The morning was wrapped in the melody of rain. The downpour outside created a rhythmic sound, filling the air with a sense of calm. The glass sliding door leading to the balcony was fogged up, the moisture clinging to it, forming a hazy layer. Tiny raindrops slid down the misty surface, leaving behind delicate trails before disappearing.

Naina in silence, watching the rain. She had been awake for a while now, yet she hadn't moved. The only sound breaking the stillness of the room was the steady patter of rain against the glass. It was soothing-almost hypnotic. She had always loved the rain, always found comfort in its embrace. But time had changed things. Even her love for this weather felt different now, tainted by everything that had happened.

Ishaan's arm was still wrapped around her waist, firm and unyielding. His hold on her hadn't loosened even in sleep. His right arm rested over her stomach, while his left lay beneath her head, extending to her chest, caging her close. His face was buried in the crook of her neck, his breath warm against her skin. She could feel his slow, steady breathing, the rise and fall of his chest against her back.

Naina hadn't dared to move, partly because she didn't want to wake him, and partly because-somewhere deep down-she wasn't sure if she even wanted to.

The moment felt surreal, almost fragile, like one wrong move would shatter it completely. She kept her gaze fixed on the glass door, trying to lose herself in the rain, trying to forget the weight of Ishaan's arm, the warmth of his body against hers. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't ignore it.

A sleepy, husky voice broke the silence.

"Good morning," Ishaan murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep as he nuzzled against her neck.

Naina stiffened for a brief moment, her eyes flickering away from the glass as she registered his words. He hadn't even opened his eyes, yet his grip around her tightened, pulling her impossibly closer. It was as if he feared she would slip away if he let go.

Her heart pounded as flashes of the previous night rushed through her mind-his touch, his kisses, the way he had held her, how his lips had claimed every part of her, making her feel things she had never felt before.

Why hadn't she stopped him?

Why hadn't she resisted?

More importantly... why hadn't it felt wrong?

The questions circled in her mind, but she had no answers.

The air was thick with silence, except for the soft rustling of sheets and the rhythmic patter of rain against the glass. Ishaan's fingers traced slow, deliberate patterns over Naina's waist, his touch featherlight yet possessive. His body was still pressed against hers, his warmth seeping into her skin.

Then, in a voice low and laced with something unreadable, he finally spoke.

"Last night..." His words trailed off, lingering in the air between them.

Naina remained still, her breath hitching slightly. She didn't know what to say, didn't know what he was about to ask-but a part of her already feared the answer.

After a brief pause, his voice came again, this time softer, yet carrying an unmistakable weight.

"Did you like it?"

Naina's fingers curled slightly against the bedsheet. She felt her pulse quicken, but she said nothing. She had expected him to act as if nothing had happened-not because he would forget, but because she had thought he wouldn't feel the need to ask. Yet here he was, waiting for an answer that she wasn't sure she could give.

How could she? And she didn't want to acknowledge it.

Her silence was enough of an answer for him. He knew she wouldn't admit it, not now. And he understood why. After all, she had witnessed something that had shaken her to her core. The man he had killed last night ... Naina had seen it happen right before her eyes.

Nikolai Volkov- His greatest enemy. Their rivalry ran deep, an unspoken war between two forces that refused to bow..Ever since the attack on his agents in Crimea, Ishaan had been waiting for the right moment to strike back. He had planned to leave in two days, but now, with Naina in the picture, he wasn't sure if he could afford to. She had already seen too much.

And then, just when things couldn't get more complicated, Faris had informed him that one of Volkov's men had infiltrated Ishaan's island, attempting to install a surveillance system right under his nose. That was the last straw. Ishaan had ordered Faris to bring him in his house.

But then, that happened.

Naina had unknowingly witnessed a side of him she was never meant to see. She had seen death-his kind of death. And now, the fear in her eyes was unmistakable.

She had always feared him, but this... this was different.

This fear ran deeper.

She would try to escape now, he knew it. She would run, fight, do whatever it took to get away from him.

And yet their was one thing-last night, in his arms, she hadn't resisted.

She had let him touch her.

She had melted beneath his hands, surrendered to his lips, responded to his touch in a way that made Ishaan certain of one thing-no matter how much she feared him, there was something else buried beneath that fear. Something neither of them were ready to face.

And Ishaan...Ishaan had never felt more satisfied.

His hand, still resting over Naina's chest, could feel the frantic rhythm of her heartbeat-fast, uneven, betraying every thought she refused to voice he smirked. He let it linger there for a moment longer, enjoying the effect he had on her, before shifting slightly.

Lifting his head from where it rested near her neck, he pulled his right hand away from her waist and leaned back against his pillow. But he didn't let her go. Instead, with the left hand that had held her chest, he turned her body swiftly-pulling her fully toward him in one fluid motion.

The sudden movement made Naina's hand land flat against his bare chest.

Her breath hitched.

Pulling her closer, so close that there was barely any space left between them. The warmth of his skin, the solidness of his body-everything about him overwhelmed her senses..It was only then that she noticed-he wasn't wearing the bloodstained shirt anymore. The room was silent except for the sound of rain against the glass. And for the first time, Naina allowed herself to look at him-really look at him.

Her eyes trailed over his skin, tracing the deep scars littered across his chest. She had never noticed them before, or maybe she had never wanted to. But now, in the dim light of the morning, she saw them clearly. The dark tattoos covering his body only made them stand out more, adding to the dangerous allure he carried so effortlessly.

Slowly, without even realizing it, she reached out. Her fingers hovered over the largest scar, hesitant, before finally resting against it. Her touch was light, almost uncertain, but she let her fingers move-trailing gently over the roughened skin.

Ishaan stiffened-This was new.

She had never touched him before-not like this.

He swallowed hard, feeling something strange stir within him as her soft fingers moved over his old wounds. He knew what she wanted. She was trying to understand.

So, in a voice still heavy with sleep, he spoke.

"Italy." His words were slow, quiet. "I was there for work. Got ambushed. But I had a gun... so I made sure no one walked away."

Naina's fingers continued their slow exploration.

Her hand moved to another scar. A long, deep one stretching across his ribs.

Ishaan let out a breath.

"My island," he murmured. "One of my rivals sent a man after me. He tried to put a knife in my ribs. I put one in his instead."

Her hand stilled for a second before moving again.

She didn't speak. She didn't need to.

One by one, her fingers brushed over each scar, and with each touch, Ishaan told her their story. Ishaan never opened up to anyone. Not to his men. Not to his enemies. Not even to himself sometimes.

But Naina...Naina was different.

She didn't ask him for his truths, yet he found himself giving them to her. She didn't demand explanations, yet he offered them freely. It was unsettling, this pull she had over him-this quiet power that made him want to let her in.

Maybe it was because she didn't look at him like the rest of the world did.

She wasn't fascinated by his power, like everyone else.

She is just...his obsession. And somehow, that was more dangerous than any rival he had ever faced.

Naina slowly reached for another scar, her fingers barely grazing his skin when Ishaan caught her hand. His breathing grew heavier, the warmth of her hand under his making his pulse quicken.

He wanted more, More of her touch, More of her presence, More of her, And the best part?

He knew now, without a doubt-he had fallen in love with this woman. Helplessly. Desperately. Dangerously.

"Naina..." Ishaan's voice was softer this time, almost like a whisper meant only for her.

Her heartbeat quickened. She didn't know why, but something about the way he said her name-so gently, yet so intensely-sent a shiver down her spine. Ishaan's grip on her hand loosened, but he didn't let go. His fingers, rough and calloused, lingered over her skin, as if memorizing the feel of her touch. His dark eyes, usually cold and unreadable, held something different now-something deeper.

Naina swallowed hard. She wanted to move, to say something, anything-but she couldn't. She was frozen in place, trapped between the ghost of last night and the storm brewing in his gaze. Ishaan raised his hand to her face, brushing a strand of hair away. His fingertips barely touched her skin, but it was enough to make her breath hitch.

She should have pulled away.

She didn't.

Naina's gaze was still fixed on his scars, lost in thought. But the moment Ishaan's fingers brushed against her skin, she instinctively looked up-straight into his eyes.

The very eyes she had been trying to avoid.

She didn't want to face the reality of last night. She didn't want to acknowledge that she hadn't resisted him. That she had let him touch her, kiss her, claim her in ways she never thought she would allow.

But here she was. Trapped.

Not by his arms, but by his gaze.

Ishaan said nothing. Neither did she.

His intense eyes studied her, unblinking, sharp like a predator watching its prey. Naina's own gaze flickered, unable to hold his for too long. She turned her face away, her voice barely above a whisper.

"When will you take me home?"

It was the same question she had asked before. The same question she always asked.

Ishaan's fingers, which had been playing with the strands of her hair, suddenly moved. He gently but firmly turned her face back to him, forcing her to meet his eyes once again.

"Today," he said.

Naina's eyes narrowed slightly. Was he serious? Or was he just saying it to calm her down in the moment?

But Ishaan wasn't lying.

He had heard her ask this question countless times, and every time, it irritated him. Not because she wanted to leave, but because it reminded him that she still didn't belong to his world. That she still wanted to run from him.

Yet, she was his.

And he wasn't ready to let her go.

Ishaan pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her in a firm embrace. Her head now rested against his chest, right over his heart. His fingers moved slowly through her hair, a soft, calming gesture that was in complete contrast to the man she had seen last night-the man who had killed someone right before her eyes.

"Do you still want to be a lawyer?" Ishaan asked suddenly.

Naina didn't respond right away. She simply hummed softly in agreement.

A small smirk formed on Ishaan's lips.

"And what's the first thing you'll do when you become one?" he teased.

Without hesitation, Naina mumbled, "File a case against you."

Ishaan chuckled, the sound deep and amused, It was different. Naina rarely spoke to him, but when she did, it always caught him off guard. It always made him feel something he didn't fully understand.

"Really?" he asked, still smirking.

She took a deep breath, knowing he was only teasing her. Instead of answering properly, she hummed again, her voice soft, almost stubborn.

Ishaan's smirk grew. He found himself fascinated by her, by the way she spoke, by the little sounds she made instead of words.

"And what if you don't become a lawyer?" he asked, leaning in slightly.

Naina knew he was trying to mess with her, but she refused to give in. She whispered, "Why? Are you scared?"

Ishaan let out another quiet laugh. Then, tightening his hold on her, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered,

"Yes. Terrified."



The car stopped outside the house.

Not Ishaan's house.

Mine.

The place where I had been chosen, accepted, loved. The people-inside who had become my own. Who felt like home. But as much as I wanted to step inside, hesitation filled my heart. Fear crept in. How was I supposed to face them? Ishaan stepped out first, his movements slow, controlled. Then he walked around to my side, opening the door. He extended his hand toward me. I hesitated for a second before placing my hand in his.

We started walking together.

His bodyguards moved behind us in perfect coordination, their presence heavy, intimidating. And then there was him-the man from the backyard. The one I still didn't know by name. He stood to the side, silent, watchful.

As we reached the entrance, Ishaan gave a small signal, and his men stopped in their tracks. He didn't need words. His presence alone was enough to command obedience.

He was powerful.

His aura held something unexplainable-something that sent chills down a person's spine without him even trying.

His grip on my hand remained firm as we stepped inside.

I wanted to shake it off.

I wanted to run.

Run inside, throw myself into their arms, let them know I was back. But I knew it wouldn't work. As soon as we entered, my eyes landed on Shalini Aunty. She was watering the plants, completely unaware of our arrival. I felt my breath hitch as I instinctively took a step forward, moving ahead of Ishaan. I forgot everything else in that moment-I just wanted to reach her. Wanted to feel the warmth of her embrace. But just as I was about to rush to her, a force pulled me back. I turned, startled-only to find myself staring into those same terrifying, piercing eyes.

Ishaan.

His gaze locked onto mine, dark, warning. His grip on my hand tightened, his silent message clear.

No.

A chill ran down my spine. Then, Shalini Aunty turned toward us. Her eyes met mine. She froze. It was as if she had seen a ghost.

"Naina..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Her gaze shifted, landing on Ishaan. And then she moved. Rushing toward me, ignoring everything else, she called my name again. And in that moment-whether Ishaan allowed it or not-his grip loosened.

He let go.

I took that single chance and fell into her arms, holding her tightly. And the first word that left my lips was the same one I called her now.

"Maa..."

She held me just as tightly. For a moment, there was nothing else. No fear, no hesitation, just the comfort of her embrace. But then-Footsteps.

Fast, heavy footsteps descending from the stairs. Karan Uncle. His pace was quick, filled with urgency. But his eyes-his eyes burned with anger. Not at me, At him. I barely had time to react before he reached Ishaan. Without a word, without hesitation- He grabbed Ishaan by the collar. I gasped.

Shalini Aunty froze. The warmth of our embrace shattered in an instant as we turned toward them. And what we saw-

Two men. Standing face to face, Both terrifying in their own way, One filled with rage-other-dangerously calm.



Karan tightened his grip on Ishaan's collar, his knuckles turning white from the pressure.

Ishaan, unfazed, slowly lowered his gaze toward Karan's hand, still firmly clutching his shirt. With deliberate ease, he tilted his neck to the side and gripped Karan's wrist. Without using much force-but with a strength that couldn't be resisted-he pried Karan's hand away, pushing it down completely.

Karan, still burning with fury, didn't budge. His eyes held nothing but sheer anger.

Ishaan, as if nothing had happened, adjusted his collar and cleared his throat before speaking in a mocking tone. "This is how you treat your Son-in-law, huh?"

Karan's rage flared instantly.

"Son-in-law, my foot...!" he spat.

Ishaan smirked, shaking his head. "Aa, aa... choose your words carefully, Sasur ji."

He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper.

"cause, you see... if I want, I can dig your grave right here and now."

A shiver ran down Karan's spine. Ishaan's tone wasn't just a threat-it was a statement. A fact. But then, Ishaan leaned back slightly and continued, his smirk widening. "But then again... what can I do? My wife can't live without you anymore." He cocked his head slightly towards Naina and then again look at karan. "You understand, don't you?"

Karan's fists clenched tighter, his anger reaching its peak. His gaze flickered toward the window, where Ishaan's bodyguards stood in perfect formation. Each one of them was trained, ready, and willing to take lives if given the order. Karan knew the truth. Going against Ishaan was the same as inviting death. But despite the danger, the pain of seeing Naina suffer overshadowed everything. "How could you do this?" Karan gritted out. "How could you force an innocent girl into marriage? How disgusting can you be?"

Ishaan, completely unaffected, folded his arms over his chest. "Right....a valid point," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Karan's frustration grew. "You think you can just ruin someone's daughter's life and get away with it? You think you can-"

Before he could finish, Ishaan's expression darkened. His piercing gaze met Karan's, sending chills down his spine. "Ruin?" Ishaan repeated, his voice dangerously low. "Do you have any idea how many people I've actually ruined?"

Karan's breath hitched, he knew. He knew exactly what Ishaan was capable of. He had witnessed, firsthand, the destruction Ishaan had caused to those who dared to go against him or his family. And compared to that-Marrying Naina was nothing. This wasn't even close to Ishaan's definition of ruin.

Ishaan took a step closer.."Tell me,"he taunted, his smirk returning. "Do you really think this qualifies as destruction?"

Silence.

Karan had no answer, only fury boiling inside him.

Ishaan let out a short chuckle. he said, his tone suddenly serious. "I'm leaving her here for a week."

At those words, Naina's eyes snapped toward him in shock.

Ishaan continued speaking to Karan. "If anything happens to her..." His gaze turned ice-cold. "If she ends up like last time under your care..." His voice was calm, but the weight of his words sent a visible shudder through both Karan and Shalini. "Then that little 'grave-digging' comment I made earlier?" Ishaan tilted his head. "Consider it a promise."

Karan and Shalini stood frozen. they knew-They knew Ishaan never gave empty threats.

Then, without warning, Ishaan turned toward Naina. She stiffened. As he stepped closer, she instinctively took a step back-His hands landed on her shoulders, firm yet gentle. And before she could react-He leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead.

Naina felt her heart pound against her ribs.

Karan and Shalini stared in disbelief, while Naina stood frozen in anger, confusion and nervousness.

Pulling back slightly, Ishaan whispered, "Take care, Naina."

Then, straightening up, he adjusted his coat, gave one last look to Karan and Shalini-and walked out. Calm. Unbothered. And as dangerous as ever.

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