Meanwhile, in a Small Garden in Shenzhen
In a small garden in Shenzhen, Kian and Huan Jing were sitting side by side.
The soft light of the evening sun fell gently on Jing's face, making her look calm and warm.
Kian had brought her her favorite matka kulfi.
"Kian, why are you so good to me?" Jing asked while eating the kulfi, her voice light and innocent.
Kian slowly wiped the kulfi from the corner of Jing's lips with his thumb.
At that very moment, his heartbeat quickened.
He found himself drawn to Jing's innocence—so pure, so unguarded.
For a second, he forgot why he was really here.
He forgot that he had come only because Zain had asked him to gather information.
"Jing… just seeing your face makes my entire day better," Kian said honestly.
Jing held his hand.
Kian's heart ached to tell her the truth, to confess everything.
But his loyalty to his boss chained his words.
Part 3: Fengning's Restlessness & Uncle Lu's Shadow
Inside her room at the Beijing mansion, Fengning lay on her bed, repeatedly messaging Lu Wei—but there was no reply.
"What should I do with this idiot? It hasn't even been a day since he left, and he's already started ignoring me again!" she muttered angrily, throwing her phone aside and pulling the blanket over herself.
Elsewhere…
On the outskirts of the city, inside an abandoned warehouse swallowed by darkness, Uncle Lu sat silently.
On the screen in front of him were Zain and Aanya's wedding photographs.
His eyes burned red with rage.
"Zain Yan… you've turned my niece into a weapon," he hissed.
"But you don't know this—Lu Kang has not finished his game yet.
"Aanya is my blood. And she will destroy you…
just the way I destroyed your family."
Part 4: Truth Behind Closed Doors — The Mask Falls
Night had fallen.
Zain and Aanya were inside the guest room of the Beijing mansion.
The moment the door shut—
The 'loving husband' mask slipped from Zain's face.
His expression turned stone-cold again.
He removed his watch and slammed it onto the table.
"Forget the drama you performed all day," Zain said coldly.
"No one is coming here to feed you."
Aanya removed her sandals and stepped forward until she stood right in front of him.
There was no fear left in her eyes—only challenge.
"I know, Mr. Zain. I am not truly part of your family," she said calmly.
"But remember this—your mother has genuinely started loving me.
"The day she finds out how big a liar her son is, you will be the one who shatters her fragile glass heart.
"I am just a guest for one year…
but you will spend your entire life drowning in guilt."
Zain grabbed Aanya by the arms and slammed her against the wall.
The tension in his veins was visible.
"Guilt?" he growled.
"Lu Kang's niece will teach me morality?
"Your very presence is a punishment for me, Aanya.
Don't forget your limits."
He shoved her away and walked toward the cold balcony, where the Beijing night reminded him of his old wounds.
Aanya stood there watching him, fully aware that even inside this luxurious palace—
she was still a prisoner.
The Royal Suite — Watched from the Shadows
Shuyan insisted that Zain and Aanya stay in the main mansion that night.
They were given the Royal Suite, filled with dim lighting and the scent of fresh flowers.
Aanya stood near the balcony, staring at the moon, unaware that behind the door crack and curtains—
Shuyan and Fengning were secretly watching them.
Zain saw their reflection in the glass.
He exhaled slowly.
The second act of the drama must begin.
He walked toward Aanya.
She stepped back nervously.
"Zain… what are you—"
"Quiet. They're watching us," Zain whispered near her ear.
Before Aanya could react, Zain wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her sharply toward himself.
Aanya's breath bounced back from Zain's chest.
"Mrs. Yan… from today onward, we are truly husband and wife,"
Zain said loudly—loud enough for the people outside to hear clearly.
Aanya understood the game.
To make it look real, she placed her trembling hands on Zain's strong shoulders.
"My dear Mr. Zain… you're so stubborn, doing this in front of everyone,"
she said softly, lowering her lashes and resting her head against his shoulder.
Zain twined his fingers into her silky hair, caressing it gently.
Hatred burned in his eyes—
but his hands were tender, like those of an old lover.
To make the scene even more convincing, Aanya rose slightly and placed a light peck on Zain's cheek.
Zain froze for a second.
Then he noticed—Shuyan and Fengning were still watching.
Zain gripped Aanya's chin, staring at her lips.
"Darling… you're forcing me," he murmured.
The next moment—
Zain's lips were on Aanya's.
This no longer felt like acting.
Aanya felt as if electricity surged through her.
Zain's lips were cold, yet filled with a strange hunger.
Her eyes widened.
Her heart pounded so loudly she feared Zain could hear it.
Outside, Shuyan and Fengning nudged each other, smiled—and walked away.
Mission accomplished.
Zain pulled back abruptly.
His heart raced, careful not to let Aanya hear it.
He wiped his lips as if poison had touched them.
"They're gone. You can sleep now," he said coldly.
Aanya stood frozen.
What did you just do, Zain?
She didn't know whether she should hate this 'fake' kiss—or the current she felt in his arms.
"This turned into such a dramatic movie scene," she muttered, steadying herself.
Night Silence & an Unfamiliar Embrace
Aanya picked up a pillow and walked toward the sofa.
"I'll sleep on the couch."
Before she could move further, Zain grabbed her hand and threw her onto the bed.
"You'll sleep with me. Got it?"
Aanya sat up in shock.
"No! You want to do something wrong with me, don't you?"
Zain opened the top two buttons of his shirt and traced her cheek with a finger.
"Don't trust me so much that I lose control," he said calmly.
"Sleeping together doesn't mean I'll touch you.
"My mother is still watching us. If we sleep separately, she'll get suspicious."
Aanya went silent and curled up at one corner of the bed.
Aanya's First Smile
The room was dark, filled only with the ticking of the clock.
Zain lay turned away, yet the softness of Aanya's lips kept returning to his mind.
Sleep was far from Aanya's eyes.
She touched her lips gently.
Zain's lips were cold… yet carried a strange warmth.
Suddenly, a soft, innocent smile appeared on her face.
Unable to stop herself, she whispered,
"Bitter monster… but he kisses well."
With that smile, she drifted into sleep.
Midnight — When Walls Fall
Later that night, Aanya began to feel cold.
Half-asleep, she searched for warmth and slowly moved closer to Zain.
She wrapped an arm around his waist and hugged him tightly—like a small child.
Zain's eyes snapped open.
Aanya was pressed against his chest.
The strawberry scent of her shampoo numbed his senses.
"Mumma… I'm cold…" Aanya murmured in her sleep, hugging him tighter.
Zain's hand lifted—to hold her back—
But then memories struck him.
His mother.
His sister.
Their deaths.
Lu Kang's face flashed before his eyes.
His hand froze mid-air.
"Move away!" Zain snapped harshly, pushing her aside.
Aanya jolted awake.
"S-Sorry… I didn't realize…"
Without a word, Zain got up, lowered the AC temperature even more, and stepped onto the balcony.
He needed the cold air—to calm the heartbeat that had betrayed him at Aanya's touch.
He hated himself.
Hated the fact that he was slowly getting trapped in his own prey's web.