Gunfire echoed through the estate like thunder that refused to stop.
The mansion was no longer a home.
It was a battlefield.
Aanya's hand tightened around Rudra's sleeve.
Her body trembled—but she didn't let go.
Not even when fear screamed at her to run.
Rudra pulled her deeper into the corridor.
Fast.
Controlled.
Sharp movements like he had done this a thousand times before.
"Stay close," he ordered.
Aanya nodded quickly, breath shaking.
Outside, Riya's men spread across the estate.
Black shadows moving under broken lights.
Searching.
Hunting.
And Riya herself stood near the broken gate.
Smiling.
Watching everything burn into motion.
"This is it," she whispered.
"To make you choose me… or lose everything."
Inside the mansion, Rudra stopped suddenly.
He pressed Aanya behind a pillar.
His body blocking hers completely.
"Don't move," he said quietly.
Aanya barely nodded.
Footsteps.
Close.
Two armed men turned the corner.
Before Aanya could even breathe—
Rudra moved.
Fast.
Silent.
Deadly.
One man fell instantly.
The second didn't even get time to react.
It was over in seconds.
Aanya's eyes widened in shock.
She had never seen this side of him so close.
So real.
So dangerous.
Rudra turned back to her immediately.
"Are you hurt?"
Aanya shook her head.
"No…"
But her voice broke slightly.
Rudra noticed.
His expression softened for a fraction of a second.
Then returned to control.
"This will get worse," he said.
A pause.
"Riya didn't come here to talk."
Aanya whispered,
"Then why did she come?"
Rudra's jaw tightened.
"To break me."
Silence.
Heavy.
Aanya looked up at him.
"You're not afraid of her…"
Rudra shook his head.
"No."
A pause.
"But I am calculating what she thinks she knows."
Suddenly—
a loud explosion shook the west wing.
The mansion trembled.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Aanya flinched instantly.
Rudra pulled her closer without thinking.
Protective.
Instinctive.
Real.
Riya's voice echoed again from outside speakers.
Calm. Sharp. Controlled.
"Rudra Rathore…"
A pause.
"Bring her out."
Aanya's heart dropped.
Rudra looked toward the sound.
His eyes turned darker than before.
"She's targeting you directly now," he said quietly.
Aanya stepped back slightly.
"No… I can handle myself—"
Rudra grabbed her wrist instantly.
Firm.
Not painful.
But impossible to ignore.
"No," he said firmly.
"You can't."
A silence followed.
Something changed in that moment.
Not fear.
Not anger.
But truth.
Aanya finally whispered,
"Why does she want me so badly?"
Rudra looked at her.
Long.
Heavy.
Then said quietly—
"Because she knows something you don't."
Aanya froze.
"What…?"
Rudra hesitated.
For the first time.
Then—
"You're not just someone I care about anymore."
A pause.
"You're the reason I lose control."
Aanya's breath stopped.
Outside…
Riya smiled when she heard the mansion still fighting.
Because now she knew.
The war was no longer between gangs.
It was inside Rudra Rathore's heart.
And that…
was her real weapon.