It was another quiet morning inside the Romano mansion. The private gym, usually filled with the sound of weights clashing, machines moving, and Albert Romano's brutal workout routine, was strangely silent today. No punching. No running. No grunting. Just silence.

Donato pushed the gym door open, expecting to find his older brother halfway through destroying another workout session like always. But instead, he stopped at the sight in front of him.

Albert was sitting on the bench in his black gym clothes, elbows resting on his knees, completely lost somewhere inside his own thoughts. He wasn't even moving. And the strangest part-He hadn't noticed Donato entering.

Donato narrowed his eyes suspiciously before walking over and dropping beside him heavily. Still no reaction."Brother?" he called once. Nothing. A smirk slowly appeared on Donato's face.Then suddenly-He grabbed Albert's shoulder and shook him hard.

Albert flinched violently. "What the hell-!"

He turned sharply, glaring. Donato burst out laughing. "Where are you lost, huh? Did Kavya reject you already?"

Albert stared at him for a second before sighing dramatically like a man carrying the pain of the entire world. "I would've gotten rejected if I had actually proposed," he muttered.

Donato blinked. "Meaning?"

"Meaning..." Albert dragged a hand down his face tiredly. "I didn't tell her anything."

"What?" Donato frowned immediately. "Bro, why? Yesterday was literally the perfect opportunity for you!"

Albert gave him a dead look. "I thought the same thing too," he said. "But trust me, if I had confessed yesterday, you all would probably be preparing for my funeral right now."

Donato's eyes widened instantly. "What? Why? What happened?"

Albert pointed at him dramatically. "Ask what didn't happen."

"Okay..." Donato leaned back slightly, entertained now. "What didn't happen?"

Albert glared at him so hard that Donato immediately lifted his hands in surrender. Then Albert sighed again and muttered like a traumatized man, "Donato... she's dangerous."

"Who? Kavya?" Donato asked, confused.

"Yes, brother. Kavya." Albert nodded seriously. "Very dangerous."

Donato frowned harder. "Will you tell me properly what happened?"

Albert leaned back against the bench and finally started explaining everything. How the day started perfectly. How they spent the entire day together. How Kavya smiled genuinely. How she enjoyed every peaceful place he took her to. How happy she looked.

And how everything was going perfectly, Until Gia arrived and ruined it.Albert explained the café scene in detail-the argument, the insults, Gia trying to grab Kavya-And then-How Kavya twisted her hand and slammed her face against the table in front of everyone like it was the easiest thing in the world.

Donato listened silently for a few seconds. Then suddenly-He sighed deeply. "That sounds very Rajput."

Albert looked at him blankly. "What does that even mean?"

Donato turned slowly toward him, eyes full of shared suffering.

"Bro welcome to Rajput girl supremacy," he said tiredly, "Kiara is exactly the same."

Albert froze. Both brothers stared at each other for a second. Then together-They sighed at the exact same time. The synchronized suffering of two Romano men trapped under Rajput girl supremacy.

Albert rubbed his forehead tiredly. "I swear she looked ready to murder Gia in that café."

Donato scoffed. "Ready? Brother, Kiara once smiled while threatening a Empolye. That smile scared me more than my enemies."

Albert slowly turned toward him. "And you married her?"

Donato looked offended. "Excuse me. I married beauty, attitude, danger, emotional damage, and lifetime stress together."

Albert snorted despite himself.

"And the worst part?" Donato continued dramatically. "You can't even stay angry at them. One pout and finished. Over. Gone."

Albert stared into space for a moment before muttering quietly, "She called herself a Rajput girl before threatening someone."

Donato nodded sympathetically like a war survivor. "Yeah. That's the warning sign." Silence fell for a second. Then Donato smirked suddenly. "So..." he dragged teasingly, nudging Albert's shoulder, "future Mr. Rajput-son-in-law... when are you confessing?"

Albert looked genuinely horrified. "Bro," he whispered seriously, "I value my life."

Donato burst out laughing at the dramatic expression on his face, but Albert only sighed again, this time more heavily. "But still..." he muttered quietly, rubbing his forehead tiredly, "I can't let her leave like that." There it was.

The real thing hidden beneath all the joking. The restlessness. The fear. The desperation he had been trying to ignore since morning. Albert leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his gaze fixed on the gym floor. "What should I do, Donato?" he asked finally, his voice quieter now.

For a moment, Donato stayed silent, watching his older brother carefully. Then suddenly- "Why don't you go to India with them?"

Albert immediately looked up. "What?" The confusion on his face was almost instant.

Donato smirked slightly at the expression before leaning back casually against the bench. "Listen carefully," he said calmly. "You clearly need time. Time to prepare yourself. Time to make her feel the same way. Time to confess properly."

Albert listened silently. "And for all that," Donato continued, "you need to stay close to her. If she leaves, none of this will work. Phone calls won't help. Messages won't help. You need to actually be there with her."

The words settled heavily inside Albert's mind. "So why not go with them?" Donato finished simply. Albert frowned immediately. "Donato, how can I suddenly go with them? Won't that look odd?"

"No?" Donato looked at him like the answer was obvious. "Why would it look odd to go with your own mother?"

Albert blinked. And then- Realization hit him. Right. their mom was going too.

Every year, Donato used to accompany his mother to India after joining the company. It had become somewhat of a routine for them. Only the last two years had broken that pattern-after Tara's death, he don't have the heart for those trips anymore. but when he go again this time he got married with kiara."

And this year-their mother was going again. And suddenly the idea didn't sound impossible anymore. Donato noticed the shift immediately and smirked knowingly.

"Exactly," he said. "This time Mom is technically going alone. Not fully alone, obviously, but still. So why not go with her? That way you'll get time with Kavya too." Albert stayed quiet, thinking deeply now.

"Because honestly, brother..." Donato's tone softened slightly, becoming serious now. "I don't think you have time to waste."

Albert's brows furrowed instantly. "What does that mean?"

Donato hesitated briefly before answering. "I don't know everything clearly," he admitted. "But Kiara mentioned something. Apparently all the ladies have started planning your marriage. Looking for girls and all."

Albert froze. "And I think," Donato continued carefully, "Mom going to India is partly because of that. Not just company work."

For a second-Albert genuinely looked shocked. "What?" he said sharply. "Why don't I know about this? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Donato lifted his hands slightly. "Brother, even I don't know fully. I tried asking Kiara properly, but she didn't tell me much. She just said that Albert brother gave consent to find a girl for him, so now Mom and Nonna are taking it seriously."

Albert cursed softly under his breath and leaned back against the bench, dragging both hands through his hair. Regret flooded his face instantly. "I said yes before Kavya came here," he muttered bitterly. "At that time... I didn't care. I thought maybe it was time."

His jaw tightened. "But now..." he laughed softly, helplessly. "Now she came into my life." His voice lowered almost to a whisper. "How am I supposed to marry another woman now?"

Donato looked at him quietly for a moment before speaking again. "That's exactly why I'm telling you to go with them," he said firmly. "Go there. Spend time with her. Pursue her properly. And when the time comes... tell Mom about her."

Albert slowly looked toward him. For the first time since entering the gym, there was clarity in his eyes. Hope. Determination. A decision. "You're right," he said finally. A slow smile appeared on his face. "I'll go with them."His voice grew firmer with every word. "I can't let her leave like this."

Donato grinned immediately and threw an arm around his shoulder proudly. "That's my brother." Albert chuckled quietly, shaking his head. But deep inside-For the first time since realizing his feelings for Kavya-He finally felt like he had a chance.

____

The late afternoon sun poured golden light over the private practice ground behind the Romano estate, painting everything in warm amber shades. The sharp scent of fresh grass mixed with the faint metallic smell of arrows and polished weapons.

In the middle of the massive field stood Sofia, completely focused, dressed in fitted black training clothes, her long hair tied into a high ponytail that swayed with every movement. Sweat glistened lightly over her forehead after almost two straight hours of practice, yet not even a trace of exhaustion appeared on her face. She looked alive here. Calm. Dangerous. Beautiful. One after another, arrows flew from her bow with terrifying precision.

Thwack.

Bullseye.

Thwack.

Another bullseye.

The guards standing nearby had long stopped pretending they were not impressed. Some watched with folded arms, some exchanged amazed glances, and a few looked completely whipped by her talent. Sofia noticed none of it. She was too busy testing the new imported archery equipment laid neatly over the wooden table beside her.

She picked up one of the sleek black arrows, examining its balance carefully between her fingers, her brows furrowing thoughtfully.

That was when another voice entered the peaceful atmosphere. "Ye tumahre khelene ke liye khelona nahi hai bacchi, uso chodo jao tum doll doll khelo." ("This is not a toy for a little girl like you to play with. Leave it and go play with dolls instead.")

Krish walked toward the field with a smirk stretched across his face, hands casually tucked into his pockets. There was still lingering bitterness inside him from the football match disaster where Sofia had completely destroyed his pride in front of everyone. Since then, his ego had refused to recover.

Sofia slowly looked up at him, not understanding a single word he had just said.

Before she could ask, her eyes shifted slightly and landed on Donato standing a few feet away. He had apparently arrived sometime earlier and was now leaning lazily against a pillar with folded arms, clearly entertained already. The dangerous amusement dancing in his eyes made it obvious-he knew exactly where this was going.

Sofia immediately brightened. "Donato brother," she called sweetly, "did you understand what he said?"

Donato bit back a grin. "Yes, baby," he answered calmly. "He called you a kid and said this archery is not your to toy. go play with doll instead, Apparently he thinks this is not your thing."

The second those words left his mouth, Sofia slowly turned her head toward Krish again. One elegant eyebrow rose upward. A slow smirk spread across her lips. "Is that so?" she asked softly. Something in her tone instantly made Donato chuckle under his breath.

Krish, however, still had no survival instincts.

Sofia glanced toward the fruit tray sitting beside the guards. "Uncle," she called politely to one of them, "can you give me that apple?"

The guard obeyed immediately, handing her the bright red apple. Sofia took it casually... then suddenly grabbed Krish's wrist.

Krish froze. The moment her fingers wrapped around his hand, something strange shot through his entire body like electricity. Warm. Sharp. Unexpected. His brain short-circuited so badly that he did not even realize she was dragging him across the field.

Donato watched everything with pure entertainment.

Within seconds, Sofia positioned Krish directly in front of the large archery target board. Before he could even process what was happening, she placed the apple carefully on top of his head. Then she lightly tapped his cheek.

"Come out of your imaginary world, handsome."

That single word made Krish blink rapidly. Handsome? His poor heart nearly betrayed him on the spot. But then reality hit. He looked up. Apple. On his head. Then he looked ahead. Sofia was now several feet away, standing in shooting position with the bow fully raised.

The arrow was aimed directly at him. Krish's soul immediately left his body. "Ye-yeah-what are you doing?!" he shrieked, stumbling slightly. "Are you planning to kill me?! Brother-in-law! Please save me! If something happens to me my sister will kill you! She loves me more than you!"

Donato burst into laughter so hard he nearly bent over. "Relax," nothing like this happen, he said between laughs. "Trust me. Sofi is very good with her toys."

"Trust you?" Krish cried dramatically. "Never! Both sister and brother crazy people! Diii! Diiii! Save your brother!"

The guards were trying not to laugh openly anymore.

Sofia narrowed her eyes. "Stand still, Krish," she warned coldly. "Otherwise I cannot guarantee where this arrow will go."

Krish instantly turned into a statue. Not even breathing. His entire body trembled while sweat rolled down his forehead.

Sofia inhaled slowly. Pulled the string back. Her sharp eyes locked on the target. Then Whoosh. The arrow cut through the air like lightning. Krish squeezed his eyes shut immediately, mentally accepting death. One second. Two seconds. Nothing happened.

No pain. No blood. No heaven. Slowly, hesitantly, he opened one eye. The apple was gone. Completely sliced into two perfect halves lying near his feet. The arrow had pierced the target behind him with deadly accuracy. Silence fell for one full second.

Krish stared at the apple pieces in horror. Then at Sofia. Then at the arrow. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. His knees gave out. And in the next second-Thud. Krish fainted dramatically right beside the sliced apple.

For two seconds nobody reacted. Then Donato exploded into uncontrollable laughter so loudly that even the guards lost composure and burst out laughing too. Sofia blinked innocently while lowering her bow.

"...Did he really faint?" she asked casually.

Donato wiped tears from his eyes from laughing too much. "Baby," he managed to say between breaths, "I think you just traumatized him for life."

_____

The evening breeze moved softly through the vast Romano garden, carrying the faint scent of roses and fresh rain from somewhere far away. The sky above was painted in deep shades of orange and purple as the sun slowly disappeared behind the mansion walls. Tiny golden lights wrapped around the garden trees glowed gently, making the entire place look warm and dreamy. In the middle of all that beauty sat Elana Romano, alone on the white garden bench near the fountain.

Her fingers absentmindedly played with the edge of her shirt while her eyes continuously drifted toward the huge black gates of the mansion every few seconds. It was unconscious now. She would look away, force herself to focus on something else, then moments later her gaze would return there again-as if waiting for someone.

Or more specifically... hoping. But the gates never opened. A soft sigh escaped her lips. It had been days since she last saw Enzo. Days since their argument. Days since he disappeared from the mansion completely. And that alone felt wrong.

Enzo practically lived here. Even when he was busy, even when work consumed him, he still somehow found excuses to visit. Sometimes for dinner. Sometimes just coffee. Sometimes to annoy everyone for no reason. But now... nothing.

No teasing voice. No sarcastic comments. No smirking face leaning against the doorway. Nothing. And she hated how much she noticed his absence. Elana lowered her eyes, her chest tightening painfully.

"Why are you doing this to me, Enzo..." she whispered softly to herself, almost broken. "Please don't confuse me like this." Her voice trembled slightly. "I'm trying to move on from you. I know you have someone else... you're happy with her..." She swallowed hard, forcing the lump in her throat down. "So let me move on too. Let me be happy with someone who actually wants me."

Even saying those words hurt. Because deep down, no matter how much she tried to deny it, her heart still searched for only one person. A familiar presence approached quietly before the bench dipped beside her.

Kiara sat next to her gently, observing her for a moment before speaking. "Missing Enzo?"

Elana's breath hitched instantly. She looked at Kiara so fast that it almost exposed everything written on her face. "W-What? Why would I miss Enzo?" she asked too quickly, clearly flustered. "I-I'm missing my boyfriend. Yeah... Nico. I'm missing Nico, not Enzo."

The words came out rushed and unnatural. Kiara tried not to smile at how obvious she was. "Oh right ," she hummed softly. "Your boyfriend." Elana straightened slightly, pretending calmness she clearly didn't feel.

Kiara tilted her head a little before asking carefully, "So... how is he? Is he good with you? Does he make you happy, Eli?"

That question softened Elana's expression a little. "Yeah..." she answered quietly. "He is good with me. When I'm with him... I feel lighter sometimes. I forget things for a while." A tiny smile appeared on her lips. "He tries really hard to make me happy."

Kiara nodded slowly. Then suddenly asked-"So you love him now?"

The question froze Elana completely. Her lips parted slightly. Love? Did she love Nico? The silence stretched. And for the first time, she truly thought about it seriously. No. No... she didn't. She liked him. She appreciated him.

But love? Love was dangerous. Love was confusing. Love looked like black eyes staring at her like she was his entire world while refusing to claim her. Love looked like Enzo. Elana let out a small awkward laugh and rubbed her forehead lightly.

"Kia, what are you saying?" she murmured. "It's too soon to love someone. I mean... I like him, yeah. But love?" She shook her head softly. "No. I don't think so." Then her voice became quieter. "But I'm trying to move on, isn't that enough? Trying to get out of Enzo's life?"

Kiara looked at her silently for a few seconds. The pain in Elana's eyes was impossible to miss. "Whatever you do," Kiara finally said softly, "just make sure you're happy and safe. If he's really good to you... and if this is what you want... then okay."

Elana nodded faintly.

"But still," Kiara continued carefully, "you and Enzo need one honest conversation. One real conversation. Tell him everything. How you feel. What you feel. Don't leave things unfinished like this." just talk with him once."

At those words, Elana's expression dimmed again. "There's nothing left to talk about anymore, Kia." The way she said it sounded less like confidence... and more like surrender.

Kiara sighed softly but didn't push further. She understood some wounds could not be forced open. To lighten the mood, she leaned back slightly and asked casually, "By the way, where is he? I haven't seen him since the snacks party."

Elana looked toward the mansion gates again unconsciously before replying quietly, "I don't know either. He hasn't come to the mansion at all." She paused. "Usually this only happens when he leaves the country for business trips."

Kiara frowned slightly. "Maybe," she murmured. "I didn't see him at the office either." The two women fell into silence after that. Only the soft sound of the fountain echoed between them.

And somewhere far away, beyond the peaceful Romano mansion... the man were talking himslef whil standing in darkness that should i tell the truth every one or not, drowning in truths that were about to change everything if he decided to spill it.

So how's the chapter?
I hope you are all enjoying
Please tell me your thoughts about this chapter bye bye take love's 🫀