The mansion felt tense.
Like something was slowly falling apart.
Anaya avoided Kabir the whole day.
Not because she wanted to…
But because her heart felt heavy.
Every time she saw Riya…
A strange fear grew inside her.
Riya was confident.
Beautiful.
Strong.
Everything Anaya thought she wasn't.
"Maybe… she fits his world better…"
That thought hurt the most.
Meanwhile—
Riya stood on the balcony.
A small smirk on her lips.
"Still insecure?" she said softly.
Anaya turned.
Confused.
Riya walked closer.
"You really think Kabir can love someone like you?" she said calmly.
Anaya's heart clenched.
"He lived in darkness his whole life," Riya continued.
"I was there when he built his world…"
Her voice turned sharper.
"You're just a phase."
Silence.
Anaya felt tears in her eyes.
But she didn't let them fall.
"You're lying…" she said softly.
Riya smiled.
"Am I?"
She stepped even closer.
"Do you know why our engagement broke?" she whispered.
Anaya's breath stopped.
"Because Kabir chose his dangerous world over me."
Her eyes darkened.
"And now… he'll do the same to you."
Anaya stepped back slowly.
Her heart…
Was breaking again.
Later that evening—
Kabir returned home.
His eyes searched for one person.
"Where is Anaya?" he asked.
But before anyone could answer—
Riya spoke.
"She went out."
Kabir frowned.
"At this hour?"
Riya shrugged.
"She looked upset."
Kabir's chest tightened.
"Why didn't you stop her?"
Riya looked straight at him.
"Why would I?"
Silence.
Kabir immediately left.
Meanwhile—
Anaya walked alone again.
Not because she wanted to.
But because she needed to think.
"Am I really just a phase…?"
Her tears fell freely now.
"Will he leave me too…?"
Suddenly—
A car stopped near her.
Anaya froze.
Fear rushed through her again.
But before anything could happen—
Another car stopped.
Kabir stepped out.
Angry.
Terrified.
"What are you doing here?!" he shouted.
Anaya looked at him.
Her eyes full of pain.
"Answer me first…" she said.
Kabir froze.
"Am I just a phase in your life?" she asked.
Silence.
Kabir's expression changed.
"Who told you that?" his voice turned dangerous.
"Does it matter?" she whispered.
"Yes. It does."
Anaya shook her head.
"I just want the truth…"
Her voice broke.
"Will you leave me one day… like you left her?"
Kabir stepped closer.
His eyes intense.
"I didn't leave her."
Anaya looked up.
"She left me," he said.
Her breath stopped.
Kabir continued—
"She couldn't handle my world."
His voice softened.
"But you…"
He gently held her face.
"You stayed… even after seeing everything."
Anaya's tears fell again.
"I'm scared…" she whispered.
Kabir pulled her closer.
"I know," he said softly.
"But you're not a phase, Anaya."
His voice turned firm.
"You're my only reality."
Her heart stopped for a moment.
Kabir rested his forehead against hers.
"And this time…"
"I'm not letting you go."
Anaya closed her eyes.
Slowly…
She held his shirt.
Like she didn't want to lose him again.
But far away…
Riya stood watching.
Her eyes dark.
"This isn't over," she whispered.
Because this time…
She wasn't planning to lose.