Karan had planned everything carefully.It had taken months of quiet negotiations, bribes, and secret meetings in dimly lit alleys. Finding the right people to smuggle Hema out of the country had been dangerous, but he had done it without hesitation.Because Hema’s life depended on it.And maybe—maybe his heart did too.⸻The Final GoodbyeThey stood near the port, hidden in the shadows of towering cargo containers. The salty sea breeze carried the scent of rust and diesel, the air thick with tension.Hema was draped in a black hijab, her face mostly concealed, blending in with the other women in the group who were about to cross the border illegally.But before she could leave—She turned back.Karan stood there, his hands clenched into fists, his jaw tight. He had told himself he wouldn’t make this harder than it already was. He had promised himself he wouldn’t ask her to stay.But when she stepped closer, holding Aara one last time—Something inside him cracked.Hema cradled the ba
The roar of the engine echoed through the empty streets as Karan sped through the city, his hands gripping the wheel tightly. The air was thick with tension, every passing second bringing the weight of inevitable danger.In the passenger seat, Hema clutched Aara against her chest, her heartbeat frantic, her breath uneven. The little girl whimpered, burying her face into Hema’s neck, sensing the fear in the air.Hema held her closer, whispering soft reassurances, though her hands trembled. The terror gripping her heart wasn’t for herself—it was for them. For Aara. For Karan.She couldn’t let Zayden find them.And she knew he would.“Karan…” Her voice was weak, barely above a whisper. She turned to him, her face half-hidden in the dim glow of passing streetlights. “You need to let me go.”Karan’s jaw tightened, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the wheel. “No.”Her throat constricted. “Please.”He didn’t answer.She reached out, grabbing his wrist. “Karan, listen to me! You don’t und
The house loomed before them, silent and dark under the moonlit sky. A place that once felt safe, a sanctuary hidden from Zayden’s reach, now felt like nothing more than a temporary illusion—one that had shattered the moment their escape failed.Karan pulled the car to a stop in front of the house, his grip on the wheel tightening. The weight of defeat settled over them like a heavy fog, thick and inescapable.Hema sat motionless in the passenger seat, her body drained of every last ounce of fight. Her mind had stopped racing, her heartbeat had slowed.It was over.The night stretched on, quiet except for Aara’s soft breathing against her chest. The little girl had fallen asleep, her tiny arms curled tightly around Hema’s body, unaware of the storm raging around them.Karan stepped out of the car, moved to her side, and opened the door for her that she snapped out of it.She hesitated.Her entire body felt numb, but Karan didn’t give her time to sink further into hopelessness. He reac
The room was suffocating with silence.Hema’s heart stopped the moment she stepped inside.There, in the dim glow of the room’s overhead light, Zayden sat like a king on his throne—his long legs stretched out lazily, one arm resting on the couch. But it wasn’t his presence that sent terror down her spine.It was Aara.She was in his arms.Tiny. Vulnerable. Oblivious to the monster holding her.And then—Karan.Two massive men flanked him, pressing cold steel against his temple.But Karan didn’t look at them.Didn’t look at the gun.His eyes were locked on Aara.Fearless—but not for himself.Hema couldn’t breathe.A slow, cruel smirk pulled at Zayden’s lips as he stared at Aara like he was inspecting a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit.His fingers traced the baby’s tiny arm. “She doesn’t resemble me,” he murmured.Hema felt the blood drain from her face.Zayden’s dark eyes flickered up, locking onto hers.“But she should, shouldn’t she?”Her stomach twisted.He thought—he thought Aara
Aara’s cry pierced through the suffocating air.Hema’s body trembled as she cradled the little girl against her chest, her own tears falling silently onto Aara’s soft curls. The way Zayden had thrown her onto the sofa like she was nothing—like she wasn’t a child, but an object—shattered something inside her.She rocked Aara gently, whispering soothing words between her own sobs, pressing kisses to the little one’s forehead.But when she looked up, she saw him beating Karan very badly.“Zayden, please stop” shouted from his behind and tried to stop him by pulling his white shirt.He turned towards her.His dark eyes burned with something she had never seen before.It wasn’t just rage. It wasn’t just jealousy.It was betrayal. Raw, seething betrayal.“Twice.” His voice was razor-sharp. “You’ve cheated me twice.”Hema froze.His hands clenched into fists. “First, Arvind. Now this man?” His gaze flickered toward Karan, who was still on the floor, his lip split, blood staining his shirt. “
In the back seat, Hema sat rigidly, her eyes fixed on the house she had called home for the past year, the only place she had ever felt safe. The place where she had found peace after escaping from Zayden, the powerful man who had once had complete control over her life.As the car pulled further away from the house, Hema felt a sense of dread wash over her. She knew that Zayden had finally found her after searching for a year, and now she was at his mercy once again. She tried to calm her racing heart as she felt Zayden's presence beside her, his large frame taking up most of the space in the back seat. Zayden's hand suddenly gripped the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her long dark hair. He yanked her head to the side, burying his face in the crook of her neck and inhaling deeply. "I missed you so fucking much," he growled, his hot breath fanning over her skin. She could smell the expensive cologne he always wore mixed with the whiskey on his breath. He inhaled deeply, a
Hema stirred awake, her body aching all over. The events of last night came flooding back in a rush - running from Zayden, hiding in the forest, the chase, the slap that knocked her out cold. Now she found herself naked, sprawled on the bed next to her monstrous husband. Zayden's heavy arm was slung possessively across her chest, his face nuzzled into the crook of her neck. Even in sleep, he exuded an aura of danger and raw male energy. Hema shuddered, her heart starting to race. She knew she needed to escape. But fear paralyzed her limbs."Ah ah ah, where do you think you're going, my naughty wife?" Zayden's smooth voice purred in her ear, startling her. His hand tightened around her breast. Hema froze, hardly daring to breathe. He wasn't fully asleep? Did he know she was awake? Oh God, this couldn't be happening...Zayden nipped at her earlobe, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine. "Shall we pick up where we left off, hmm?" His other hand slid down her stomach, past her
The grand auction hall in New York was buzzing with the presence of the wealthiest and most powerful figures in the world. Under shimmering chandeliers, men and women in tailored suits and designer gowns sat in elegant rows, their expressions focused as they raised their paddles to bid on assets worth billions.Mia sat at the front, her gaze cold and unreadable. She was dressed in a sleek black gown, a symbol of her authority. Her presence alone was enough to send shivers through the room. She was here for one reason—to win.Zayden, on the other hand, was a picture of calm arrogance. His confidence was unmatched, dressed sharply in a dark three-piece suit, with his signature smirk playing on his lips. He was no longer just a feared mafia leader—he was now the wealthiest man in the country, thanks to the recent success of his new drug. His empire had grown stronger, untouchable.Mia had prepared for this moment for months. The company being auctioned today was crucial for expanding her
For three days, Hema experienced a rare peace.Zayden hadn’t forced himself on her.He hadn’t touched her.He hadn’t even come to her room at night, which was the most unusual part.Instead, he made everything comfortable for her.Every morning, a lavish breakfast was delivered to her room—though she barely ate it. A sophisticated BarcaLounger had appeared in her room, one of the finest recliners money could buy. But she refused to sit in it.She didn’t want to be tricked into believing this was kindness.Even when he got her a warming pad to ease her discomfort, she insisted on using it herself.It was like he was trying to pacify her.But she knew better.This wasn’t a change of heart.It was the calm before the storm.And she would never let herself forget that.At night, she lay awake, staring at the ceiling, feeling relief that the monster beside her had chosen to stay away. But the relief was accompanied by something else—something that had been gnawing at her ever since she was
Hema barely reacted when Zayden turned the key and pulled the heavy door open.The lock clicked open—a sound that should’ve brought her relief. But she knew better. Zayden never did anything without a reason.He stood there, watching her with unreadable eyes, his tall frame leaning against the doorframe like he had all the time in the world.She waited for him to speak, to issue another one of his smug, condescending commands. But he didn’t.Hema didn’t ask why he was suddenly setting her free. There was no point. Speaking to him was like speaking to fire—no matter how much sense you made, you’d only end up burned.Instead, she walked past him, silent and deliberate.But she barely made it two steps before his hand closed around her wrist.Hema stiffened.His grip wasn’t painful, but it was firm—possessive, in the way that only Zayden knew how to be.“Ignoring me now, sweetheart?” His voice was calm, laced with amusement. But there was something sharper underneath it, something danger
The afternoon sun hung lazily over Zayden’s mansion, casting a golden glow across the sprawling estate. The place was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that carried danger within its folds. Zayden had made sure of that—his security was tighter than ever, and his movements had become calculated.For few days now, he had barely stepped out of his home, which had raised suspicions in the underworld. His enemies wondered if he was plotting something. His allies whispered about his uncharacteristic retreat. But Mia—she knew better.Something was keeping him here.Or rather, someone.And today, she intended to find out who.⸻Hema sat in the lush garden of the mansion, absorbed in a book. The gentle rustling of leaves, the warm afternoon breeze, and the rare moment of peace made her feel almost normal. Almost.But she should have known—peace was an illusion in Zayden’s world.The moment she heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind, her body tensed. Before she could react, a strong hand
The cold was biting, unforgiving.As soon as they landed, a harsh gust of wind sent a shiver through Hema’s body. She wrapped her arms around herself, her breath turning into white mist.Zayden, who stepped out right behind her, noticed immediately. Without a word, he slipped off his heavy black coat and draped it over her shoulders.Hema flinched, stiffening under his touch. She turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowed.“What is this?” she muttered, gripping the edges of the coat.Zayden’s expression was unreadable, but his voice was firm. “You’re cold.”Hema scoffed, shoving his hand off her. “Since when do you care?”Zayden didn’t answer. He simply grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful, and started leading her forward.“Let’s go,” he said.“Go where?” she snapped, resisting.“Shopping.”Hema frowned. “I don’t want—”But Zayden didn’t wait for her to finish. He pulled her along effortlessly, forcing her into the nearest luxury shopping mall.A Hollow TripInside, the c
The morning sun barely peeked through the heavy curtains when Hema stirred awake. The familiar suffocating warmth wrapped around her—the same grip that had held her captive throughout the night.Zayden.His arm was locked around her waist, his body pressing into hers possessively, as if even in his sleep, he knew she was always trying to escape.Hema let out a shaky breath. She tried to wriggle out of his grip, but it only tightened, his subconscious refusing to let her go.He never leaves.Unlike before, when he had long days at work, now he remained in the mansion, constantly watching her. Always present.Her gaze flickered to the VFX headset resting near her pillow. Carefully, she reached out and hugged it close to her chest, as if clinging to the last piece of her sanity.But even as she found comfort in the illusion of her brother’s presence, the cruel truth gnawed at her mind—Both Arvind and her brother had died because of him.Her eyes snapped back to Zayden’s peaceful, sleepi
The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden streaks of light through the large windows of the mansion. It was past midday, and the estate was quiet—too quiet. Zayden sat in his office, his fingers loosely gripping a glass of whiskey while his phone rested against his ear.Mark’s voice came through the other end, firm and serious. “We’ve taken care of it. They won’t reach her.”Zayden exhaled, rolling the glass in his palm. “Make sure of it, Mark. I don’t want any mistakes.”Mark nodded from the other end. “Understood, boss.”With that, the call ended.Zayden leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. He had too many enemies, too many people who would love to rip Hema away from him. He wasn’t going to let that happen. She was his. No one could take her.A moment later, he stood, his eyes scanning the room. Where was she? He hadn’t seen her since their argument. His gaze landed on the untouched glass of fresh juice on his desk.With a sigh, he picked it up and left the office, searc
Zayden walked through the hallways of his mansion, his mind still clouded with irritation from the morning’s events. He was still fuming over Hema’s defiance—how she dared to challenge him, how she had tried to protect that useless servant.She will learn soon enough.But as he turned a corner, he stopped in his tracks.There, standing in the living area, was the same middle-aged servant he had fired. She was quietly folding linens, her posture tense, as if afraid she’d be discovered.His eyes darkened instantly.“You,” his voice boomed, making her flinch. “What the hell are you still doing here?”The woman gasped, quickly lowering her head. “Sir, I—”“You were fired.” Zayden’s voice was cold, filled with dangerous authority. “Did you not understand my orders?”The woman trembled, unable to form words.Before he could lash out further, another voice cut through the tension.“I hired her back.”Zayden turned sharply, his gaze locking onto Hema as she stepped forward, her expression fir
Hema descended the grand staircase, the soft fabric of her T-shirt brushing against her skin. The scent of fresh roses and burning sandalwood filled the air, but she barely noticed. Her mind was spinning, her heart pounding with unease.Her damp hair clung to her back, the strands dripping cold water onto the silk. She hadn’t bothered drying it—what was the point? Her body still ached, and her mind felt even more exhausted.Zayden, still lounging in bed, had noticed. He had watched her leave with her hair wet, a small smirk tugging at his lips. She must be too distracted to care, he thought. But he knew why. Soon, she’d learn there was no running from what he had planned for them.Hema wandered down the long hallway, pausing in front of an unfamiliar door. Something about it felt… different. It was slightly ajar, and inside, she could hear the faint sound of someone cleaning.Curious, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.Her breath caught.It was a baby’s room.The walls were
The morning sun crept through the heavy curtains of Zayden’s bedroom, casting soft golden light over the tangled sheets and the two bodies entwined in them. Hema lay still, her body aching, exhaustion pulling her deeper into slumber. She couldn’t move—partly because of the soreness and partly because Zayden’s strong arms were wrapped around her, holding her tightly even in his sleep.She felt his slow, steady breaths against the crook of her neck, his warmth surrounding her like a cage. The weight of the night before lingered on her skin, a cruel reminder of the war she was trapped in. Her fingers curled into the blanket as she swallowed the lump in her throat.Hema shifted slightly, trying to ease out of his grasp. But as soon as she moved, his grip tightened, his arm pulling her flush against his chest.A deep, satisfied hum rumbled from his throat. “Where do you think you’re going?” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep, a smirk playing on his lips.Hema stiffened. She had to get