling fingers picking up the flower. The familiar scent of the rose sent shivers down her spine. It was the same intoxicating fragrance she remembered from a rose Ishaan had once given her. Her chest tightened.

Before she could make sense of it, she heard the faint sound of footsteps coming from the balcony. Her head snapped in that direction, and her breath caught in her throat.

Standing there, with his broad frame silhouetted against the moonlight filtering through the glass, was a tall man. He wore a sleek black tuxedo, the top button of his shirt undone. A gleaming watch adorned his wrist, and his disheveled hair fell over his forehead in a way that looked effortlessly perfect.

Naina's blood ran cold.

The man took slow, deliberate steps toward her, his piercing gaze locked onto hers. Naina staggered backward, her hands clutching the rose tightly as if it could protect her. Her heart screamed at her to run, but her legs felt like they were cemented to the floor.

As he moved closer, the moonlight revealed his face. It was Ishan.

Her breath hitched, and panic surged through her veins. Naina took another step back, her heel hitting the edge of a small table. She stumbled, and the vase on the table toppled, shattering into pieces on the marble floor. The sound echoed loudly, breaking the silence of the room.

She cast a frantic glance behind her and then back at Ishaan, whose face remained unreadable. Without thinking, she turned and bolted toward the front door, desperate to escape. But just as she try to step back, she froze.

Another man stood there, blocking her path.

Unlike Ishaan, this man was unfamiliar. He was dressed in a similar sharp suit, his features cold and dangerous. Naina become extremely scared , It was Faris.

Trapped between the two, realization dawned on her-there was no way out. Her breathing grew ragged as fear gripped her entirely. She turned back toward Ishaan, who was now only a few steps away, his expression dark and intense.

And in that moment, she knew. Ishaan had found her. And there was no escape.

Naina stood frozen in place, unable to move, her body trembling as the weight of fear pressed down on her. Her lips quivered, and with a shaky breath, she whispered, "Ishaan... please..." Her voice echoed softly through the empty house, her ragged breathing the only other sound cutting through the heavy silence.

Ishaan was now right in front of her, his intense gaze locked onto hers. Naina could see the unrestrained anger swirling in his eyes, but there was something else too-something darker, more terrifying. He cast a brief glance toward Faris, who nodded silently and left the room, closing the door behind him.

The moment they were alone, Ishaan turned his full attention back to Naina, stepping even closer. She instinctively stepped back but found herself pressed against the wall, trapped. His tall frame loomed over her, and the space between them felt suffocating.

He reached out, his fingers brushing against her hand. The touch was soft, almost gentle, but the storm brewing in his eyes contradicted it. Slowly, his hand trailed upward, brushing past her arm and gripping her shoulder tightly. She flinched under his hold, her breath hitching.

Leaning in close, Ishaan's voice was low and dangerous as he murmured, "Didn't I tell you? If you tried to run, I would find you... no matter where you went."

Tears welled up in Naina's eyes, her chest heaving as she struggled to find her voice. "Ishaan... I..." she stammered, but her words faltered, her voice breaking. The fear in her eyes was unmistakable, and she could feel the heat of his breath as he leaned closer.

Suddenly, a terrifying thought struck her, and her lips parted in horror. Her voice barely audible, she asked, "Did you...?"

Ishaan's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't respond. Naina's mind raced, the weight of his earlier threats crashing down on her. Had he harmed Shalini? Karan? Even her cat? The idea sent her spiraling into panic, her tears now streaming down her face.

Before she could say anything else, Ishaan moved his hand to the back of her neck, his grip firm but not painful. He tilted her head slightly, his fingers pressing against her skin as if to remind her of his control. His other hand reached up to brush her hair back, exposing her tear-streaked face.

Leaning even closer, his forehead pressed tightly against hers. His voice was hoarse, heavy with emotion and anger, as he whispered, "Do you have any idea how mad I'm for you?"

His words were laced with an intensity that made her shudder. The air around them felt heavy, almost suffocating, as his voice grew thicker with emotion. "I've gone to hell and back for you. And you thought you could run from me?"

Naina's breathing quickened, her tears falling freely now. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear, confusion, and heartbreak. She couldn't understand the depth of his obsession, nor the pain that drove him to this point. But one thing was clear-there was no escaping Ishaan. Not now. Not ever.

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