The night was unusually silent.
Too silent.
Like something bad was about to happen.
Kabir stood alone in his study.
A glass in his hand.
Untouched.
His mind… restless.
"Why is she affecting me so much…?"
He closed his eyes.
But instead of peace—
Memories came.
Blood.
Screams.
Fire.
His childhood.
A young Kabir…
Hiding in a corner.
His hands shaking.
"Stay quiet!" his mother whispered, holding him and his little sister tightly.
Footsteps echoed outside.
Danger was near.
Then—
A loud gunshot.
Kabir's eyes snapped open.
His breath heavy.
That night…
He lost everything.
His father.
His home.
His normal life.
Since then…
Kabir Malhotra was never just a man.
He became something else.
Cold.
Ruthless.
Untouchable.
"Sir."
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
His assistant stood at the door.
Nervous.
"They're back."
Kabir's eyes turned dark instantly.
"Who?"
"People from your past…"
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Kabir kept the glass down slowly.
"Let them come."
Meanwhile…
Anaya was in the kitchen.
Trying to make something for Kabir's sister.
She smiled softly.
"He takes care of everyone…"
"But who takes care of him…?"
Suddenly—
She heard loud voices outside.
Angry.
Threatening.
Her heart started racing.
She stepped out slowly.
And froze.
Three men stood in the hall.
Dangerous.
Cold.
And in front of them—
Kabir.
"You thought you could run away?" one of them smirked.
Kabir's expression didn't change.
"I don't run."
The man laughed.
"Your father made enemies… now you pay for it."
Anaya's hands trembled.
"What is happening…?"
Before she could react—
One of the men pulled out a gun.
Her breath stopped.
But Kabir didn't move.
Didn't panic.
Instead—
He stepped forward.
Calm.
Deadly.
"Wrong move," Kabir said quietly.
In the next second—
Everything happened fast.
A fight.
Sharp.
Violent.
Kabir fought like someone who had nothing to lose.
Every move precise.
Every hit filled with anger.
Anaya watched in shock.
Fear filling her eyes.
This was the real Kabir.
The world he belonged to.
Within minutes—
The men were on the ground.
Defeated.
Kabir stood there.
Breathing heavily.
His shirt stained with blood.
Then—
His eyes lifted.
And met Anaya's.
Silence.
For the first time…
He looked at her like he was afraid.
Afraid… she would see the truth.
And leave.
Anaya's heart was pounding.
Her body trembling.
But she didn't step back.
Instead…
She walked towards him.
Slowly.
Kabir frowned.
"Go inside."
But she didn't listen.
She stood in front of him.
Looking at his injured hand.
"You're hurt…" she whispered.
Kabir's voice turned cold again.
"This is my world. Stay out of it."
Anaya's eyes filled with tears.
"I don't care about your world," she said softly.
"I care about you."
Kabir froze.
Those words…
Hit deeper than any wound.
Anaya gently held his hand.
Carefully.
Like it mattered.
"You're not alone," she whispered.
Kabir couldn't speak.
For the first time in his life…
Someone didn't fear his darkness.
Someone stayed.
And that someone…
Was Anaya.