"WHERE IS MY WIFE?!"

The question echoed through the house, hanging heavy and sharp in the air.

And for the first time, everyone saw it — not just his anger, not his guilt, not his stubbornness.
But his fear.
His helplessness.
His love turning into sheer terror at the thought of losing Aanya.

His breath hitched as he stood frozen in the middle of the hallway. And then suddenly, he was moving — running from room to room, opening doors with trembling hands, calling her name until his voice cracked.

By the time the family gathered around him, he was on the verge of collapsing.

Mrs. Mehra hurried toward him, cupping his face gently, her own voice shaking.
"Ishaan... beta, what happened? Why are you shouting like this?"

"Mo...mom—Aanya... Aanya—where is she?" His voice shattered in the middle of the sentence.
"I-I looked everywhere. She's not here. Mom... where is she?" His words came out in broken pieces—stuttering, frightened, helpless.

"Ohh come on, Ishaan... she must be around somewhere. Where will she go? ? Calm down." Mrs Mehra said, trying to reassure him.

But he shook his head violently.
"No... no mom—she's nowhere! I checked—every corner of this damn mansion. She's not here!"

He turned to Jay abruptly, eyes wild, as though clinging to the last thread of hope.
"Jay—did you see her? She's close to you... she's your friend. You must have seen her. Where is she? Jay, please—tell me."

Jay swallowed, guilt and fear twisting in his chest.
"N-no bhai... I didn't see her."

Ishaan's heart dropped further.
He turned to Sikha next. "sikhu mom—did you see her? Anything?"
She only shook her head.

His voice rose, edged with despair.
"Then where the hell did she go?!"

"Ishaan, calm down!" Mrs Mehra tried again. "Maybe she stepped out for some air. She'll be back."

"You don't understand, mom!" His voice cracked.
"She was angry at me. She never goes anywhere alone—NEVER. Since the day she came here, she hasn't stepped out even once. Why today? Why didn't she tell anyone? Mom... is she... is she leaving me?" His voice broke into a childlike cry as he shook his head helplessly.
"No... no... I can't lose her. I can't."

Mr. Dinesh stepped forward. "Beta, don't panic. We'll look around the mansion, the grounds—everywhere."

"Yes bhai," Karan added, "you're shaking like you'll collapse. "You need to calm down. You'll get a panic attack at this rate. We'll find her."

But Ishaan was barely listening — his mind stuck in a loop of terror.

In that moment of chaos, a guard quietly slipped out, dialing someone on the phone.
"Sir... aanya ma'am is missing" he whispered urgently into the receiver.

Inside, Ishaan's voice cracked.

"You all don't understand—"Before he could speak further, the main door opened.
Every head snapped toward it — hope flashing in their eyes.

But it wasn't Aanya.

It was Bella.

She paused, stunned by the chaos, then rushed to Ishaan's side.
"Ishaan, what happened?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked calmly, looking away. He didn't have space in his chest for anyone except Aanya right now.

"Aunty called me in the evening... I came to meet her. But—what is happening?"

Mrs Mehra's voice was tight with worry.
"Aanya is missing. We can't find her anywhere."

Bella froze, staring at the family she once belonged to. This house... these people... they had been her second family. And now seaing them in pain its  sent a sharp ache through her. She stepped forward and hugged Mrs. Mehra, who held her back tightly.

Before anyone could speak further, a guard rushed in.

"Sir... Aanya ma'am is not anywhere near the mansion. And the driver says she didn't take the car."

Everyone stilled.

If she didn't take the car... if no guard was with her...
Then where did she go?

"What do I do now?" Ishaan whispered, running a trembling hand through his hair. "Where is she?"

"Ishaan, don't worry," Bella said. "Maybe she went home."

Ishaan's eyes widened. "Her home... Yes! Maybe she—maybe she went to Verma Mansion!"

He pulled out his phone, hands shaking—but before he could dial, footsteps thundered outside.

All heads turned toward the entrance.

The Verma family stormed in—Aransh leading, rage burning in his eyes like wildfire. Behind him came Mr. and Mrs. Verma, and Ansh.

The guard who had slipped out earlier stood quietly behind them—he was the Verma family's informant.

Aransh didn't waste a single second.

He marched straight to Ishaan, grabbed his collar, and shoved him back.

"Where is my sister, Ishaan Mehra?" he roared. "If anything happens to her, I will fucking kill you!"

No one moved.
No one breathed.

Ishaan didn't fight back. He didn't even raise his hands.

He just... broke further.

"I—I didn't do anything," he whispered. "I didn't... I didn't..."

Aransh's voice thundered through the mansion.
"I stayed quiet all this time. I stayed away. Because somewhere inside, I believed—trusted—that you wouldn't hurt her. I let her stay here because i know some one is there trying to destory both of us, thats why i let her stay here becuse I believed you would protect her! But today... today you broke even that hope. What did you do to my sister?!"

Mrs. Mehra stepped forward quietly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and placed a trembling hand on Aransh's shoulder. The moment her touch landed on him, Aransh froze—his grip on Ishaan's collar loosening automatically. Confused, he turned toward her, expecting anger... expecting accusations. Instead, he found her looking at him with eyes filled with pain and regret.

Before he could understand what was happening, Mrs. Mehra pulled him into a tight embrace.

Aransh stiffened in shock, his breath caught in his throat.
"U–unty... what happned?" he whispered, utterly bewildered.

But Mrs. Mehra only held him tighter as tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, beta... I'm so, so sorry," she cried softly. "We all misunderstood you.  But now... now we know the truth. We know you did nothing wrong you didn't cheat on nisha."

Her voice cracked, every word heavy with remorse and maternal affection she had once withheld from him.

The entire Verma family stood frozen, stunned beyond measure. This was not the scene they expected—not even close. They were certain that the moment Mrs. Mehra saw Aransh, she would slap him, scream at him, blame him for everything that had happened...

But instead, she was holding him as if he were her own child—crying, apologizing, trembling with guilt.

Aransh stood still, unable to process the sudden shift, unable to understand why his biggest critic was now the one seeking forgiveness. His lips parted to say something—anything—but before he could speak, Mr. Verma stepped in sharply.

"We'll deal with all of this later," Mr. Verma said, his tone firm but strained with worry. "Right now, we need to focus on the most important thing."

"We have to find Aanya. That comes first."

He turned to Ishaan.
"Where is she?"

"I—I don't know," Ishaan stammered, his voice breaking. "I came home... but she wasn't anywhere. I checked every room, every corner—she's not here." His hands shook as he pressed them together. "I'm sorry, Uncle... I'm so sorry. But don't worry... I will find her. At any cost. I swear."

Bella stepped forward, her tone firm, urgent.
"Did you check the CCTV cameras?"

Hearing her voice, Aransh whipped his head toward her. Bella gently placed a hand on his arm—a silent reassurance, a whisper without words: We will find her. Don't panic.

"Right—the CCTV!" Ishaan muttered, panic turning into desperate hope. Without another word, he sprinted toward the control room. Everyone rushed after him.

Inside the control room, the security staff pulled up the camera footage. The screen flickered—and then the recording began.

At 6:28 PM, Aanya was seen talking on the landline, her voice tense.
After the call, she sat on the sofa, glancing around anxiously—clearly waiting for someone.
A few minutes later, she went into Ishaan's office, picked up a file, and walked out of the house.

The footage switched to the outside cameras.

Aanya stepped out of the mansion gates.
There were no guards.
No car.
The driveway was unnervingly empty.

She looked at her phone, typing something—probably booking a taxi.
She waited for a moment.

And then—
A car screeched to a stop right in front of her.

Two men jumped out.

Before she could even react, one pressed a chloroform cloth to her face.
Aanya struggled for a second—then went limp.

They shoved her into the car and sped away.

Silence fell in the control room.

Shock. Horror. Rage.

Ishaan's face turned white; Aransh's fists tightened until his knuckles went pale.

"Who the hell are they?!" Aransh roared, fury vibrating in his voice. And with whom she is talking on phone.?

That was me. I had called on the landline, thinking one of the workers would answer so I could ask them to bring my file. But unfortunately, Aanya picked up the phone instead. I totally forget that in the evening the guards and maids are usually on break. Ishaan is feeling guilty.”

Bella leaned closer to the screen, her eyes narrowing at the emblem on the car.
And then she whispered—her voice heavy with dread:

"It's D'Vialo..."

Everyone turned to her at once.

"What?" Ishaan demanded, disbelief choking his voice.

"Yes... Ishaan," Bella said, swallowing hard. "It's Corvo. His men. They kidnapped her. Look at that symbol—D. D'Vialo always uses those cars. I've seen them... back at his mansion when I was there."

Her confession hit the room like a stone.

Aransh frowned sharply, confused.
"What do you mean you were there? When were you at his mansion?"

"I'll explain everything later Aransh," she said. "But first—we need to save Aanya. Corvo's men must have taken her to the same place they took me and... Nisha dii."

Ishaan let out a raw, broken scream—
"Ahhhhhhh! What do they want? Why are they doing this? First they took Dii, then Bella... and now Aanya!"

Aransh froze. His brows pulled together in shock and confusion. He looked from Bella to Ishaan, trying to make sense of their words. He knew who Divalo was—of course he did. He had worked with Ishaan in the Black Crown to hunt and destroy Divalo's network. But what they were saying now... made no sense.

They took Nisha? When?
In his memory, nothing like that had happened before Nisha's death. Everything he knew—everything he believed—contradicted the words he was hearing.

Mr. Verma also looked shaken, glancing between the two families.

"What do you mean they took Nisha there?" Aransh finally asked, his voice sharp.

Ishaan didn't respond. He stood rigid, fists clenched, eyes burning with fury as he stared at the screen, breathing heavily.

Aransh lost his patience.
"I asked you something, Ishaan Mehra!" he shouted.
"What do you mean they took Nisha and Bella there? When?"

Ishaan snapped.

"Yes! They took Nisha!" he roared.
"She's alive, Aransh! She never died. She was kidnapped!"

The entire Verma family gasped.
Aransh staggered back two steps, the ground beneath him suddenly unstable.
Bella immediately grabbed his arm to steady him.

Mrs. Mehra broke down, tears streaming down her face.
Mrs. Verma looked desperately at Mrs. Mehra, silently asking "Is this true?"

Mrs. Mehra swallowed hard and nodded once.

Aransh shook his head, unable to breathe.
"No... no, what—what are you saying, Ishaan? Nisha—she... she is—"

Ishaan cut him off, voice cracking yet fierce.

"Alive. You heard me right. She's alive. And right now she's in the hands of Corvo—Divalo's boss. He's the one behind everything. He did all of this. And now he has taken Aanya too."

Aransh stared at him in shock.

"But how? And why?" he whispered, almost pleading.

Ishaan inhaled deeply, eyes shining with rage and helplessness.
"I'll tell you everything... but first, we have to find Aanya."

Aransh's voice broke.
"Since when did you know all this?"

Ishaan didn't lift his head.
"...Two days."

Aransh blinked, disbelief turning into betrayal.
"Two days? You knew all this for two days... and you didn't tell me?"

Ishaan lowered his gaze further, guilt crushing him.
"I didn't have the courage to face you. I thought... I thought I would rescue Dii first. Then I would tell you everything."

Silence fell—heavy, trembling, heartbreaking.

Arsanh let out a bitter chuckle. "Of course you thought that—the great Ishaan Mehra always does everything alone, doesn't he? 

"So why haven't you taken her out of there yet?" Arsanh demanded.

"I am planning," Ishaan replied, voice rough with frustration. "It's not easy. Ever since Bella escaped from that place, they've become more alert. My men have been watching Corvo's mansion for days, but there are too many guards, too much security. Breaking in isn't simple. I was... I was working on a plan to get Dii out."

"How exactly were you planning to do that?" Arsanh shot back.

"Bella said they go to their main cottage every week because their shipments arrive there. Tomorrow is the end of the week—so I was planning to move then. All their guards would leave the mansion and go to the cottage for the shipment, and only a few guards would remain behind. That was our chance," Ishaan explained.

"But now... I'll do it today," he finished, voice hard and final.

"Fine," Arsanh agreed slowly. "We'll go according to your plan."

"What?" Ishaan snapped. "No. I can't wait one more day. They've taken Aanya too. God knows what they're planning to do to her and Dii. I can't...I won't wait anymore."

"We will go today," Aransh said firmly, "but according to the strategy."

"What strategy?" Ishaan asked sharply.

Aransh crossed his arms. "Half of Divalo's main operation lies in their cottage. That's where they store all their goods. And I'm not stupid; I know they run import and export drugs  from there. So right now—if we go today—and set their storage warehouse on fire, every man they have will rush there in seconds. Divalo doesn't have many mens. And you know exactly why."

Ishaan's lips curved into a cold smirk. "Of course I know. After all, we are the reason."

Aransh smirked back, but his eyes were dark. It's because Black Crown crushed Divalo last year. They destroyed their entire operation and killed the man they thought was their leader. But that wasn't the real one. The true mastermind... is Corvo."

Aransh continued, his voice low but sharp with purpose. "So we will use this moment to our advantage. If the main cottage catches fire, not just the men—even their boss, Corvo—will be forced to rush there. And that will finally give us the opening we need to slip into his mansion."

He finished speaking with a cold smirk, his eyes glittering with determination.

"You're right. Let's go," Ishaan said, already turning toward the exit. Aransh followed behind him, ready to move.

But Bella stepped forward and blocked Ishaan's path.
"I'm coming with you," she said firmly.

"No, Bella," Ishaan replied immediately. "I can't risk your life. It's dangerous."

"I don't care," she shot back, her voice trembling with emotion but her eyes steady. "I promised Dii that I would bring her back. And I will keep that promise—even if it costs me my life. She's waiting for me, and I will go to her. Now you decide—will you take me with you, or should I follow you on my own?"

Her determination was unshakeable, so intense that Ishaan had no choice but to give in.
"Okay," he said softly. "lets go."

Before they could move, Karan stepped forward.
"Bhai, I'm coming too," he said.

"No, Karan. There's no need. I'll bring Dii back—I promise."

"I know you will," Karan replied earnestly. "But please... let me go with you. I can't let you go alone."

"Karan, my men will be there. I won't be alone," Ishaan said, his voice quiet, meant only for Karan to hear.

"I know, Bhai. But still... let me come. Please," Karan insisted, his voice thick with emotion.

Ishaan held his gaze for a long moment, then finally nodded.
"Fine. Let's go."

He turned to face the family standing behind them—Mrs. Mehra and Mrs. Verma, both staring at the boys with tear-filled eyes.

Ishaan walked to his mother and held her hands.
"Mom," he said softly but with unwavering resolve, "I will bring both Nisha Dii and Aanya back. I promise."

Aransh  bent and hugged his own mother. Mrs. Verma cupped his face with trembling hands.

"You're getting your love back, your life back... Nisha," she whispered. "This time, please... bring her home."

"I will, Mom," Arsanh murmured. "I promise."

Mr. Verma stepped closer to Aransh, placing a firm yet comforting hand on his shoulder. His voice carried both authority and affection as he said, "First, take care of yourself... and bring my daughter-in-law home safely." Then, with a faint chuckle curling at the edge of his lips, he added, "As for my daughter... I'm sure she must already be in action by now."

ishaan, who stood beside them, exchanged a look with Mr. Verma and Dinesh, a knowing smile forming on his face. " mr verma," he said softly,  before turning to dinesh. "Uncle, please take care of the family here. We'll return soon—with Nisha and Aanya both." His tone carried a promise, steady and reassuring.

They all stepped out into the cool night air, heading toward the line of cars waiting by the gate. As they walked, Ishaan's troubled thoughts finally broke into words. His voice was strained, confused, almost desperate.
"What did Uncle mean... that Aanya must already be in action by now?"

Aransh let out a small, amused chuckle, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe Ishaan still didn't understand. "It seems," he said slowly, "you haven't fully figured out my sister yet."

"What does that even mean?" Ishaan asked, frustration mixing with worry in his tone.

"You'll know soon enough," Aransh replied, his eyes carrying a hint of pride—the kind that belonged to someone who knew just how strong and unpredictable Aanya truly was.

They reached the vehicles. Engines hummed quietly, headlights slicing through the darkness. The tension in the air was sharp—like the calm before a storm.

"I'll head to the Devialo Cottage with Karan," Aransh instructed, slipping into command with natural ease. "You go with Bella to the mansion."

Ishaan nodded silently. Worry twisted in his chest, but determination burned just as strongly. Without another word, they each stepped into their respective cars, doors closing with a heavy thud that echoed through the quiet night—marking the beginning of a desperate, urgent search.

The night air split under the roar of two engines—Aransh and Ishaan driving like men possessed, their cars slicing through the road with reckless urgency. Aransh's hands were gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles had turned white. For five months, he had lived with the burial of his heart—believing Nisha, his love, was gone forever. 

He had mourned her, died with her, and forced himself to breathe for the sake of others. But now... now the truth was a violent storm inside him. She's alive. The words pulsed in his mind with every heartbeat.

What must she have endured? How much pain did she swallow alone? Where is she? What condition is she in? His mind raced faster than his car, each thought carving a wound deeper than the next. Rage, relief, fear, hope—they all collided inside him, almost choking him as he sped forward like a man chasing his own soul.

Beside him on another road, Ishaan drove with the same desperation, the same frantic energy shaking through his body. He had just regained the love again... and now, again, she was slipping from his grasp. His breath came in harsh, uneven gasps as he whispered a prayer over and over, voice trembling.

"Please... please, Aanya... be okay. I'm coming. Just hold on, rose... I'm coming." His heart hammered with terror, because the thought of losing her—truly losing her—was something his chest wasn't built to survive again. Beside him seating bella heard everything but didn't say anything she just looked outside the window and whispered to herself. I hope you both are okay.

___

Meanwhile, two hours earlier, on the other side of the city...

Aanya had been dragged unconscious into a cold, unfamiliar mansion where Nisha had been held captive for months. The men who worked for Diavolo carried her like cargo, shoving her carelessly onto a sofa in the vast, dimly lit living room. For a long while she lay still—until her lashes trembled and her eyes slowly fluttered open.

Her vision blurred before settling into clarity. She pushed herself up, confusion fogging her mind. "Where... where am I?" she whispered to herself, scanning the unfamiliar room. Then her gaze lifted—and she froze. All around her, tall, muscular men stood like statues, guarding every exit, their expressions unreadable. It took her a few seconds to stitch the pieces together—then it struck her like lightning.

"Oh... holy shit. I got kidnapped." She said it not in fear, but in genuine disbelief—like she had suddenly stumbled into the pages of a dramatic novel.

She blinked again, almost impressed.
"Wow. So I finally experienced this moment too... just like in those stories where the villain kidnaps the heroine and the hero comes to save her." She looked around thoughtfully. "Will Ishaan come to save me?" The thought made her heart stumble—but only for a moment.

Then another realization hit her—harder, sharper.
"If I got kidnapped... then the villain has to be Corvo. Ishaan said today that everything in the last five months—every attack, every threat, every disappearance... it was all Corvo." Her breath caught in her throat. "Then—Dii." Her eyes widened with fear. "If I'm right... Dii must be here somewhere."

Her heartbeat quickened. I have to find her. She forced herself to stay calm and looked around again. But the room was full of men—each one towering over six feet, each one armed, each one watching.

"How am I supposed to find Dii with six-foot monsters blocking every direction?" she whispered to herself, glancing around carefully, her mind already plotting her next move.

Aanya's eyes swept across the room once more—and strangely, none of the guards were actually looking at her. Their attention was scattered, bored, drifting anywhere but toward her. Slowly, silently, she rose from the sofa. Every muscle in her body tensed as she took one cautious step... then another... inching toward the only door she had noticed when she first woke up. Her heart thudded, her feet barely making a sound on the cold marble floor.

But the moment she moved past the large pillar, a voice thundered behind her.

"HEY! Stop!"

Aanya froze mid-step, stiff as stone.
Seriously? He had to notice now? Another ten seconds and I would've been inside the damn room already! she muttered internally, exasperated.

She turned around slowly, forcing a sheepish smile onto her face.
"Hehehe... I was just... admiring your mansion. It's... very nice," she said, her voice wobbling with a fake politeness even she didn't believe.

The guard frowned and walked toward her. His hand lifted to grab her arm—but before he could even touch her, Aanya jerked backward, twisted, and sprinted away.

"HEY! CATCH HER!" another guard shouted.

Three more men jumped into action instantly.

And then the chaos began.

Aanya ran through the enormous mansion, weaving between pillars, dodging furniture, her breath sharp and fast. Heavy footsteps thundered behind her. One guard lunged, almost catching her wrist—but Aanya spun around, grabbed his hand, and twisted it so brutally that the man screamed, collapsing into the wall so hard that his head smacked against it.

All the guards stared—stunned.

Aanya straightened her posture dramatically, rolling her shoulders like some action-movie hero preparing for battle.
"Oh ho... finally! My black-belt karate moves are going to be useful. I thought they'd go to waste in this lifetime," she said, almost excited.

Her gaze locked on the remaining guards.
"Okay, six-foot kids. It's showtime. Come on—but please, one at a time, haan?"

But they didn't come one by one.
They charged together.

And Aanya fought.

The first guard reached her with a heavy swing of his arm. Aanya ducked under it smoothly, grabbed his wrist mid-air, and twisted it backward with a sharp jerk.
A loud crack echoed.

"AAAHHH!"
He dropped to his knees, clutching his arm in agony.

Before the second could react, Aanya spun around and kicked him square in the chest.
Her foot hit him like a hammer.
He flew backward and crashed into a pillar, groaning as he slid down.

The third guard came from behind. Aanya sensed his presence — she dropped low just as he reached for her, swept her leg in a perfect arc, and knocked his feet out from under him.

He hit the floor with a heavy thud.

Three more guards rushed in.

One grabbed her arm.
Aanya yanked her arm free, elbowed him in the jaw, and the man stumbled back, dazed.

Another guard tried to bear-hug her from behind.
Aanya stomped her heel onto his foot so hard he screamed, then she leaned forward and flipped him over her shoulder, slamming him onto the ground.

The last one was larger than the others — easily twice her size.
He lifted his fist.

"Oh wow, Hulk version," she muttered.

He swung.

Aanya dodged like a dancer, stepped to the side, grabbed his collar, and smashed her forehead into his nose.

Blood spurted.
The giant roared and collapsed, clutching his face.

Within minutes, the room was a battlefield.

Men groaned on the floor — one holding a twisted arm, another holding his stomach, another nursing a bruised jaw. Someone was crying. Someone was begging for a doctor. Someone was rolling on the floor holding his ankle.

Aanya dusted her hands, exhausted but proud. If no one can stop me now, I'll find Dii, she thought.

"You people kidnapped the wrong girl," she said with a chuckle.
"Six-foot babies."

She started walking toward the hallway, certain no one was left to stop her.

But one guard — the only one still conscious, the one whose nose she had fractured earlier — slowly got up. His face was swollen, his breathing labored, but revenge burned in his eyes.

Before Aanya sensed him, he grabbed her hair from behind and yanked hard.

Aanya screamed as she hit the floor, pain slicing through her back.

The man—his nose already broken—took advantage of her moment of weakness and pinned her wrist down, and tie it behind her.  breathing heavily as he stood over her.

"Caught you... finally, you litt—"

But before he could finish the sentence, Aanya's knee shot upward—straight between his legs.

The man let out a shrill scream and collapsed to the floor in agony, rolling like a dying fish.

Barely breathing, he fumbled for his phone, his hands shaking.
"Boss... you have to come. She—she's not normal. She's taken out almost all our men!"

A cold, irritated voice snapped from the other side.
"What nonsense? One girl and you idiots can't handle her?"
Corvo cut the call without waiting for an answer.
___

For the next thirty minutes, the mansion fell into a strange silence—broken only by the groans of injured guards.
Aanya's body felt heavy, drained, exhausted; her eyelids fluttered lazily as fatigue wrapped around her like a thick blanket.

Then—suddenly—the main door creaked open.

Footsteps echoed slowly across the marble floor.

A tall silhouette appeared in front of her. She was too tired to react, too tired to even stand. Sleep was pulling her under when the man finally reached her and spoke in a smooth, mocking voice.

"Welcome to Corvo's world, Mrs. Aanya Mehra."

Her half-closed eyes drifted downward first—black leather shoes.
Then upward—expensive trousers, a dark shirt.
Then higher—toward the face.

And when her gaze finally met his...

Her breath stopped.

Her eyes widened in shock.

And a single name escaped her trembling lips.

"Arav..." 

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