The room was cold.
Dimly lit.
Silent—except for the faint sound of rain hitting the windows.
Kiara stood still in the center.
Her hands free.
But the situation?
Far from it.
Across from her—
Arjun.
Watching her like nothing had changed.
Like the last five years never happened.
"You look the same," he said softly.
Kiara's eyes didn't soften.
"Get to the point."
Arjun smiled faintly.
Still calm.
Still dangerous.
"I missed you."
Kiara let out a dry laugh.
"You kidnapped me."
"Had you brought here," he corrected.
"Because talking politely never worked with you."
Kiara stepped closer.
Fearless.
"Say what you want and end this."
Arjun's expression shifted slightly.
For a second—
The calm cracked.
"You chose him."
Not a question.
A statement.
Kiara didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Silence hit hard.
Arjun's jaw tightened.
"You were supposed to choose me."
Kiara's voice turned colder.
"I chose what was right."
Arjun laughed.
But there was no humor in it.
"Right?"
He walked closer.
"You destroyed me, Kiara."
His voice dropped.
"You took everything from me."
Kiara's eyes flickered.
Guilt.
Pain.
But still—
She stood her ground.
"I tried to save you," she said quietly.
"You just didn't see it."
"Don't," Arjun snapped.
"Don't twist it."
He moved closer—
Too close.
"You betrayed me."
Kiara looked straight at him.
"And you would've destroyed everything."
Silence.
Heavy.
Truth-filled.
Arjun's voice lowered.
"So now what?"
"You play perfect wife with Aarav?"
Kiara didn't answer.
But that silence—
Said enough.
Arjun's expression darkened.
"Do you love him?"
That question—
Hung between them.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Kiara's breath slowed.
But she didn't look away.
"Yes."
That was it.
Arjun stepped back slowly.
Like something inside him just broke.
"Love…" he whispered.
Then laughed quietly.
"Of course."
He turned away.
Running a hand through his hair.
Trying to regain control.
"You know what's funny?" he said.
"I didn't plan to hurt you."
Kiara frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Arjun turned back.
Eyes cold again.
"I only wanted him to suffer."
Kiara's heart dropped.
"What did you do?"
Arjun smiled.
Slow.
Dark.
"I leaked everything about you…"
He stepped closer.
"…so he would turn against you."
Kiara's fists clenched.
"But he didn't," she said.
That hit.
Hard.
Arjun's expression twisted.
"Not yet."
At the same time—
Across the city—
Aarav stood in a control room.
Screens everywhere.
Maps.
Locations.
Tracking signals.
"Say it again," he ordered.
"Signal traced to abandoned dock warehouse."
Aarav's eyes darkened.
"Send the team."
A pause.
Then he added—
"No."
Everyone looked at him.
"Sir?"
Aarav picked up his gun.
"I'm going alone."
Back with Kiara—
Arjun stepped closer again.
Lowering his voice.
"You still have a choice."
Kiara's expression didn't change.
"I already made it."
Arjun's hand grabbed her arm.
Not violent—
But firm.
"You don't understand."
Kiara pulled her arm back.
"Let go."
But before anything could escalate—
A loud noise echoed outside.
Gunshot.
Both of them froze.
Then—
Footsteps.
Fast.
Approaching.
Kiara's heart skipped.
Because she already knew.
The door burst open.
Aarav stood there.
Eyes dark.
Gun in hand.
Breathing steady.
But deadly.
His gaze locked on Kiara first.
Checking.
Alive.
Safe.
Then—
Slowly shifted to Arjun.
Silence.
Explosive.
Aarav spoke.
Low.
Cold.
"Step away from her."
Arjun smirked faintly.
"So you came."
Aarav didn't blink.
"I always do."
And in that moment—
Everything became clear.
This wasn't just about revenge anymore.
Not just about power.
This was about her.
And Aarav Malhotra—
Was not leaving without her.