𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬

If anyone asked me how it feels to be the youngest sibling, I'd say it's the best. You're cherished, protected, and loved with a fierceness that feels unbreakable.

But if someone asked me what it's like to have a younger sibling...

I wouldn't know because I didn't have.

At least, that's what I thought.

Until I found out about her.

My baby sister.

Today I learned of her existence, it felt like the air had been ripped from my lungs. The ground beneath me crumbled, leaving nothing but an abyss of pain.

A tiny life, one who was meant to bring joy, hope, and laughter into our family, was gone before I even knew she existed. And I—her brother—had no idea.

It's a cruel twist of fate to mourn someone you never met. To grieve a relationship you never had the chance to build. Yet, here I am, drowning in the weight of what could have been.

She should've been my little shadow. My light in the darkest moments. I should've been the one to protect her, to tease her, to teach her all the silly things that make childhood magical.

But instead, all I have is this suffocating void, a hollow space where memories of her should have been.

She was just a baby. My baby sister.

And I failed her before I even knew her.

The study felt too small, the walls closing in as I sat in silence. Across from me, Vikram Bhaiya kept his watchful gaze on me.

"Divyansh?" Vikram Bhaiya's voice broke the silence, his tone cautious. "You haven't said a word since I got here. What's going on?"

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat refusing to budge.

Before I could even try, Dad spoke, his voice heavy with an authority that left no room for argument. "Wait for the others."

Veer Bhaiya and Arjun Bhaiya were on their way. Dad had called them earlier, and now we sat in this unbearable silence, waiting for the family to gather.

Minutes passed like hours. Then the door creaked open, and Veer Bhai entered with Neha Di by his side. His usual calm demeanor faltered as he took in the somber atmosphere.

"Dad," he said cautiously, his voice laced with concern. "What's going on? Is everything okay?"

Dad simply shook his head. "We'll talk when Arjun and Kavya arrive."

Veer Bhai glanced at Neha Di, who was already reading the room, her eyes darting between Vikram Bhaiya and me. She whispered something to Vikram Bhaiya, but he only shrugged, his jaw tight.

I barely registered any of it. My mind was somewhere else—stuck on a face I'd never seen, a laugh I'd never heard, and a name that was never spoken.

Another creak of the door. Arjun Bhaiya and Kavya Di stepped in, their expressions shifting from surprise to concern as they saw us all gathered.

"Dad?" Arjun Bhaiya's voice was low, steady, but there was an edge of tension. "What's going on?"

Dad sighed deeply, running a hand over his face. "It's time to tell them the truth."

That's when I noticed it.

Arjun Bhaiya's face.

He knew.

"You knew?" The words escaped my lips, trembling and barely audible.

He held my gaze for a long moment before giving a small, solemn nod. "Yes," he admitted quietly, others still confused.

My heart twisted. My oldest brother—the man who had guided me, protected me—knew all this time and said nothing.

Dad began to speak turning to everyone, his voice heavy with emotion. "What I'm about to share will change everything you know about our family."

Rajendra glanced at Neha and Kavya, his expression heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. "As you both are soon to be part of this family, so both of you should know everything," he said quietly.

Both women nodded, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Rajendra took a deep breath, his voice grave. "What do you think drove your mother to leave us?"

The question sent a palpable tension through the room. All the brothers visibly stiffened—except Divyansh, who frowned and answered immediately, "Because you and her brother had some conflict, and it caused a rift in your marriage."

Veer clenched his fists at Divyansh's response, guilt flashing across his face.

Rajendra shook his head slowly. "Yes, that was part of it. But there's more."

Before he could elaborate, Veer abruptly stood up, his voice trembling with barely contained emotion. "I'm sorry, Dad. I'm so sorry."

Everyone turned to him, confused and alarmed.

Veer continued, his words rushing out like a dam breaking. "I know—I know it was my fault. I was the reason she left. When I was in a coma for eight months, she was so stressed because of me... it caused her to deliver your youngest child early." His voice cracked, and he struggled to continue. "The baby... she was premature and didn't survive."

Silence engulfed the room, each word sinking in like a knife.

Veer's voice broke as tears streamed down his face. "Mom always wanted a baby girl. And when she finally had one... she lost her because of me. I killed her. That's why Mom went into depression and left us. I—I'm sorry, Dad. I'm sorry for killing my sister—"

Before he could finish, Vikram surged forward, his fist connecting with Veer's jaw in a brutal punch.

"Shut up!" Vikram roared, his voice shaking with fury and pain. "When you don't know the full truth, don't you dare open your damn mouth!"

The force of the blow sent Veer staggering, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the anguish in his heart. He stared at Vikram, his eyes wide with shock and devastation.

Rajendra and Arjun froze, their expressions mirroring disbelief and horror. Kavya's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears. Neha sat stunned, her mind racing to process the bombshell revelation.

Divyansh was motionless, his heart pounding. Another brother who knew. Another piece of the family shattered by a truth they were never meant to carry alone.

"You knew?" Rajendra finally spoke, his voice hoarse, addressing Veer. "You already knew about the baby?"

Veer nodded weakly, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I came to know when I came back to India during studies. I didn't know the full 온라인카지노게임... but I get the records from hospital and..."

Rajendra's eyes closed in pain as he struggled to steady his breathing. "And you thought it was your fault? Veer... no." His voice cracked. "It wasn't your fault. It was never your fault."

"But—" Veer began, his voice thick with emotion, only for Rajendra to cut him off sharply.

"Who filled this filth in your head, Veer?" Rajendra demanded, his tone a rare mix of anger and pain.

Veer hesitated before answering quietly, "Mother's brother... Mama. He told me it's my fault she died"

Arjun's jaw clenched, and his voice rang with finality. "Veer, listen to me. This is the first and last time I'm saying this: it wasn't your fault. Never, okay? You'll understand once you hear everything."

Vikram, his glare icy and unyielding, stepped forward. "I'll punch you if you ever dare guilt yourself over this again," he growled. "And you didn't killed our baby sister get this because I know how she died."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Divyansh felt like the air had been knocked out of him. Another revelation. Another brother who had known. His hands trembled as the cracks in his heart deepened. Why? he thought bitterly. Why did they all know? Why not me?

His voice, though shaky, carried an edge of resentment as he turned to Rajendra. "I see," he said, his eyes glistening. "Everyone knew except me. Why, Dad? Didn't I deserve to know? Didn't I deserve to at least grieve for her?" His voice broke. "Tell me. I want everything now."

Rajendra sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as he sank into the armchair. His mind swirled with the weight of a secret that had festered for years—a secret he thought was tightly held between him and Arjun.

"What kind of secret is this," Rajendra thought bitterly, "where everyone knows, but no one knows that everyone knows?"

Rajendra spoke, his voice heavy, "Now don't interrupt."

The room hung on his every word as he continued. "Yes, your mother and I drifted apart because of conflicts between her brother and me. She was already considering leaving even before the baby was born. But I couldn't—I wouldn't—let her go. Especially not after I found out she was carrying a girl. My little girl." His voice softened, eyes distant.

Neha interrupted cautiously, "But isn't it illegal in India to check the gender of the baby?"

Rajendra gave a small, tired smile. "It is. But during her third month, we were in New York for an emergency. While we were there, we had a routine check-up. When the doctor told us it was a girl..." His smile returned briefly, his eyes shining with a bittersweet memory. "It was the happiest moment of my life."

The room softened for a fleeting second, touched by the rare glimpse of joy in Rajendra's expression.

But then, the smile faded, replaced by a deep sorrow. "Everything went downhill once we returned to India. Her brother betrayed my trust. He was scamming our company, siphoning money. I exposed him, made his company bankrupt. I thought she would stand by me. She had always despised her family, but instead... she turned against me. The woman I loved, my wife, the mother of my children, my Simi, became a stranger. She wanted to leave, to divorce me, but I held on, hoping once our daughter was born, things would change."

Rajendra paused, his voice catching. "I believed... I needed to believe we could be a happy family again."

His hands shook slightly as he continued. "But everything collapsed during her seventh month. She started experiencing severe pain. Thankfully, we were already at the hospital because of Veer." His eyes flicked to Veer briefly, filled with an indescribable mix of love and sorrow. "Arjun and I rushed her into emergency delivery. Vikram stayed with Veer, and you," he said, looking at Divyansh, "You were here, safe with Dadi."

Rajendra's voice faltered, and he looked at Arjun. "Then...I..I can't... I can't say the rest."

Arjun nodded, stepping forward, his face grave. "I'll take it from here, Dad." He turned to his brothers, his voice steady but full of restrained pain.

Arjun's voice softened as he began, his usual cold demeanor giving way to raw vulnerability. "I was with Dad outside the OT when he got a call—there was an attack and a fire at one of our company's warehouses. His presence was needed immediately. But he couldn't leave. Not with Mom in surgery. And me? I was just a kid—9, maybe 10. I couldn't help him, but I could stay. So, he made the hardest choice. He left, trusting me to look after them."

He paused, his gaze distant as he relived the memory. "Our sister was born a little while later. She was so premature, so small... and when Mom lost consciousness, the doctors said she needed something familiar, something grounding, to feel safe when she woke up."

Arjun swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "I waited. I waited for Dad to come back so he could hold her first. But he didn't. And when they handed her to me... I'll never forget that moment."

He took a shaky breath, his eyes now shimmering with unshed tears. "She was so tiny. Fragile. But beautiful. Her little hands barely wrapped around my finger." He smiled, bittersweet.

"She didn't open her eyes at first, not right after delivery. But then—" Arjun's voice broke slightly, and he exhaled to steady himself. "The moment I held her, something changed. I was scared, you know? I thought, what if I wasn't enough? But as I cradled her, she opened her eyes for the first time."

His voice softened further. "Grey. Just like mine, but... more innocent. More pure. Her little grey doe eyes looked up at me, and in that moment, I knew. She was perfect."

Everyone in the room was watching him now, their own eyes wide and filled with emotion. Even Vikram, who rarely let his guard down, looked away, his fists clenched tightly. Veer's usual calm facade had cracked, his hands curled into trembling fists on his knees. Divyansh's face was pale, his lips pressed into a thin line, as though holding back his own storm of emotions. Neha and Kavya were openly crying, their hands clasped tightly together for support.

His voice broke, and he let out a shaky laugh. "I remember thinking, 'How could someone so small hold so much light?'"

He swallowed hard, his hands now gripping the edge of the desk as if to ground himself. "I remembered from some movie Mom made me watch that skin-to-skin contact helps newborns feel safe. So, I took off my shirt and held her close. And you won't believe this... she smiled. Just born, barely understanding the world, and yet, she smiled." He looked around the room, his eyes brimming with both pride and sorrow. "Even the doctors and nurses were stunned."

The room was deadly silent, the weight of his words suffocating. No one dared to speak, their collective grief hanging heavy in the air.

He closed his eyes briefly, as if trying to hold on to that fleeting happiness. "It was like hitting the jackpot. Like the universe gave me the most precious gift." 

His voice dropped to a whisper. "That's why I gave her a nickname. Shya. It was short, sweet, and... hers. My little Shya."

Arjun's voice was barely audible now. "And for a brief, fleeting moment, I thought everything would be okay. That she'd bring us all back together. But..." His shoulders shook as he fought back tears. "But life doesn't work like that, does it?"

Kavya's face was streaked with tears, her voice barely a whisper. "She didn't deserve this," she muttered, her words shaking.

Veer, who had been staring at the floor, slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes swollen and red. "Bhai..." His voice cracked under the weight of his grief. "Why didn't you ever tell us?" His whisper was full of raw emotion. "Why didn't you share this with us?"

Arjun shook his head, his own tears flowing freely now, his emotions spilling over. "Because telling you wouldn't have changed anything," he choked out. "It wouldn't bring her back. It wouldn't fix anything."

He turned his gaze slowly across the room, his eyes landing on Divyansh, whose quiet sobs spoke volumes of the pain he was carrying—pain that he could hardly comprehend, let alone express. "We thought... we thought if we kept it locked away, the pain would lessen. But it doesn't. It never does."

Divyansh's voice broke through the thick silence, hoarse and trembling. "I didn't even know she existed," he whispered, his face contorted with anguish. "I never got to hold her, never got to see her , never got to grieve for her. Why? Why did all of you know, but not me? WHY DID YOU ALL HIDE ABOUT MY SISTER FROM ME?"

Rajendra, who had been silent until now, took a slow step forward, his face lined with deep sorrow. His voice was soft but heavy with regret. "Because we wanted to protect you, Divyansh. You were just a child. You were so young... We thought if you didn't know, you wouldn't feel the pain of it. But I see now... I was wrong. I should have told you. You deserved to know her, too."

Neha's voice wavered with emotion as she spoke up, her words trembling. "But how... how did she die?"

Before anyone could answer, Veer said, his voice barely audible, "Maybe because she was born premature... she was too weak to survive..."

But before he could finish his sentence, Vikram, his face hard with fury and sorrow, intervened. His voice was cold, but it held a finality that made everyone freeze.

"Our mother killed our baby sister."

✨

Aisha walked towards her car, the click of her heels echoing in the quiet street. She said to Kartik. "Now go back. I've got things to do."

But Kartik wasn't moving. Instead, he stood there with a sheepish look on his face, almost like he was waiting for her to notice.

"That's the problem," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can't go."

Aisha halted and turned, her eyebrow arched in amusement. "Why? You wanna sleep here in the middle of the road?"

Kartik rolled his eyes, clearly frustrated. "While doing my stunt, my last two tires went flat, and there's no mechanic around who can come here quickly."

Aisha's lips curled into a sarcastic smile as she crossed her arms. "Oh, really? Poor you." 

She paused for a moment before raising an eyebrow, waiting for him to finish his pitiful excuse.

He hesitated, then sighed. "Can you give me a lift?"

Aisha's eyes narrowed as she scowled. "Go die for all I care. I'm not giving you a lift."

Kartik's face twitched at the sharpness of her response, but he persisted, his tone almost pleading. "Hey, I'm still your fiancé, remember?"

She turned on him, her glare icy. "Say that again, and I won't hesitate to cut your tongue off."

Kartik instantly took a step back, his hands raised in surrender. "Okay, no need for the threats."

Aisha smirked and stormed toward her car. "Come on, then. I'm not waiting forever."

Kartik, wide-eyed, rushed to the passenger side, scrambling into the front seat. He slammed the door shut and quickly buckled his seatbelt.

Aisha started the car with a flick of her wrist, but just as she was about to pull away, her phone buzzed. The name on the screen made her smile—Rivaan.

She answered and put the call on speakerphone. "Hey, Aisha, where are you?" Rivaan's voice came through, smooth and confident.

"Near Zedo Plaza," she replied. "What's up?"

Rivaan's voice brightened. "Great. I'm at Palm Bistro. My car's not working, and I've already sent my guards with it. Can you come pick me up?"

Aisha suppressed an eye roll. She knew exactly what Rivaan was doing—making up some lame excuse just to spend time with her.

"Fine, I'm coming," she said.

After hanging up, Aisha side-eyed Kartik, a thought crossing her mind. What would happen when Rivaan saw him next to her? Would he lose his cool? Or would Kartik be the one losing his temper first? Either way, she was about to have front-row seats to the show and she drove off.

Aisha's car came to a screeching halt in front of Palm Bistro. She barely had time to shift the gear before Rivaan was already rushing toward the car, his eyes scanning the street for any signs of trouble.

The moment he saw her, his face softened, but as soon as he reached the door and saw who was in the passenger seat, his expression changed—shock and fury blending together in a storm.

Without a word, Rivaan opened the passenger door, his gaze locking onto Kartik with an intensity that felt almost like it could burn through him.

Aisha, couldn't help but notice the growing tension between the two men. They stared at each other—silent, calculating—each unwilling to back down.

Before Aisha could break the tension, the backseat door opened with a soft creak, and none other than Aditya slid in, wearing his usual calm but intrigued expression.

"Hi, Aisha," he greeted her with a friendly nod, his eyes glancing at Kartik with evident surprise.

Rivaan, still glaring at Kartik, turned to Aisha, his tone sharp. "Tell him to leave, Aisha. Now."

Kartik, unable to stay quiet any longer, scowled at Rivaan. "Excuse you? It's my place, not yours. I'm her fiancé, Mr. Malhotra," he shot back, voice dripping with arrogance and pride.

Rivaan's smirk grew wider, though there was a glint of something darker in his eyes. "No, no, Mr. Rastogi," he said, his voice low but confident. "This is my place, and Aisha is also mine. I'm her boyfriend—and soon to be husband."

At those words, Aisha's eyes widened, and she choked slightly on her breath, her heart racing. Aditya, too, was taken aback, a surprised expression on his face.

But it was Kartik who was truly shocked, his face frozen in disbelief. His mouth opened and closed like he was trying to find words, but none came.

Aisha, still trying to recover from Rivaan's declaration, cleared her throat and regained her composure. 

Her voice was deadly calm, yet authoritative. "Kartik," she said, her eyes narrowing. "Go to the back seat. It's Rivaan's place."

Kartik's jaw clenched as he shot Rivaan one last defiant glare. Rivaan, on the other hand, smirked triumphantly, clearly enjoying the discomfort he had caused.

Kartik huffed, his temper boiling over as he angrily moved to the back seat. Every muscle in his body was tight with frustration, but he knew better than to argue any further, not when Aisha had spoken.

Rivaan wasted no time once Kartik was settled in the back. He slid into the front seat, his hand resting on the gearshift, but his focus was on Aisha.

He leaned over and, without warning, kissed her on the cheek. It was slow, deliberate—a kiss meant to make a point. 

And the point was clear: Aisha was his.

Kartik, his fists clenched, turned his head away, unwilling to show any sign of weakness, but his anger was palpable.

As Aisha shifted the car into gear, she glanced at Rivaan, her curiosity piqued. "Surprised to see you and Aditya together," she remarked, the question hanging in the air.

Rivaan, his tone cool and composed, responded, "It's business, and Aditya wanted to grab something to eat, so we're here."

Aisha nodded, digesting his explanation. But Aditya, never one to hold back, gave Kartik a pointed look.

"Why is this person with you?" he asked, clearly uncomfortable with Kartik's presence.

Aisha sighed, knowing where this was headed. Then she explains everything about her and Kartik plans

Rivaan's gaze sharpened at her words. He didn't trust Kartik, and it was evident in the way he spoke. "Fine, if it's a facade, but dare he come too close to you, Aisha," he warned, his voice low and lethal, "and I will tear him apart."

Aisha rolled her eyes, clearly used to Rivaan's protectiveness. She reached for the wheel, making a sharp turn as she dismissed his threat with a wave of her hand.

But Kartik, never one to stay silent, scoffed from the front seat. "Well, I have to stay close to her, don't I? It's part of the plan. After all, I am her fiancé. I have rights on her, you know."

Aditya raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with amusement. "Buddy, don't you think you're pushing it a little? You're testing her patience, and she's already on edge."

Kartik, noticing Aisha's glare through the rearview mirror, immediately felt the shift in her mood. She wasn't playing around. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, not wanting to push her too far.

Before he could say anything, Aisha's phone rang, startling everyone. She glanced at the screen, recognizing the name immediately. With a frustrated sigh, she answered the call, putting it on speakerphone.

"What?" she snapped, her tone heavy with irritation.

Saad's voice came through, teasing but with a hint of concern. "I saw the tracker. You're near my company. I need a lift."

Before Aisha could respond, the line went dead. He had hung up on her.

Aisha groaned, visibly annoyed. "Why does everyone need a lift today of all days?" 

Soon Aisha's car pulled up to Saad's company, her ears were already ringing from the nonstop bickering between Rivaan and Kartik. While Aditya, clearly enjoying the drama, leaned back in his seat.

The moment Aisha parked the car, the guards immediately informed Saad, and within moments, he was striding toward her vehicle.

As soon as he reached the passenger side, he opened the door, his eyes immediately narrowing as he spotted Rivaan.

Without a word, he gestured with his finger, a clear command for Rivaan to move to the back.

Rivaan, knows that he couldn't compete with Saad, silently obeyed and moved to the back seat.

Kartik, still fuming, was about to protest when Aditya quickly intervened, positioning himself between the two to prevent any bloodbath.

Saad, having taken his place in the front seat, was about to ask Rivaan something when his gaze shifted to the other two people sitting in the car with her.

The sight of them together—her ex, her fiancé, and the love of her life—hit Saad like a ton of bricks.

For a moment, his eyes narrowed, fury flickering across his face as he stared at Kartik. But then, as the absurdity of the situation fully sank in, a loud, uncontrollable laugh escaped his lips.

The three men in the car looked at him in confusion. Aisha, however, immediately understood what was going through his mind. She glanced at him with a frustration, her thoughts mirroring his. It was so obvious. Her ex, her fiancé, and her love of her life—all crammed together in a car.

Aisha quickly dropped everyone off, her heart heavy as she glanced back at Rivaan, who stood there pleading silently with his eyes, his gaze filled with desperation. He wanted her to stay, to be there with him, but Aisha knew she couldn't, she was already late to warehouse .

Once at the warehouse, Aisha handed the keys to the guards to park her car. 

Saad turned to her, his voice steady but laced with concern. "Are you sure this plan will work? What if Kartik double-crosses you?"

Aisha's response was cold and matter-of-fact, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "Then he's dead."

Saad nodded, knowing exactly what she meant. He had seen enough of Aisha's ruthless side to understand that anyone who betrayed her wouldn't survive long.

Aisha let sigh. "Guess what I got a shock from the Oberois today."

Saad raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. "What's that?"

"They had a sister," Aisha said, her words laced with a strange mixture of disbelief. "Apparently, she was born and then died.... Div was devastated when he found out, and even Uncle was too when he told him. Honestly, I was shocked too."

Saad's expression shifted to one of surprise. "What??."

Aisha nodded, her mind racing with thoughts of what could have been. "Yeah, if she had been alive, I'm sure she would have had the most loved and pampered life. I hate to admit it, but... I envy her. She got a family like them."

Saad followed her as she walked to one of the cell, his mind turning over her words. What if her real family was good? What if they were better than the life she had chosen with him? He sighed, pushing the thought away as he caught up to her.

Once inside, Aisha approached one of the men torturing the two brothers who had been involved in her Kaki's murder.

"Did they reveal the others' location?" she asked, her voice low.

The man shook his head, defiant. Aisha didn't flinch. Instead, she tilted her head toward Saad, a dark smirk playing on her lips. The brothers trembled, visibly shaken by her presence.

Aisha yanked one of the brothers by his hair, forcing him to scream in pain as she dragged him to a corner of the room. Saad followed suit, taking the other brother and pulling him to the opposite side.

Aisha's dagger gleamed in the dim light as she pressed it against the first brother's neck. "Tell me the others' location, or I'll rip your brother's head off," she threatened, her voice cold as ice.

The second brother, his fear palpable, pleaded, "You leave my brother alone, and We already told you everything! We don't know who these people are!"

Aisha's frustration was evident. She threw the dagger at him with precision, the blade embedding itself in his shoulder. "Don't act smart. I know you're all part of the same group. Tell me, or your brother is dead."

The pressure on the first brother's neck increased, making him scream in agony. "Fine! Fine, we'll tell you!" he finally cried out.

Saad and Aisha exchanged a knowing glance, both smirking. The brothers, terrified for their lives, immediately gave up the location of the rest of their group.

As the last words left their mouths, they begged, "Now leave us! We've told you everything!"

Saad's smirk widened as he replied, "Of course we will, don't worry."

Aisha, however, wasn't done yet. Her voice took on a menacing tone as she leaned in close to them. "But before that... let's have some fun."

The brothers, already pale and trembling, knew that Aisha's idea of fun was anything but pleasant.

She ordered her men to bring in a tank filled with piranhas. Without hesitation, the brothers were thrown into the tank, their screams filling the air as the piranhas began to tear at their flesh.

Aisha stood at the side, watching with cold satisfaction. "Did you two really think I'd let you go after what you did to my Kaki?" she said, her voice chilling.

Saad, sensing her growing satisfaction, pulled her into a side hug, his arm around her shoulders. "You avenged her, Aisha," he said softly, his voice full of admiration for her ruthless determination.

Aisha leaned into him, the weight of everything they had done settling around her. She muttered, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. "I did."

The cell door swung open with a loud bang, and a man rushed inside, his expression tense. "Sir, he's trying to kill himself! He's banging his head against the wall!" His voice was laced with urgency.

Without another word, Saad turned and sprinted toward the sound, his heart racing.

Aisha, startled by the sudden rush, quickly followed him, her mind already racing with possibilities.

She entered the dimly lit room to see Saad dealing with a man who appeared to be in a frenzy.

He was disheveled, blood trickling down his face from the repeated blows he had inflicted upon himself.

But what caught Aisha's attention wasn't the state of the man, but his eyes—the moment they met hers, a chilling smile spread across his face. He straightened, his demeanor shifting from chaotic to unnervingly calm.

"Ah, there you are... finally," he slurred, his voice dripping with a sickening blend of excitement and obsession. "You... you don't know how long I've been waiting for you, darling. You're the prize at the end of my game... the money will be mine, and then, you'll be mine too."

He leaned forward, his eyes flicking up and down her body as if he were already undressing her with his gaze. "Oh, Jaaneman, I'll break you in ways you'll never forget. Come here, and let me show you what real power feels like... when I own you."

Aisha her blood running cold at his words. Her stomach churned as she processed the sickening tone of his voice.

Before she could fully process what was happening, Saad's fist came down with a heavy thud, knocking the man unconscious.

Aisha stepped forward, her brow furrowing. "Who is he?" she asked, her tone fierce. There was no way this was just a random prisoner. There was something more to it.

Saad paused for a moment, looking at the man lying motionless on the floor, his face hardening. "No one important, don't worry about it," he said, brushing off her question.

Aisha's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "Really? That guy acts like a psycho, and you expect me to believe he's no one? Bhai, you know I will do anything to find out who he is. Don't test me."

Saad sighed as they walked towards Aisha's cabin. "Fine," he began. "A few months after you settled in Mumbai, the guards noticed some people stalking you. I captured a few, but it turned out they were part of a group—50 in total. Apparently, some woman placed a bounty on you. These people aren't just petty criminals; we're talking thieves, thugs, rapists—the worst of the worst. Now, only 10 are left. I've taken down most of them, except one who was killed by the Oberois and Rivaan. Remember that officer who dragged you and your friends away? That was him."

They reached her cabin and Aisha's face paled. "Isn't my past mess enough? And now this?" She pressed her palms to her face, trying to suppress the tremor in her hands, but her body betrayed her.

She began shaking visibly, her breaths quick and shallow.

Saad frowned. "Aisha, are you okay?"

She stumbled towards her desk, frantically searching through her bag. "I... I forgot... to... take.. my pills," she gasped, her voice trembling.

Saad's heart dropped. He grabbed the pill bottle from her bag, shaking it. Empty. 

"Shit, Aisha! It's empty!" he yelled, his voice rising with panic.

Aisha slid down against the wall, her hand clutching her chest. "The drawer..." she whispered between gasps. "Check the drawer."

Saad pulled open the drawer, tossing its contents onto the desk. 

"Nothing! You forgot to restock!" he shouted, his fear spilling over.

Aisha's face twisted in pain as she clutched her chest harder. "Bhai, it hurts! I... can't... breathe!" she gasped, her voice breaking with every word. 

Tears streamed down her face as she screamed in agony, her body convulsing slightly.

Saad dropped to his knees beside her, wrapping his arms around her. "Aisha, breathe! Just breathe with me!" he said, his voice steady despite the panic in his eyes.

He tried everything—soothing words, rubbing her back, but her gasps grew weaker, her body losing its fight.

"Stay with me, Aisha!" Saad shouted, his grip tightening around her as she collapsed in his arms, her eyes fluttering shut.

"No, no, no," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Aisha!"

✨

Veer and Divyansh stood abruptly, their faces pale and stricken. Veer's voice cracked as he asked, "What do you mean... Mom killed her?"

Vikram inhaled sharply, his gaze dropping to the floor. His hands clenched at his sides.

Rajendra's voice trembled, laced with unspoken pain. "Vikram... how do you know?"

Vikram lifted his eyes, red and glassy, locking with his father's. "Because I saw it," he said hoarsely. His voice was barely audible, but the weight of his words fell like a sledgehammer. "I saw her. I was just a kid, but I remember it all too clearly. You and Bhaiya... you were begging her, pleading for our baby sister's life. But she didn't care. She took a scalpel and..." His voice broke. "She held it to her tiny neck."

The room fell deathly silent, save for Vikram's shallow breaths.

Veer stumbled back, shaking his head. "No..." he whispered.

Neha clapped her hand over her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

Divyansh's fists trembled as he fought the urge to scream.

Rajendra and Arjun stood frozen, their eyes closed tightly, reliving the nightmare.

Vikram choked on a sob. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I was a coward. I didn't do anything. I ran to Veer's room and hid, clinging to him like a scared little boy. I should have done something, but I didn't."

Rajendra moved toward him, pulling Vikram into his arms. "No, beta," he said, his voice breaking. "You were just a child. It was never your fault."

Veer's voice shook with rage and grief. "I can't believe this. I can't believe she could do something so monstrous."

"She doesn't even deserve to be called a mother," Divyansh spat, his eyes blazing with fury.

Arjun, who had remained eerily quiet, finally spoke. His voice was low, almost detached. "But that's not how Shya died."

Everyone turned to him, their faces a mix of confusion and dread. "What are you talking about?" Veer asked.

Arjun's voice trembled slightly, the weight of the memory pulling him back to that haunting day. "Yeah, it's true," he began, his eyes distant as he recounted the events. "Before Dad could arrive, Mother regained consciousness. I went into her room, and when she saw the baby, she smiled. Back then, I still trusted her... still loved her. So, when she asked to hold the baby, I didn't think twice. I handed her over."

He paused, his jaw tightening as he clenched his fists. "Dad came in not long after. I expected him to be happy, to smile at the sight of his daughter. And for a moment, his eyes softened as he looked at her. But then... his expression changed. Fury took over. He saw Mother holding Shya and immediately demanded she hand over the baby."

Arjun's voice grew heavier, filled with regret. "That's when Mother realized... Dad knew. He knew she was planning to run. Suddenly, she stood up, grabbing a scalpel from the bedside table. She pressed it against her neck and warned us to stay back. She... she used Shya as a shield."

Everyone's breath hitched, their eyes wide as they listened.

"We begged her to stop," Arjun continued, his voice cracking. "She didn't listen. She ran out of the room, holding Shya close. We chased her through the corridors, down the stairwell... desperate to save her. But she was determined. She got into a car, and we followed, but... we couldn't stop her. She drove recklessly, taking us to the edge of a cliff."

Arjun's hands trembled as he recounted the final moments. "We thought she'd stop. We thought there was still a chance. But... she didn't. She drove off somewhere... after throwing Shya from the cliff." His voice broke, a single tear slipping down his cheek. "And just like that... she was gone."

Divyansh's knees gave out, and he collapsed into a couch, his face buried in his hands.

Veer staggered backward, his breath hitching as tears streamed down his face. 

"She... threw her?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Rajendra's eyes glistened as he nodded solemnly. "We searched for days, hoping, praying. But we never found her body. But now I believed there's a chance."

"A chance?" Divyansh asked, his voice raw. "What do you mean?"

Rajendra hesitated before saying, "There's a girl I suspect might be my daughter. I've been trying to piece it together for a while now."

Before anyone could press further, Neha's phone rang.

She quickly answered, "Yes, Saad?" Her face blanched as she listened, panic flooding her features.

"What?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Fine, Saad. I'll be there. I'm bringing Veer."

Kavya grabbed Neha's arm, her voice shaking. "What happened?"

Neha looked at them, her eyes wide with fear. "It's Aisha," she said, barely above a whisper. "She had a severe panic attack... she collapsed."

Without another word, they all rushed out, their hearts pounding with dread, fear clinging to them like a dark shadow.

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