Aadhya's POV
Something was… off.
Even after class ended—
The vibe didn't change.
Not even a little.
Teacher left.
Chairs moved.
Bags picked.
And everyone just…
Walked out.
Together.
Without me.
"…okay?"
I picked up my bag and followed them.
But—
They moved ahead.
Faster.
Avoiding me.
Actually avoiding me.
"Excuse me??"
I frowned.
"Do I smell bad?"
I sniffed myself.
Left side.
Right side.
"…nope."
"Main toh fresh hoon."
Then WHY are they acting like I'm radioactive??
"Hey, Mahi!" I called.
He didn't stop.
Didn't even look back.
"Wow."
"Attitude aa gaya hai."
I ran a little and caught up to him—
Grabbed his shoulder.
He instantly shrugged it off.
Like I burned him.
That stung.
A little.
"…I was wondering if you wanted chocolate," I said awkwardly.
"I had extra for Avi but—"
"I don't want any."
He cut me off.
Flat.
Cold.
And walked away.
Just like that.
I stood there.
"…okay."
"Wow."
"Nice."
I swallowed slightly.
"Hey… are you okay?" I tried again.
"Yeah."
One word.
And gone.
I looked around.
Same thing.
Everyone.
Avoiding me.
Ignoring me.
Like I suddenly became invisible.
Or worse—
Untouchable.
"I know about Rey… Vivaan… Nikansh…"
"But why Mahi?"
"Why everyone?"
My chest felt a little heavy.
Not hurt.
Just… confused.
I turned slightly—
And saw him.
At the classroom door.
Vivaan.
Standing there.
Still.
Glaring.
Not normal glare.
This one—
Sharp.
Burning.
Dangerous.
Like he was holding something back.
Barely.
For a second—
I actually felt scared.
Then I straightened.
"…not my problem."
I broke eye contact.
Turned.
And walked away.
"Whatever."
"I'll call Avi later."
Vivaan's POV
"What now?" Nikansh asked.
"What what now?" I replied, irritation clear in my voice.
My jaw was tight.
Too tight.
"She's his cousin."
The words echoed in my head again.
Again.
Again.
"That Aadhya…" Nikansh muttered, clenching his fists,
"…she's that bastard's cousin."
"I know."
My tone was calm.
But inside?
Rage.
Burning.
Slow.
Poisonous.
Because I saw it.
In the cafeteria.
The way he looked at Yuvika.
That same look.
Same claim.
Same possession.
"…he still has feelings for her."
And that—
That pissed me off more than anything.
"Are we just going to let her stay here?" Nikansh continued.
"What if he sent her to spy on us?"
I didn't answer immediately.
But the thought…
It made sense.
Too much sense.
Before I could speak—
"Maddy."
He walked in.
Phone in hand.
"Here's the info."
Of course.
Our tech genius.
Give him minutes—
He'll give you someone's entire life.
I took the phone.
Scrolled.
School records.
My brows furrowed.
"…what the hell."
48 offences.
I read them one by one.
Punching.
Fighting.
Skipping.
Gambling.
"Cute."
Uhuhu I coughed
Then the last one.
I paused.
Read again.
Slowly.
"Punching a student… almost causing death."
Silence.
Even Nikansh leaned closer.
"She really did that?"
His voice had disbelief.
I stared at the screen.
Then at the memory of her.
Small.
Dramatic.
Annoying.
"…this tiny thing?"
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"Vivaan," Lio called.
I looked up.
"What did you find?"
He handed me a file.
"Family background."
I scanned it.
Mother—
Broken family—
Father missing—
Recently shifted—
"…adopted by her Masi."
So that's it.
Broken.
Alone.
Easy to manipulate.
"Maybe Reyansh sent her," Nikansh said again.
"Maybe."
Lio hesitated.
"There's something else."
He handed another paper.
I read it.
Once.
Twice.
And then—
I smiled.
Slow.
Dangerous.
This…
This changes things.
Reyansh Mahajan.
You're not as perfect as you pretend to be.
Not even close.
And now?
Now I have something.
Something to break you with.
My fingers tightened slightly.
My eyes darkened.
"I'll play this properly."
"No rush."
"Not this time."
Because this time—
It's not just about winning.
It's about ruining.
Completely.
And if Aadhya is his weakness…
Then maybe—
She's my weapon.
A smirk formed on my lips.
Cold.
Controlled.
Obsessive.
"Let's see…"
"How long she survives in hell."