The morning light filtered through the tinted glass windows of Ishaan's office, but the room itself felt heavy, drenched in his commanding presence. Behind the imposing mahogany desk, Ishaan sat in silence, his sharp eyes fixed on the door as if he already knew who was coming.

The door opened, and Sunny, his secretary, walked in with measured steps. He stopped directly in front of the desk, his posture stiff, almost nervous.
"Yes, sir," Sunny said carefully.

Without a word, Ishaan slid a thick file across the polished surface, the folder's edges scraping faintly against the wood. His gaze never left Sunny's face.
"Do you know what this is?" Ishaan asked, his voice dangerously calm.

Sunny picked it up, flipping it open with cautious hands. "The... the original project file, sir?" he guessed.

Ishaan leaned forward, his voice sharp as a blade. "Correct. Now, try contacting Mr. Singh again. Fix a meeting. Once he sees the real planning behind this project, I'm sure he'll come back to the table and close the deal with us."

Sunny swallowed hard, hesitating before he spoke. "Sir... I don't think that will be possible anymore."

Ishaan's brows snapped together, his tone immediately darkening. "And why is that?"

Sunny lowered his gaze, almost shrinking under the weight of Ishaan's stare. "Because... Mr. Singh has already signed the deal. With another company."

The words struck like gunfire. Ishaan shot to his feet, his chair scraping back against the marble floor. "What?" His voice thundered through the room. "He already signed the deal? With who?"

Sunny hesitated, then exhaled, defeated. "With KH Corporation, sir."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Ishaan froze, his mind spinning, his expression a mix of disbelief and sudden fury. He stepped out from behind the desk, staring at Sunny as if the name itself was poison.
"What did you just say?" His voice lowered to a growl. "KH Corporation?"

"Yes, sir," Sunny confirmed, more firmly this time.

Ishaan's eyes burned with incredulity. "You're telling me Singh Corporation signed with KH... Arav's company?" His voice cracked on Arav's name, his tone disbelieving. "And I didn't even know?"

"Yes, sir."

Ishaan shook his head, his lips curling in frustration. "Impossible. If that were true, Arav would have told me. He would've told me." His voice was harsh, but there was something underneath it—confusion, disbelief, the sting of betrayal.

Sunny shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe... maybe he forgot to mention it, sir. But I heard it this morning from his secretary—my friend. It's true. They've already signed the contract."

The words sank like stones in Ishaan's chest. For a brief moment, his mind went blank. Then, in a clipped voice, he said, "Fine. You can go. But before you do—connect with other companies. Submit every detail of this project to me by tonight."

"Yes, sir." Sunny bowed slightly and left, leaving the heavy silence behind.

Ishaan slowly sank back into his chair, his body taut with restrained energy. He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, then forward again, eyes narrowing as thoughts churned.

His lips moved in a bitter whisper meant only for himself.
"Why didn't Arav tell me? Why...?"

The words lingered in the still air, heavy with suspicion, a storm of doubt already starting to form in his mind.

Aanya sat curled on the edge of her bed, her trembling hands gripping the blanket as if it could anchor her against the storm inside. Her mind refused to quiet—the words she had overheard earlier between her father and Ishaan replayed like a curse, each one cutting deeper than the last.

Flashback

It had been the first time she stepped out of her room since yesterday's accident. Her body still ached, but she craved air—something, anything, to breathe freely again. She wandered toward the garden when her eyes caught Ishaan standing a few feet away, his back partially turned, speaking to someone. From where she stood, hidden behind a marble pillar, she couldn't see the other man's face nor hear the words clearly.

Curiosity pulled her closer. And then—her entire world collapsed.

Her father.

The man Ishaan was speaking to was none other than him. The shock left her rooted to the ground, her lips trembling as a broken whisper escaped, "Dad..." Her heart pounded as if it had forgotten its rhythm. Tears blurred her vision, but she dared not move.

And then she heard it.

"In my house, under my roof... she is my pawn. She moves when I say, she stops when I say. I control this game, not you."

The words slashed into her like blades. Aanya's knees weakened, her tears spilling freely. She wanted to scream, to run, but all she could do was press her hand against her mouth to silence the sob threatening to escape.

One by one, Ishaan's venomous sentences stitched themselves into her heart. She stayed long enough to hear everything—every brutal truth exchanged between her father and Ishaan.

Present

Now, in her room, Aanya's sobs refused to stop. Her voice cracked as she whispered to herself, "So... Dad was forced for this marriage... Ishaan kidnapped Bhai... that's why he wasn't at my wedding. And Mom lied—said he was at a business meeting. They all lied to me. Everyone."

Her chest heaved painfully as Ishaan's mocking words echoed in her ears again:

"Oh, after almost one month, you suddenly remember you have a daughter?"

Her tears doubled. "Yes, Dad... you only cared about your reputation and about saving your son. But where was I? Where was your daughter? He was right... it's been almost one month, and no one came to me, no one tried to meet me. You were too busy protecting Bhai, weren't you?"

The cruelest wound came when Ishaan's voice replayed again:

"Chasing after your precious son? Your murderer son?"

Her blood ran cold. Murderer? Her breath caught in her throat. "Why is he blaming Aransh Bhai for Nisha Di's death? Aunt Nita told me she died because of her boyfriend—that she... that she ended her own life. Then... does that mean Bhai was the boy?"

Confusion and dread tangled inside her chest. She clutched her head as questions collided violently in her mind. "No... no, there's more. Something doesn't add up. Dad's words... the desperation in his voice when he begged Ishaan, when he promised to help him find the real culprit. That wasn't acting. Someone else is playing this game. Someone is twisting everything."

Her thoughts darted back to the file—the mysterious file that had appeared in her room, the one that had almost destroyed her. "That wasn't an accident either. It's all part of someone's planning. Someone is pulling the strings... and Ishaan... even he is being manipulated."

Her heart raced, her feet restless as she paced the room. Panic and determination burned together inside her. "I need to know the truth. I have to. If Bhai really had some connection to Nisha Di, I need to find it. Oh God, please... guide me. Help me."

She clasped her hands together, her voice breaking into a prayer. "Please don't let me drown in this darkness. I don't even know who I can trust, but I can't stay still. I won't stay still." I need phone.

And then—like a spark in the shadows—a thought struck her. Her eyes widened, and for the first time in hours, her tears stilled. "Wait... yes. There is someone. Someone who can help me. The only one I can turn to now..."

Her chest rose and fell, her lips trembling with both fear and hope. "Yes... him."

Ishaan sat across from Arav in his office, the air between them thick with silence. The ticking of the sleek wall clock seemed louder than usual, filling the gap neither of them chose to break. Ishaan's jaw was clenched, his gaze fixed on the floor for a moment before lifting toward Arav with unreadable intensity.

Finally, Arav leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"So, Ishaan," he began casually, his tone deliberately light, "to what do I owe this honor? You rarely step foot into my office."

Ishaan's reply was flat, his face unreadable.
"Why? Can't I come here if I want to?"

"Woah, cool down, bro," Arav chuckled, raising his hands in mock defense. "It's not like that. It's just... you hardly ever visit. Usually, I'm the one chasing you down. But hey—" he smirked, gesturing around, "—I'm glad you remembered the address of my humble company. Feels good."

Ishaan leaned forward, his voice low, his eyes burning with restraint.
"Arav, don't you think there's something you should tell me?"

Arav tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Tell you? Hmm, let me think..." He tapped his chin dramatically. "Nope, nothing comes to mind. Did I forget something important?"

Before Ishaan could finish, his voice already rising—"You signed—"

Arav suddenly snapped his fingers, cutting him off.
"Wait, wait—I remember! Damn, how could I almost forget?" He leaned forward, grinning as if he'd recalled a casual errand. "Mr. Singh signed the deal with us. With my company."

Ishaan's expression hardened, his voice clipped.
"Is that so?"

"Yes." Arav's tone shifted, more serious now. "When things didn't work out with your company, his secretary reached out to mine the very same day. She set up the meeting without even asking me. Later, she explained she'd already shared our project details for investment, and Singh's people jumped on it. They agreed instantly."

Ishaan nodded slowly, forcing a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Oh. Well... I suppose that's good news then. At least one of us got the deal. Congratulations."

"Thanks, brother," Arav said, leaning back with satisfaction. Then, casually, he asked, "By the way, did you figure out how that file ended up in Aanya's room?"

At the mention of her name, Ishaan's face darkened.
"How else could it get there? She must have taken it herself."

"You saw her take it?" Arav pressed. "Did you check the CCTV footage?"

"I did," Ishaan replied coldly. "And it showed nothing. As if... nothing ever happened. That's what bothers me. If she really took it, then why doesn't the footage show her? It's... strange."

Arav leaned forward, his voice gentler.
"Exactly. Which means we don't know the whole truth yet. Don't jump to conclusions, Ishaan. And... don't be too harsh on her. It's not her fault that she's Aransh's sister."

Ishaan's eyes flickered, his voice sharp as a blade.
"It is her fault. Everything about her reminds me of him." He pushed back his chair, standing abruptly. "I'm leaving."

Arav raised his brows, chuckling softly.
"Relax, man. Forget the file, forget the deal. How about we go out tonight, yeah? Blow off some steam."

Ishaan hesitated, his fists tightening at his sides, before finally exhaling.
"Fine. Our usual place. I need this."

"That's more like it," Arav grinned, getting up as well. "Tonight, we drink to new deals... and old scars."

Aanya wasn't allowed on the second floor, yet her feet carried her to the staircase. She stood at the base, fingers gripping the railing, her heart caught between fear and curiosity. For a long moment she hesitated, debating with herself—Should I go up... or not?

Just then, she noticed Maria, one of the maids, walking past.
"Maria..." Aanya called softly. "Is Jiya or Jay at home?"

Maria stopped and nodded politely.
"Madam Jiya has gone to the hospital. But yes, Master Jay is upstairs in his room."

Aanya hesitated again, her voice dropping as she asked, "And... Ishaan sir?"

The maid shook her head.
"No, Ishaan sir hasn't returned yet."

"Okay... thank you," Aanya murmured.

Maria left, disappearing into the hallway. Aanya drew in a long, steadying breath and whispered to herself, almost as if giving courage to her trembling heart:
It's okay, Aanya. You can do this.

Her footsteps were slow, hesitant, as she began to climb the staircase. Every creak of the wood beneath her shoes echoed louder in her chest. When she finally reached the second floor, she stopped outside a door, nerves twisting inside her.

Gathering courage, she raised her hand and knocked gently.

A moment later, a voice called from inside, "Come in."

With cautious hands, she pushed open the door. The sight inside made her pause—Jay sat at his gaming table, headphones pushed back around his neck, eyes fixed on the screen until he noticed her.

The instant he recognized her, he stood up quickly, a bright smile lighting his face.
"Oh! Hi, Aanya di! Please, come in!"

Still hesitant, Aanya stepped inside, the unease in her chest refusing to quiet.

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Thank you for reading.<3