Arman's message kept echoing in Ava's mind.
"The next target is you."
The words felt like a shadow following her everywhere.
The next morning, the penthouse was quieter than usual. Security guards were stationed outside every entrance.
Ava stood near the balcony, watching the snow fall slowly over the city.
Mihir walked in, already dressed for work.
"You shouldn't be standing so close to the balcony," he said calmly.
Ava turned toward him.
"So now I can't even look outside?"
"It's not about control," Mihir replied.
"It's about safety."
Ava sighed.
"This whole situation is insane, Mihir."
He walked closer.
"I know."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The silence between them was heavy but not uncomfortable.
Finally Ava asked quietly,
"Why is Arman doing all this? Revenge can't be the only reason."
Mihir looked away for a moment.
"Arman believes I destroyed his life," he said.
"And now he wants to destroy mine."
Ava crossed her arms.
"And apparently I'm part of your life now."
Mihir looked directly into her eyes.
"Yes. You are."
The honesty in his voice made Ava's heart beat faster.
The cold winter air drifted through the slightly open balcony door.
Suddenly Mihir stepped closer and gently closed the door.
"You're freezing," he said.
Ava laughed softly.
"You're terrible at romance, you know that?"
For the first time, Mihir smiled.
"A contract marriage doesn't usually require romance."
Ava tilted her head.
"Maybe ours does."
For a moment the tension between them shifted.
Mihir reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
The touch was soft, careful.
Ava's breath caught.
"Mihir…" she whispered.
Before the moment could go any further, a security guard suddenly entered the room.
"Sir," he said urgently.
"We found something."
Mihir's expression immediately turned serious.
"What is it?"
The guard handed him a small envelope.
"There was no sender name."
Mihir opened it slowly.
Inside was a single photograph.
Ava leaned closer.
Her stomach dropped.
The photo showed Ava walking out of the building the night before.
Someone had been watching her.
For a long time.
At the bottom of the photo, a message was written in black ink:
"Tick tock."
End of Chapter 13