The message Arman sent kept echoing in Ava's mind.
"The next time we meet… one of us will die."
The words felt heavy, almost suffocating.
Ava stood near the large glass window of Mihir's penthouse, staring at the snowy city below. The lights of the city looked peaceful, but inside her chest, a storm was raging.
Behind her, Mihir was speaking to his security team again.
"I want every entrance monitored," he said firmly.
"No one enters this building without my permission."
When he finally ended the call, Ava turned toward him.
"So this is my life now?" she asked quietly.
"Looking over my shoulder every minute?"
Mihir walked closer to her.
His expression was serious, but there was something softer in his eyes now.
"I never wanted you to be involved in this," he said.
Ava let out a small, bitter laugh.
"But I am involved."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Because I'm your wife."
The word hung in the air between them.
Even though their marriage was just a contract, hearing it aloud made something shift between them.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Snowflakes drifted slowly outside the window, reflecting the city lights.
Finally, Mihir broke the silence.
"Arman is dangerous," he said.
"He's not just a businessman anymore. He has connections… people who will do anything for money."
Ava crossed her arms.
"Then maybe this contract marriage was a mistake."
Mihir's eyes darkened.
"Maybe," he said quietly.
"But it's too late now."
Later that evening, Mihir insisted Ava stay inside the penthouse.
"I have an important meeting tonight," he told her.
"You'll be safer here."
Ava didn't like the idea.
"I'm not a prisoner," she said.
"You're not," Mihir replied calmly.
"You're someone I need to protect."
Those words made Ava's heart skip.
Before she could respond, Mihir grabbed his coat.
"I'll be back soon."
And then he left.
Hours passed.
The penthouse felt too quiet.
Ava tried to distract herself by writing on her laptop, but the words wouldn't come.
Her mind kept drifting back to Mihir.
His voice.
His calm confidence.
The way he always stood between her and danger.
Suddenly—
Her phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
Her heart started pounding.
She opened it slowly.
"If you want Mihir to live… come downstairs alone."
Ava's breath caught.
Another message appeared.
"Don't tell security. I'm watching you."
Ava looked around nervously.
Was someone really watching?
Her mind raced.
What if this was Arman?
What if Mihir was already in danger?
Taking a deep breath, Ava grabbed her coat and quietly slipped out of the penthouse.
She didn't notice the security camera following her every step.
End of Chapter 9