Alaina stared at her phone, her fingers tightening around the device as she let out a slow, controlled breath. The screen had gone dark, but it didn't matter-Arsalan's voice still echoed in her mind, his teasing words laced with something that both infuriated and thrilled her.

He doesn't understand.

He never has, and he never will.

Malik, I'm keeping you away for your own good... because if you step into my world, there will be no turning back. No escape. No second chances.

She leaned back, her eyes gleaming with something dangerously possessive. You think this is a game, don't you? That you can chase me, flirt with me, taunt me until I give in?

Fool.

A dark chuckle left her lips, one that held no amusement-only the weight of a warning. If you enter my territory, Malik, you won't leave. I will own you. Body, mind, and soul. And if I ever see you reaching for someone else, if I even sense your attention wavering from me...

I'd rather see you dead by my hands than watch you be happy with someone else.

Alaina's gaze flickered to the window, watching the city buzz beneath her feet. It was a world of chaos, power, and control-a world where she reigned without mercy. And in this world, no one dared to covet what belonged to her. No one was foolish enough to lay a claim on her possessions, her people.

And yet, Arsalan, oblivious as ever, continued to test her limits.

A smirk tugged at her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. If you are mine, you are only mine.

And if I can't push you away... then I will pull you in so deep that you'll never find a way out.

She exhaled sharply, running a hand through her dark locks. I'm doing this for you, Malik. I'm keeping you safe. I'm keeping you free.

But if he continued to defy her, to chip away at the walls she had so carefully built, then there would be no stopping what would come next.

I will break you.

I will chain you to me.

And you will never escape.

And if you even dare to escape from me, Malik... I will burn down the entire world just to find you. And when I do, I will drag you into the flames myself-watching as they consume you, as they carve my name into your very soul.

You don't know, Malik...

You have no idea what Alaina Shaikh is capable of when it comes to her obsession.

Because love was fragile. Love could be broken.

But obsession?

Obsession was unyielding. Obsession was ruthless.

And Malik... was hers.

The morning sun bathed the city in a golden glow as I stood before the mirror, adjusting the pleats of my saree. The soft white fabric clung to me gracefully, the golden embroidery catching the light. I secured my gold jhumkas, the delicate chime of them filling the silence, and slid rings onto my fingers-small yet striking. A single bracelet adorned my left wrist, a contrast to the sharp strength in my hands.

Beside me, Alaina was a vision of effortless elegance in a white chikankari kurti, the delicate embroidery tracing intricate patterns across the fabric. The oxidized jhumkas swayed as she styled her dark hair in soft curls, a matching nose ring glinting under the light. Thick kohl rimmed her sharp eyes, making her gaze even more intense.

The scent of Gucci perfume lingered in the air as we both stepped into our heels, our eyes meeting in the mirror. There was an unspoken understanding between us-today wasn't just Holi. Today was the day we returned, not as shadows of our past, but as forces to be reckoned with.

We waited, our phones in hand, until finally-

Abhimanyu: "You both can come now."

Arsalan: "Try not to kill anyone before the colors even touch your skin, hmm?"

Alaina smirked, tucking her phone away. "No promises."

A slow grin spread across my lips as I grabbed the car keys. "Let's give them an entrance they won't forget."

---

AT THE SHEKHAWAT & RAJPUT MANSION

The roar of the engine silenced the hum of festivities.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my foot pressing down as the car drifted sharply, tires screeching against the pavement. Gasps and shouts filled the air as heads whipped toward us, the mansion's guests watching in stunned silence.

And then-

"SWAGAT NAHI KAROGE?!"

My voice rang out, followed by Alaina's as we both threw the doors open.

"SANJNA RAJPUT AUR ALAINA SHAIKH KA?"

The stunned silence was delicious. Eyes widened. Gasps filled the air. Happiness, shock, disbelief-all flickered across different faces. But my gaze zeroed in on three people.

Three faces that turned deathly pale.

Their hands trembled. Their eyes darted toward each other, desperate, panicked.

Got you.

They had believed I was dead. That the attack in New York had wiped me off the map. I had even sent them a text myself, ensuring they fell for the illusion.

But here I was.

And I wasn't alone.

I stepped out of the car first, the wind playing with the loose strands of my hair, and beside me, Alaina emerged with that deadly smirk she always wore before a kill.

The whispers grew louder. Some people gasped in happiness. Some, in disbelief. And then-

"Sanjna!"

My mother's voice cracked through the air, and before I could even brace myself, she was running toward me.

I barely had time to breathe before her arms wrapped around me, pulling me into her warmth. My heart clenched as she cupped my face, tears spilling down her cheeks as she kissed my forehead over and over again.

"You both are so bad! Five years! Five years and not once did you come back!"

Alaina let out a soft chuckle, stepping closer. "Ma, we missed you too."

Mother turned to her, pulling her into the hug as well, her hands trembling as she stroked her hair. "You two are my daughters... I don't care what the world says. I waited. Every day, I waited for this moment."

I swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in my throat. "We're here now. And we're not leaving this time."

She nodded, blinking back more tears, before finally stepping back.

As more people approached, offering hugs, smiles, and words of welcome, my eyes searched for only one.

And then I found him.

Abhimanyu Shekhawat stood at a distance, arms crossed, watching me with an unreadable expression.

Tall, imposing, and dressed in a crisp white kurta that did nothing to hide the raw power beneath, he looked every bit the man who had ruled in my absence. His dark, calculating eyes never left mine, as if trying to confirm whether I was truly here or just another illusion.

Beside him, Arsalan leaned against a pillar, dressed in a white embroidered kurta, sleeves rolled up as usual. A lazy smirk tugged at his lips, but his sharp gaze flickered with something deeper. His hair was tousled just enough to give him that effortless charm he always carried.

Alaina turned, locking eyes with Arsalan, and for the briefest second, something dangerous passed between them. But then, she scoffed and looked away, acting as if he didn't exist.

The tension crackled between us all, but I ignored it.

For now.

Instead, I picked up the cool glass of thandai that had been handed to me, taking a slow sip as I whispered to Alaina-

"Let the games begin."

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