Ranveer took long strides, reaching Chirag in just two steps. Kaveri shut her eyes tightly—she had been scared of him before, and his loud voice only added fuel to the fire.

Chirag's body trembled slightly upon seeing the fury burning in Ranveer's eyes. He knew very well what Ranveer was capable of.

Ranveer looked around and saw everyone watching them. He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down before turning back to Chirag.

Kaveri clung tightly to the chair's handle, her fingers white from the grip.

Ranveer flashed a tight, forced smile at Chirag, who was already drenched in sweat.

"You're spoiling the lehenga with your filthy foot," he said through gritted teeth, pointing to the floor. Chirag's foot was on the edge of the lehenga.

"Move aside," Ranveer said, firm and cold. Chirag nodded and quickly stepped back.

Ranveer knelt in front of Kaveri, gently lifting the hem of her lehenga and wiping the dust from it.

So... he's worried about the lehenga? Kaveri thought bitterly, pulling back.

She quickly turned and paced away, climbing the stairs.

Ranveer swallowed hard, feeling a lump rise in his throat. Something about her unusual behavior didn't sit right with him. He glanced around once and then followed her—he needed to talk to her.

Kaveri rushed into the room just as her phone vibrated again.

"Nikhil," she whispered, a tearful smile tugging at her lips. She was about to answer when the door swung open, startling her, making her phone slip from her hand.

Ranveer stood at the doorway, staring at her. Kaveri trembled under his gaze.

He's a murderer, her mind screamed as she squeezed her eyes shut.

The room suddenly felt too small, suffocating, as Ranveer stepped closer.

"Ka–"

"Please... please," she whispered, stepping back, her voice broken as fresh tears spilled from her eyes.

If you give or not, he will take what he believes he has a right to...

Chirag's words echoed like ghosts in her mind.

Ranveer's chest tightened at the sight of her tears. He took a small step forward, but she immediately stumbled back, pressing herself against the wall as if her life depended on it.

Ranveer's heart burned in wild fire. He turned around and walked out, angry at himself—for failing to give her the comfort and safety she deserved.

He slammed the door behind him, the force hurting his own hand. The sound made Kaveri flinch violently. She lost the last ounce of strength in her body and dropped to her knees, tears finally bursting free.

She sobbed into her hands, muffling her pain.

"Kaveri!!" Nisha rushed in, dropping beside her. Kaveri looked up through tear-filled eyes, seeing tears rolling down Nisha's cheeks too.

She threw her arms around her friend. There was nothing to hide from her. "He... he's a murderer," Kaveri stammered between sobs. "Karan will definitely try to stop this wedding and... what if Ranveer kills him too?" Her eyes widened in terror.

"Kaveri, nothing like that will happen," Nisha said firmly, wiping her tears.

"No, Nisha! Karan will never let anything wrong happen to me. And Ranveer—" her voice shook with pain and rage, "That person he killed wasn't the first... and he won't be the last!"

Kaveri hissed, her teeth clenched.

"I don't want to marry a man who will fill my hair partition with blood still on his fingers," she whispered, shaking her head.

"What should I do now?" she cried, grabbing her hair in frustration, everything closing in on her like a trap.

Nisha hugged her tightly, holding back her own tears.

"Run away, Kaveri," she said, her voice steady and determined. Kaveri froze. Her tear-filled eyes met Nisha's firm expression.

For a moment, only one face flashed before her eyes—her father's. "But... Papa," she whispered, conflicted.

"I'll find a way to explain it to him later. But you don't deserve this life, this pain," Nisha said softly, wiping her tears and Kaveri's.

Kaveri felt torn between her responsibilities and her own happiness. "Think about it—if you're not happy, can your father truly be happy?" Nisha asked.

Beta, being sad now is better than spoiling your whole life.

Her father's past words echoed in her mind like a warning. She fought with her brain and heart the entire night. Her phone vibrated again.

"Nikhil," she exhaled deeply and answered.

Silence. Both ends were silent.

Her heart twisted with guilt—she had completely forgotten Nikhil since that incident. He was her younger brother, the one who always relied on her because he was scared of Karan.

"Nikhil... won't you talk to me?" she whispered.

"Six months, Di. It took you six months to call me," Nikhil said, sobbing. Her heart clenched.

"Nikhil..." she whispered. She had no explanation. No justification.

"I don't know what happened, or whose fault it was. But if the problem was with Karan bhai, then why didn't you talk to me?" Nikhil's voice cracked.

"I'm sorry," she whispered again, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Nikhil remained silent, trying to stay strong. "How are you?" Kaveri asked, sensing his hesitation.

Nikhil hummed quietly, glancing at the person sitting beside him with a painful smile. "And... Karan?" Kaveri whispered. Her heart screamed that she didn't even deserve to say his name.

Nikhil looked at Karan, who had been silently listening to the entire conversation. "I think you already know the answer," Nikhil said softly.

Guilt stabbed deeper into Kaveri's chest. "Nikhil... I want to talk to Karan," she whispered, wiping her tears.

Karan immediately shook his head. "Wo... bhai isn't home," Nikhil said, voice low, reluctant to lie. Kaveri, who knew Karan was nearby, chose not to push. "Oh... okay," she said, forcing a painful smile.

"I'll make sure he talks to you later," Nikhil reassured. "I don't expect him to talk to me... not after what I did to him," Kaveri said before disconnecting the call.

Nikhil threw his phone onto the bed, glaring at Karan whose eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Bhai! She was crying... and you still didn't want to talk to her?" Nikhil lashed out.

Karan was lost in thought.

"She's in pain, Nikhil. I don't know what happened... but I have to talk to him," he muttered, grabbing his phone and walking out, ignoring Nikhil's protests.

🤍ྀི

The soft morning light filled the Aggarwal house as Kaveri's father sat with his wife, sipping tea peacefully. Chirag sat with a frown, focused on his laptop, while Nisha anxiously glanced at the staircase every few seconds. Her eyes were rimmed with dark circles, a clear sign she hadn't slept all night.

Relief washed over Nisha as she saw Kaveri descending the stairs—her bags packed and shoulders stiff with determination. Kaveri took a deep breath, trying to gather herself before stepping down.

"Keep these in the car," she instructed one of the servants. Everyone turned toward her, confused. "Beta, what's going on?" her father asked gently.

"Papa... I got a call from my office last night. There's an urgent issue. I have to go," Kaveri replied as calmly as she could.

"For office work, why do you need luggage?" Chirag snapped, suspicion lacing his voice.

Kaveri's fists clenched at her sides. "I'm not talking about AG Groups. I'm talking about Nexplore—my own company," she replied, her voice sharper than she intended.

Chirag's brows drew together in anger, but before he could speak again, Kaveri turned to her parents. "Papa, I'll return before the wedding," she said, trying to keep her expression neutral.

"You're not going anywhere," Chirag interjected sternly. "She said it's urgent, let her go," her father said, silencing Chirag with a firm tone. "You go, beta," he added gently, brushing Kaveri's hair back with affection.

Kaveri gave a small nod, blinking back tears. She leaned in and hugged both her parents tightly, the sudden gesture leaving them surprised and emotional. Turning to Nisha, she softly cupped her cheek.

"Take care," she whispered. Nisha nodded silently, her lips trembling.

Kaveri stepped out of the house, but not before casting a cold glare at Chirag. Her expression alone was enough to rouse his suspicions. Once inside the car, Kaveri finally exhaled the breath she'd been holding, as if she had just crossed a dangerous line.

Back inside, Chirag ran a hand through his hair, pacing in frustration. Something felt off. Everything about Kaveri's actions only added to his doubts. Without wasting a second, he rushed upstairs and barged into her room.

He yanked open her cupboard, rummaged through it wildly, and then found what he was looking for. His fingers trembled as he opened the file. The moment he read its contents, his eyes flared with fury. With a snarl, he slammed the file shut.

"Nisha!!" he roared, storming through the corridors. "NISHA!!"

Nisha, arranging items on the vanity, froze at the violent sound of the door slamming open. "Chirag ji—" she barely got the words out before he lunged forward and grabbed her throat, slamming her against the mirror.

"W–what are you doing!?" she gasped, trying to breathe. "I told you not to tell anyone what I said last night!" Chirag growled, his nails digging into her skin.

"I... I didn't tell anyone, I swear!" Nisha stammered, her eyes wide with fear. "Oh really?" he seethed. "Then where is Kaveri going?"

"She... she said she's going to the office," Nisha whispered in a broken voice. Chirag finally let go of her throat. She coughed and rubbed her neck, tears slipping down her cheeks. But before she could recover, he twisted her wrist violently, making her cry out in pain.

"Without the office file? Then where the hell is she going?!" he shouted, slamming the very file she was missing in front of her face.

Nisha's heart pounded in terror. The truth was out. They were caught. "You'll pay for this, Kaveri!" Chirag bellowed, eyes blazing and fists clenched in rage.

Chirag paced restlessly around the room, his chest tightening with every passing second. Panic gnawed at his nerves. "If Kaveri's gone... and if Ranveer finds out I'm the reason—he'll kill me," he whispered, voice trembling with dread. "No! I need to get her back. I have to." He rushed downstairs, dialing the number of the driver taking Kaveri to the airport.

Kaveri chewed her lip nervously, stuck in traffic for the past fifteen minutes. Her anxious eyes kept darting to the flight tracking app on her phone.

Just then, her phone rang. Nisha's name flashed on the screen. "Hello—" she started, but Nisha's urgent voice cut her off. "Kaveri, listen to me carefully. Leave the city right now."

"What? Why? Nisha, what happened?" Kaveri's heart skipped a beat. "Chirag... he knows the truth." Nisha's voice cracked with fear. "He's coming after you. For now, your dad has him tied up with some work, but it won't hold him for long. Please, be careful."

Kaveri's gaze shot to the driver's phone, which was buzzing with a call from Chirag.

"I'll call you later," Kaveri muttered, disconnecting quickly. "Uncle," she called out gently before the driver could pick up, "from here, I'll drive. You can return."

"But beta—" the elderly man started, confused. "Please, uncle. I'll manage from here," she insisted with a tight smile.

He sighed and stepped out of the car. "Be safe, beta," he said sincerely. "I'm sorry, uncle, for leaving you midway," she added softly. "No worries. It's just a short walk back. I'll manage," he assured with a warm smile.

Kaveri exhaled sharply and climbed into the driver's seat. Her hands trembled as she gripped the steering wheel. She forced herself to stay calm, then accelerated—heading in the opposite direction of the airport. She knew by now that Chirag must have figured out her plan to flee to Canada.

She drove randomly, heart pounding louder with each turn.

Suddenly, a car swerved in front of hers. Her eyes widened. She slammed the brakes, the seatbelt jerking her back roughly. Her head jolted forward. Pain shot through her neck and shoulder.

Her vision blurred slightly. As she steadied herself, her eyes caught sight of him.

Chirag.

He stepped out of his car, rolling up his sleeves, face contorted in fury.

"COME OUT!" he shouted, slamming a hand on the car hood. The sound made her jolt.

"Don't test my patience, Kaveri!" he bellowed, yanking at the door.

Clutching her purse tightly, Kaveri opened the door. Chirag seized her by the hair, dragging her out.

"Chirag!" she screamed, trying to break free. "You bitch! How dare you go behind my back?" he snarled, tightening his grip.

"You fucking bastard! You don't deserve to talk about betrayal," she hissed, slipping her hand into her purse slowly. "How did you find me?" she asked, trying to divert him.

He chuckled darkly. "Did you really think I'm that stupid?" He yanked her hair harder. "When I plan something big, I prepare for everything. I installed a tracker in the car." His grip moved to her wrist, twisting it cruelly. "And when I called the driver, he told me you were alone."

Kaveri gritted her teeth, then suddenly lifted her knee and kicked him hard in the groin. He staggered back in pain. Without wasting a second, she yanked out her pepper spray and sprayed it into his eyes.

Chirag's screams echoed in the desolate road.

Kaveri didn't wait—she ran.

She darted into the nearby forest, the sound of her heartbeat almost drowning out her footsteps. Each step sent a bolt of pain through her knee. She didn't stop.

She looked back—Chirag was limping after her, still recovering, but he was coming.

She stumbled on a thick tree root protruding from the ground and fell hard. Pain shot through her knee again as she gasped. But before she could get up—

Chirag was there.

He grabbed her hair again. She screamed, punching at his arm. But he slammed her head against the bark of a tree. A sharp sting surged through her skull.

"You have two choices," he said coldly, gripping her jaw. "Either come back, shut up, and marry Ranveer—"

He paused, his voice turning venomous. "Or die here, in this forest."

He shoved her to the ground.

"Don't worry," he sneered. "I won't torture you like your fiancé tortures others. I'll make it a quick death, my dear sister." He laughed cruelly while glancing around for something to use.

Kaveri's fists clenched around the dirt and leaves.

As he stepped closer, she threw a handful of sand into his eyes. Chirag screamed again, clawing at his face.

"You bitch!" he roared. Kaveri didn't flinch. She twisted his arm the same way he had done to her earlier.

"Never raise your voice at me again. I'm not your fucking servant," she spat, shoving him to the ground.

Chirag writhed on the forest floor, groaning. Kaveri's strength began to fade—her vision swayed.

But she forced herself up and ran, clutching her phone and bag close. Her head throbbed, blood pumping in her ears.

Her phone vibrated.

Karan.

A tear rolled down her cheek as she quickly answered. "Kaveri," Karan's voice came through gently.

"Karan..." she whispered, a small sob escaping.

"Hello? Kaveri?" His tone turned urgent. "What happened?"

"Chirag... he's trying to kill me," she gulped, quickening her pace.

Karan froze, his blood running cold. Then, without hesitation, he stood and rushed out of the house.

"Kaveri? Where are you?" he asked breathlessly.

"I don't know... it looks like a forest," she stammered. Her breath hitched as the sound of footsteps approached again. "He hit my head... it's hurting a lot, I-I can't run much longer."

"Kaveri—"

The line went dead..

Karan shouted in frustration, "How could he hit her on the head? Doesn't he know she already had surgery—and she's still recovering?" He ran a shaky hand through his hair, his voice filled with panic and rage.

"Bhai!" Nikhil called out, stepping closer.

"I'll explain everything later," Karan snapped, swinging open his car door. His voice dropped into a bitter whisper. "What the hell was he doing if this is what she's going through? He promised me... he promised he'd protect her."

He slammed the door shut and started the engine, gripping the steering wheel with one hand while furiously dialing Kaveri's number with the other.

—

Meanwhile, Kaveri's legs kept moving, her energy fading with every step. The sound of vehicles in the distance gave her hope. She swallowed hard, trying to wet her parched throat as she reached an empty road, panting and trembling.

She clutched her bleeding knee, her breaths shallow. A car horn blared suddenly, making her flinch. Her eyes widened when she spotted a car heading in her direction.

A weak smile flickered across her lips, only to vanish when doubt crept in. Who drives through a deserted road like this? But the fear tightening her chest silenced the warning bells in her mind.

Desperately, she waved her hand for help, assuming the driver might ignore her—but to her relief, the car slowed to a stop.

She stumbled toward the vehicle, wiping her tears, her eyes scanning the man dressed in black. He wore a cap, hiding most of his face, but something about him reminded her of the masked man she'd seen the day before her engagement.

"Sir... sir, please," she begged, clinging to the car door, glancing over her shoulder. "Someone is trying to kill me."

"Please," she whispered again.

The man silently opened the passenger door, gesturing for her to get in. She quickly climbed inside. "Thank you... thank you so much," she murmured, trying to catch her breath. Her eyes flicked to the side mirror—and there he was.

Chirag.

His furious, twisted face appeared for just a second before fading into the distance as the car drove off. She let out a shaky breath.

Silence settled inside the vehicle. Exhausted, her body bruised and battered, Kaveri leaned her head against the seat and drifted into unconsciousness.

The man's gaze dropped to her fragile figure. His jaw tightened as his eyes moved to the blood staining her neck. Slowly, his trembling hand reached out, brushing a few strands of hair aside to reveal the wound.

He exhaled deeply, pulled out a syringe, and injected something gently into the side of her neck. Then, he fastened her seatbelt, making sure she was secured safely.

As the car resumed its smooth pace, Kaveri's phone rang again. He ignored it at first. But when it rang again and again, he finally reached over and answered.

"Kaveri!" Karan's voice rang out, tight with anxiety and urgency. The man stayed silent for a beat, eyes fixed on the road.

"Hello?" Karan repeated. "This is my sister's phone. Where is she?"

No answer.

"I asked, where is she? Who are you?" Karan demanded, trying to stay calm but shaking with worry.

"Chill, man. Take a breath," the stranger replied casually, clearly enjoying the moment.

Karan's anger erupted. "I'm asking you if my sister is okay, and you're telling me to chill? Do you have any idea what's happening?!"

"Uffo," the man sighed. "Do you have blood pressure problems or what?" he teased, pressing a finger to his ear in mock irritation.

Karan's grip tightened on the wheel, veins bulging. "Are you out of your damn mind? Who the fuck are you?!"

"I'll give you a clue," the man said, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. "Try to guess."

Karan stayed silent, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

"I'm the name hidden in your sister's mehendi," he said with a smirk. Karan's eyes flickered, something snapping in his expression.

"Who?" he whispered carefully.

"Vihaan Ranveer Rawal," the stranger revealed, his voice calm and assured.

Karan slammed the brakes, the tires screeching.

"Vihaan..." he whispered, a mix of shock and relief washing over him.