Ayaan ran into the room, unaware of everything.
"Mama! Look what I drew!"
He held up a small drawing.
Three stick figures.
One big. One medium. One small.
Aarav stared at it.
"What's this?" he asked softly.
Ayaan grinned.
"Our family."
The word hit both of them deeply.
Ananya looked away.
Aarav knelt down.
"And who's this?" he asked, pointing.
"That's you, Papa," Ayaan said proudly.
Aarav's chest tightened.
He looked at Ananya.
Then back at Ayaan.
"I promise…" he said quietly.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
Ayaan smiled.
"I know."
But Ananya wasn't convinced.
Because she knew—
Raghav wasn't someone who made empty threats.