The room felt colder after seeing the photograph.
Ava stared at it in disbelief.
"Someone took this picture of me?" she whispered.
Mihir's jaw tightened.
"Yes."
"When?"
"Last night."
Ava's heart began to race.
"That means Arman's people were here."
Mihir nodded.
"They're closer than I thought."
Ava suddenly felt uneasy.
"What if they're still watching?"
Mihir folded the photo carefully.
"Then we make them regret it."
He turned to his security team.
"Double the surveillance."
After the guards left, Ava sat down slowly.
"This is getting worse," she said.
Mihir walked toward her.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
Ava looked up.
"You keep saying that."
"And yet Arman keeps getting closer."
Mihir didn't respond immediately.
Instead he sat beside her.
For a moment, the powerful businessman looked almost… human.
Tired.
Frustrated.
"I underestimated him," Mihir admitted quietly.
Ava studied his face.
"You're not used to losing control, are you?"
Mihir gave a small, humorless smile.
"No."
"But you're worth the risk."
Ava blinked.
"What?"
Mihir looked at her seriously.
"This marriage may have started as a contract."
"But now… I don't want anything to happen to you."
Ava felt her cheeks warm slightly.
Before she could answer, Mihir's phone rang.
He picked it up.
His expression changed instantly.
"What happened?" Ava asked.
Mihir lowered the phone slowly.
"There was an explosion."
Ava's heart stopped.
"Where?"
Mihir looked at her with dark eyes.
"One of my offices."
Ava's breath caught.
"Was anyone hurt?"
Mihir nodded slightly.
"Yes."
"But that's not the worst part."
Ava's stomach tightened.
"What do you mean?"
Mihir showed her the message he had just received.
It was from Arman.
"Next time it won't be your office."
Snow continued falling outside the window.
And Ava realized something terrifying.
Arman wasn't just threatening them anymore.
He was starting a war.
End of Chapter 14 – Cliffhanger