Next morning, Ishaal tried to act normal.She taught her music students, smiled where she had to, pretended sleep had visited her last night. It hadn't.Every sound felt louder since that video.Every shadow looked like it might move.
By sunset, she was alone in her studio again, just her, the piano, and that eerie quiet Raabistan is famous for.
She was halfway through a new composition when the lights flickered.Once. Twice.Then a soft knock at the door.
She froze.
"Who is it?"
No answer.Just another knock, slower this time.
Her phone buzzed on the table, an unknown number again.Message:
He can't save you tonight.
Her heart jumped.She ran to the door, locked it, backed away, and then her phone rang.
Rayyan.
She picked it up with trembling hands. "Rayyan—"
"Stay where you are," he cut in. His voice wasn't calm now — it was sharp, cold, dangerous. "I'm two minutes away."
"How do you even..."
"I put a tracker in your bag. You can hate me later. Right now, don't move."
Before she could respond, glass shattered somewhere outside.The piano wire hummed as if the room itself had stopped breathing.
Then the door slammed open.
Rayyan walked in first, gun drawn, guards behind him.The intruder was already gone, but the window was cracked open, curtains flapping.
He scanned the room, jaw tight. "They're getting bold."
Ishaal's voice shook. "You.... you tracked me?"
He turned, eyes dark but steady. "If I hadn't, you'd be dead by now."
"You can't control my life, Rayyan!""I'm not controlling it," he said quietly. "I'm keeping it alive."
Silence. Just her heavy breathing, his cold stare, and the city screaming somewhere far below.
Then he stepped closer, almost whispering...
"You think I like this? That I enjoy knowing you're in danger? I don't. But if the choice is between your freedom and your heartbeat…""I'll chain you before I lose you."
Her eyes widened. His tone was calm, too calm, and that scared her more than the broken window.