The city was no longer calm.
It was divided.
Between truth…
And illusion.
Anaya stood in Kabir's study.
Silent.
Holding a small file.
Kabir had left it there.
Accidentally.
Or maybe fate wanted her to see it.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
She opened it.
And froze.
It contained bank records.
Old transactions.
Hidden accounts.
And one name repeated again and again.
Kabir Malhotra
Her breath stopped.
"No… this can't be…"
Footsteps behind her.
Kabir entered.
He saw the file instantly.
His expression changed.
Not fear.
Not anger.
But concern.
"Anaya…"
She didn't look at him.
"Why is your name in this again?"
Silence.
Kabir slowly closed the door.
"Because this is what Aarav wants you to see."
Anaya finally turned.
Tears forming.
"But it's here…"
Kabir stepped closer.
"I built that account to track illegal money."
"I didn't use it for crime…"
"I used it to destroy it."
Anaya's voice cracked.
"How do I believe that?"
Kabir froze.
That question hurt more than anything.
Meanwhile—
Aarav watched everything through a live feed.
Smiling slowly.
"Now she is asking the right question…"
Riya stood behind him.
"You're pushing her too hard."
Aarav's eyes stayed on the screen.
"She needs to break completely…"
"Before she rebuilds wrong."
Back at the mansion—
Anaya stepped back.
"I don't know what's real anymore…"
Kabir's voice softened.
"Then look at me."
She did.
His eyes were steady.
Tired.
But honest.
"I am not perfect…"
"But I have always stood between you and danger."
Anaya whispered:
"What if you are the danger?"
Silence.
That hit Kabir.
Deep.
He didn't answer immediately.
Not because he was guilty.
But because he was thinking.
Then—
Softly.
"Then why are you still safe with me?"
Anaya's eyes trembled.
Because she knew…
He had always protected her.
Even when she doubted him.
Suddenly—
Phone rang.
Unknown number.
Again.
Anaya hesitated.
Kabir took the phone from her gently.
"Don't answer."
But the call continued.
Kabir finally picked up.
Silence on the other side.
Then—
A voice.
Aarav.
"Hello Kabir…"
Kabir's expression turned cold.
Aarav continued:
"She's standing next to you, right?"
Kabir didn't reply.
Aarav laughed softly.
"You're losing her…"
Kabir's grip tightened.
Aarav's voice dropped:
"But I can stop it…"
Kabir narrowed his eyes.
"What do you want?"
Aarav paused.
Then slowly:
"Her trust in you… completely gone."
Silence.
Anaya heard everything from the speaker.
Her eyes widened.
Kabir looked at her instantly.
"No—don't listen to him."
But it was too late.
Doubt had returned.
Stronger.
Heavier.
Anaya stepped back slowly.
"I need time…"
Kabir's voice broke slightly.
"Not again…"
Anaya looked at him.
"I don't have answers anymore."
And she left the room.
Kabir stood there.
Silent.
Broken but controlled.
Aarav's voice echoed in his mind.
And then—
He whispered:
"This ends now."
Outside—
Anaya sat alone.
Holding her chest.
Trying to breathe through confusion.
Tears fell again.
"I want to trust you…"
"But why is everything so unclear?"
Above the city—
Aarav watched the night sky.
Smiling.
"She's almost there…"
Riya looked uneasy.
"You're hurting her too much."
Aarav replied coldly:
"Love is strongest… when it survives breaking."
Inside the mansion—
Kabir opened a locked drawer.
Inside—
A final hidden file.
He whispered:
"Time to end Aarav Sinha."
❤️