The ride back from the warehouse was silent.
But this silence was different.
It wasn't filled with fear anymore.
It was filled with something deeper.
Something dangerous.
Ava kept glancing at Mihir.
His arm was bandaged, but he didn't seem to care.
"You should rest," Ava said softly.
Mihir shook his head.
"I've had worse."
Ava frowned.
"That doesn't make this okay."
For a moment, Mihir looked at her.
Really looked.
And something in his expression softened.
Back at the penthouse—
The moment they stepped inside, Ava couldn't hold back anymore.
She turned toward him.
"You could have died," she said, her voice shaking.
Mihir didn't respond.
So Ava stepped closer.
"Why would you do something so reckless?"
Mihir's voice was calm.
"It wasn't reckless."
"It was necessary."
Ava's eyes filled with tears.
"For who?"
Mihir paused.
Then—
"For you."
The words hit her harder than anything else.
Ava looked down, trying to steady her breathing.
"This isn't what we agreed on," she whispered.
"This was supposed to be just a contract."
Mihir stepped closer.
"But it's not anymore."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Ava looked up at him.
"Then what is this?"
Mihir didn't hesitate this time.
"It's real."
Her heart pounded.
Everything inside her wanted to believe him.
But something still held her back.
Fear.
Doubt.
"What if this is just… temporary?" Ava said softly.
"What if when this is all over… you walk away?"
Mihir's expression changed slightly.
"I don't walk away from things that matter."
Ava whispered,
"And do I matter?"
Mihir stepped closer.
Too close.
"You already know the answer."
Just then—
A phone rang.
The moment broke instantly.
Mihir picked it up.
His expression turned serious.
"Yes?"
He listened.
Then—
His face went completely still.
Ava's heart dropped.
"What happened?"
Mihir slowly lowered the phone.
His voice was cold again.
"Something's wrong."
Ava felt uneasy.
"What do you mean?"
Mihir looked at her.
"Someone from my company… leaked information."
Ava frowned.
"What kind of information?"
Mihir's eyes darkened.
"Information about you."
Ava froze.
"Me?"
Mihir nodded.
"They knew exactly where to find you."
Ava's mind started racing.
That meant only one thing—
Someone close to Mihir…
Was betraying him.
End of Chapter 19