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“I’m not trying to control you,” I say finally, my voice softer now. “But seeing you with someone else, even if it’s just business—it messes with my head.”

Her expression softens, and for the first time since our argument began, she steps closer, her hand resting lightly on my chest.

“Vishnu, I’m not with anyone else. I haven’t been, and I never will be. You’re the only one in my life. But you need to trust me.”

Trust?It’s something I’ve struggled with ever since I found out about Veer, ever since I realised how much she’d hidden from me.

I feel her delicate fingers slowly withdrawing from my chest, probably realising how difficult it is for me to put my trust in her. Without thinking, I capture her wrists before they slip away, firmly bringing them back to rest over my thundering heart. The warmth of her skin against mine is both comforting and consuming. Simran’s eyes meet mine, those expressive orbs filled with a storm of emotions that mirror the chaos in my own mind.

“Listen carefully,” I say, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Personal or professional, if I see any man crossing the line when it comes to you, I will react the same way I did today.” The possessiveness in my tone surprises even me, but I can’t—won’t—take it back. “I don’t care if it’s normal in your world. This is who I am, and I can’t just change overnight—not easily, and definitely not so soon. So get used to it.”

I watch as fury blazes across her face, her features hardening with each word I speak. Behind her, I catch Abhay’s eye and signal for him to bring the car around. We need to end this conversation now before it combusts.

“We need to co-exist,” Simran bites out, her jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscle jumping. “Which means if I’m willing to step back from certain things you don’t like... so should you.”

Our gazes lock, and before I can respond, my phone rings. Ayaan’s name flashes on the screen. I can’t afford to miss this call. Just then, the car pulls up beside us. I reach for the back door and hold it open for Simran. She hesitates before sliding in, her movements stiff with anger. She clearly expects us to continue this argument during our ride home, but instead of joining her, I close the door—perhaps a bit harder than necessary.

“Take her home,” I instruct Abhay before turning to Simran and shooting her one last pointed glare through the window. The message is clear: this discussion is over from my end.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

His gloved fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel as he watched Vishnu usher Simran into her car, sending her away with her guards.

Parked in the shadows near the Italian restaurant, he had been observing the heated exchange between Vishnu and Simran—the unmistakable clash of power between them. There’s something delicious about watching their relationship strain. For a fleeting moment, the thought had crossed his mind:End this now.

How easy it would be to start the engine, slam his foot on the accelerator, and let the roaring vehicle be the weapon that silences her once and for all. She was standing in just the right spot, vulnerable and exposed… her life in the direct line of his control.

But then, he stopped himself. Where’s the fun in that? A simple hit-and-run? A quick death? Too easy. No, that wasn’t his style. The real thrill lies in the game. The planning, the suspense, the fear—letting his prey know they are being hunted but never allowing them to predict his next move. The fun part was watching fear slowly poison every aspect of their lives.

Now, as Vishnu turned away, heading towards his own car, he slowly reached up and peeled the white joker mask from his face, tossing it carelessly onto the front passenger seat. A low, sinister laugh escaped his lips as he turned his key in the ignition.

The engine purrs to life, its hum barely louder than a whisper. He waits for the perfect moment before pulling the car from its hiding spot and merging seamlessly into the night traffic.

Vishnu may be her protector, her shadow, but even shadows have their blind spots.

He lets out a wicked laugh. The game has only just begun!

VISHNU

I pick up Ayaan’s call as I walk back to my Raptor, my mind still reeling from what happened at that disastrous dinner meeting.

“Hey, brother-in-law,” Ayaan greets me warmly. “How’s New York treating you?”

“Could be better,” I reply dryly, settling into the driver’s seat. “Though I have a feeling you already know why.”

“Yeah…” Ayaan’s tone sobers. “We got to know about Simran and... Veer. It’s really shocking, Vishnu. I mean, I can’t even imagine what you are going through.”

I remain silent and start the engine. Two years ago, I wouldn’t have believed I’d be having this heart-to-heart with Ayaan, of all people. Our fathers, once inseparable friends, had become bitter enemies, and their rivalry was seemingly beyond repair. Yet here we are, proof that life has a way of mending even the most fractured relationships. Now our fathers are best friends again, and Ayaan... well, he’s family.

“When your dad got back from New York,” Ayaan continues, his voice carrying a note of concern that was once unthinkable between us, “he told us everything. Meher... she’s taking it hard. You know how protective she is about her brothers. To her, you and Aksh are practically made of glass.”

“I was going to tell her myself, but—” I begin, but Ayaan cuts me off.

“No, no. She’s not upset about that. She’s hurting because her stoic, always-in-control big brother got blindsided like this. And that too by Simran, her best friend, of all people. None of us saw that coming.” His voice softens. “She wants to call you, but you know Meher—she’s stuck in her classic overthinking spiral—wondering how to cheer up her Superman of a brother.”

“I know,” I sigh heavily, manoeuvring the car through a turn. The streetlights cast fleeting shadows that dance across the dashboard. “I’ll call her and speak to her soon.”

“You better,” he says, then pauses. “But seriously, are you okay? And don’t give me that‘I’m fine’nonsense.”