Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty Seven.

Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty Seven.
Her hand came up, rested on his chest and he swore his heart would explode from the force of its own beat. Then, without a word, she leaned in and kissed him. Soft. Deep. Brief.

And just like that, it ended.

She pulled back.

Tejas was stunned, lips still parted, breath shallow.

“Suhan...Can we just—”

“Just get the job done.” she cut in sharply, turning her back to him. “If Shaurya doesn’t do what he’s supposed to… finish it.”

His jaw tightened. “You want him dead. But you still love him. It’s written all over your eyes.”

She paused, just for a second, and then glanced over her shoulder. Her expression didn’t soften.

“Get to work, Tejas,” she said.

And she walked away without looking back.

Tejas stood frozen for a long moment, before he turned on his heel and got into his car.

As soon as the door shut, he let out a sharp breath and slammed the steering wheel once. The sound echoed in the quiet cabin. His hands gripped the leather tightly, veins raised from the pressure.

Then, slowly, almost reverently, he brought his fingers to his lips, tracing where her kiss still lingered.

He leaned back against the headrest, eyes shut.

And he let the silence swallow him.

As soon as Suhana stepped into the small, dimly lit house, the thick scent of old incense and damp wood greeting her, she was immediately met with her mother’s voice.

“Suhana, where have you been?”

Suhana didn’t answer right away. She just blinked, her expression blank as she walked past the older woman and slumped onto the threadbare couch. She crossed her legs, and rested her arms along the couch’s edge, looking like a queen bored of her kingdom.

“Why are you asking?” she finally said, her tone bored, eyes narrowed.

Her mother didn’t back down. “Arjun was here last night. He came himself, Suhana. What did you do? Why is he looking for you?”

That made Suhana pause. A slow smile crept to her lips, but her eyes darkened.

“Tch. I guess he found out I’ve been following his precious little saint,” she hissed, voice laced with acid. “That goody-goody witch Meera. She spotted me first. Always acting like the world revolved around her. I still don’t understand why she’s breathing. Because of her, look at this dump we call home.” She waved a hand at the cracked walls and peeling ceiling. “Because of her, Arjun destroyed everything.”

Her mother didn’t speak, just swallowed hard.

“You need to be careful, Suhana.” she said instead. “Arjun looked furious. You know how he gets. His mercy comes once in a blue moon.”

Suhana turned her head slowly, her expression freezing into something cold and unreadable.

“Do I look like I’m scared of him?” she whispered.

Her voice was flat, deadly.

“He can do what he wants. He can threaten, rage, break bones, but I’m not backing down. Not until I watch the light drain from that girl’s eyes.” Her lips curled into a wicked smile, her eyes shimmering with hatred. “I’ll be right there when it happens. Meera’s going to die... and I’ll laugh.”

Her mother shivered visibly but said nothing more.

Just then, the old door creaked open again, and her father stepped in, removing his dusty shoes at the entrance. He paused at the sight of his daughter, surprised.

“Suhana?” he asked, his face softening. “Where have you been?”

Without a second thought, Suhana stood and walked to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in a warm, familiar hug.

“Just out,” she replied sweetly, too sweetly. “The usual.”

Then she pulled back, her voice shifting into something more syrupy with venom beneath.

“Oh, and guess what? Arjun is finally engaged,” she said, flashing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Isn’t that beautiful?”

Her father studied her face. He could see it—the brittle facade, the rage trembling just beneath her skin.

Suhana’s smile slowly faded as her jaw tightened, eyes flashing like lightning in a gathering storm.

“But don’t worry,” she whispered, her tone dropping.

“The wedding won’t happen.”

The venom in her voice was sharp, unmistakable.

“They’ll both pay… for every shattered piece of my life. For what they did to me. To us.”

Her father smiled softly, knowingly. He said nothing, just leaned in and pressed a kiss to her head like it was a blessing.

And Suhana stood there, smiling like a ghost waiting to haunt.

♤♤♤

Arjun’s Study Room...

The low hum of the laptop filled the silence. Arjun sat behind the desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wood. Karan leaned over the device, initiating the video call.

"I hope he listens this time," Karan muttered under his breath.

Arjun didn’t respond. His eyes were sharp, jaw set.

The screen rang.

Karan moved to sit beside Siddhartha, across from Arjun. The room was tense.

Then the screen flickered.

Varun appeared.

His face was blank, cold, stone carved into flesh.

“What do you want?” Varun’s deep voice rumbled through the speakers. He hadn’t even looked directly into the screen.

Karan and Siddhartha exchanged glances, something about Varun’s presence made the air colder.

Arjun leaned forward. “I want to talk to Veda.”

Varun’s jaw ticked. He finally met Arjun’s eyes through the screen, irritation simmering beneath the surface.

“Arjun,” he said. “you’re not seeing her. Veda is safe.”

“I need to see that for myself,” Arjun said coolly. “Her sister just got engaged and she wasn’t there. That’s not normal.”

Varun’s lips curled slightly. “Congratulations. She told me.”

Arjun’s tone hardened. “Listen carefully, I’m engaged to her sister now. Which means Veda is under my protection. I don’t care what your family ties are with my father. If I have to start a war for her, I will.”

A beat passed.

Then Varun smirked, slow and amused. “You want war with me?” He leaned back, voice dangerously soft. “That’s... adorable.”

Just then, a voice came from off-screen—soft and hesitant.

“V-Varun?”

He tensed.

Then Veda appeared, stepping into view. She looked nervous but tried to hold herself steady.

“Mr. Madhav,” she greeted. “Sorry about the—”

Before she could finish, Varun’s arm wrapped around her. He pulled her tightly against him like she belonged to him. His face dipped into her neck and he inhaled deeply, eyes closed. Possessive. Unstable.

“Varun—” Veda’s voice cracked slightly.

“I’m fine,” she told Arjun quickly, her smile weak and forced. “Sorry, Varun’s... affectionate. He just likes physical closeness.”

Arjun’s face darkened. Varun didn’t even blink.

One of his dark, feral eyes looked straight into the camera, at Arjun.

“Congratulations on your engagement,” Veda added softly. “I’ll try to attend the wedding.”

Arjun opened his mouth to say something—but Varun’s jaw flexed.

“You’re talking to him too long,” he muttered, voice clipped. “I don’t like it.”

Without warning, the screen went black.

Karan exhaled. “Well, that was insane.”

He stood and walked to Arjun’s side.

“At least we know she’s still fine.” Siddhartha said. “But... he’s not letting her go. Not anytime soon.”

Arjun remained silent, his eyes still fixed on the blank screen.

Karan crossed his arms. “It’s going to be hell getting her out of his grip.”