After some time, a soft knock came at the door.

Siya quickly wiped her tears, and both Aarav and siya turned toward the sound.

The maid stood there, hesitant.

“Dinner… is ready,” she said.

Aarav didn’t answer. He just looked at Siya.

She sighed and said gently, “Go. We’ll come.”

The maid nodded and left.

Aarav still didn’t move.

“I won’t go without you,” he finally said quietly.

Siya exhaled, a small, tired smile on her lips. She looked at him and saw it — the worry in his eyes. The care.

She knew he cared. She had always known.

But she didn’t want to fall for him. Not now. Not when her heart was shattered.

She knew how much he was trying, how much he wanted to be there for her, yet she couldn’t allow herself to lean on him.

“Come, eat a little,” he said softly.

She nodded, forcing herself to look composed.

“You go… I’ll be there,” she said.

He stared at her for a long moment.

“I’m fine… now go,” she added.

Finally, he left.

Siya walked slowly to the bathroom.

She stood in front of the mirror, staring into her own red, swollen eyes.

Memories of her family flooded her mind — their laughter, their love… and the brutality of the Mittals.

Her lips trembled as tears threatened to fall again.

But she shook her head.

“Crying won’t help,” she whispered.

She looked at her reflection. “I am strong,” she said, voice firm this time.

She washed her face once. Then again.

And with each drop of water, her grief transformed into resolve.

“No more weakness,” she murmured.

“My steps now are clear.

There is only one thing left for my life…”

Her voice hardened, eyes blazing with fury.

“To erase them… the way they erased everything I loved.”

Siya walked downstairs.

Aarav’s eyes were fixed on the stairs, as if he had been waiting. The moment he saw her, something in him eased slightly.

She walked in as if nothing had happened.

Even after everything.

Her gaze fell on Kavita, and she forced a small smile before sitting beside Aarav.

“Siya, are you fine?” Kavita asked, concern evident in her voice.

“I’m fine, Mom,” Siya replied softly.

Kavita frowned slightly. “You were crying, beta… why?”

Paakhi, sitting nearby, also noticed siya swollen eyes.

Siya gave a faint smile.

“Papa’s best friend told me about Mom… I just remembered her,” she said.

Kavita nodded slowly, understanding.

Paakhi lowered her gaze and continued eating silently, but her eyes flickered toward Siya — noticing the way she held herself together, despite everything.

Siya ate only a little before standing up.

“I’ll go to my room,” she said quietly.

No one stopped her.

Back in her room, she closed the door and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before the tears could return.

She walked to the bed, lay down, and closed her eyes.

But peace didn’t come.

She kept turning from one side to another, her eyes shut tightly, tears gathering but refusing to fall.

Her mind wouldn’t stop — memories, pain, anger… everything crashing at once.

And then, slowly, exhaustion took over.

Aarav entered the room after some time.

He paused when he saw her.

She was lying there, restless even in sleep, her face still tense.

His eyes softened.

He walked over and lay down beside her, as he always did—

keeping a respectful distance.

But his gaze remained on her, silently watching over her… like a promise he couldn’t yet put into words.

The next morning, Siya woke up feeling strangely calm.

Too calm.

She walked downstairs for breakfast and took her seat beside Aarav, quietly eating without saying much.

Aarav watched her for a moment, sensing the change, but said nothing.

As he stood up to leave, he looked at Kavita and said “Take care of her,” he said softly.

Kavita nodded.

“I’ll be back soon.”

And he left.

Siya’s phone buzzed.

It was Raghav.

“How are you, Siya?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” she replied calmly.

There was a brief pause.

“I’m arranging a new man for you,” Raghav said. “He’ll keep you informed about everything. This time, I’ll make sure he’s more careful.”

“Fine,” Siya said.

Then her tone changed.

“But Now I don’t want information anymore.”

Raghav went silent.

“I’ve thought enough,” she continued, her voice steady but cold.

“No more digging. No more waiting.”

Her grip on the phone tightened slightly.

“I want to see them suffer… I want to see them die.”

A pause.

“And I will kill them myself.”

“Siya…” Raghav tried to interrupt.

“If you don’t want to help, it’s fine,” she cut him off.“I’ll do everything on my own.”

Raghav sighed deeply.

“What are you saying? Of course I’ll help you. I always will.”

A faint smile appeared on Siya’s lips.

“But tell me,” he added, his tone serious now, “what exactly happened?”

“Sure,” siya said

Raghav said fine Then meet me this Saturday… at your favorite restaurant.”

She nodded slightly and said “Okay.”

And the call ended.

Siya lowered her phone slowly.

Her face was calm.

But her eyes…

held something far more dangerous than tears.

Reshabh stood in front of Aarav.

“Sir… we’ve won,” he said. “But they’re not making any move.”

Aarav didn’t respond.

He was lost in his thoughts.

“Sir?” Reshabh called again.

Aarav looked up, snapping out of it slightly.

“Did you find any connection between the Singhanias and the Mittals?” he asked.

Reshabh frowned slightly. “Not yet, sir.”

Aarav went silent again.

His mind drifted back to Siya—

her tears… her broken voice…

“I just remembered Mom…”

His expression changed.

“What about her mother?” he murmured under his breath.

Reshabh looked confused. “Sir?”

Aarav’s gaze sharpened.

“How did Mrs. Singhania die?” he asked.

Reshabh paused for a moment before replying,

“Sir… it was a car accident.”

Aarav’s fingers tightened slightly on the table.

“A car accident…” he repeated slowly.

Then his eyes darkened with suspicion.

“What if…” he said, his voice low, “it wasn’t an accident at all?”