PRESENT DAY - SANJNA'S POV

The streets of India felt both foreign and familiar, like a past life I was stepping back into. Every turn, every landmark held memories-some bitter, some haunting. The city had changed in five years, yet the weight of it felt the same. Heavy. Unforgiving.

As I drove, my fingers tightened on the steering wheel. My heart should have raced at the thought of facing him after all these years, but it didn't. I had spent too long preparing for this moment.

Alaina watched me closely, her expression unreadable. "Are you sure about this?"

I smirked, my eyes locked on the road. "I've never been more sure."

The moment I reached the towering Shekhawat Empire building, a security detail stepped forward, instantly recognizing me. Their shock was well-hidden, but I caught it. Good. Let them wonder. Let them scramble.

I rolled down the window, tilting my sunglasses down just enough to meet their gaze.

"I need to see Abhimanyu. Now."

The guard hesitated only for a second before nodding, speaking into his earpiece. I knew the message was already being relayed to the top floor.

Alaina leaned back, amusement in her voice. "You really love making grand entrances, huh?"

"Why sneak in when I can walk straight through the front door?" I smirked.

I stepped out of the car, adjusting my blazer. My heels clicked against the marble flooring as I entered the building, each step calculated.

Five years. And now, I was walking straight into the lion's den.

"Sir... she's here."

The words sent a slow, burning heat through my veins.

I set my whiskey glass down, staring at the large window overlooking the city. My reflection was sharp, unreadable. She's here.

She actually came.

For years, I had searched for answers, chased the ghost of a woman who disappeared without a trace. I had questioned her motives, her silence. I had watched from a distance, waiting for the moment she would slip up.

And now, she was walking right into my empire, unannounced, unapologetic, just like she always did.

A slow smirk formed on my lips. Game on, Sanjna.

I adjusted my cufflinks, my mind already three steps ahead. This wasn't just a reunion. This was a battle.

"Send her up," I ordered.

I turned away from the window just as the elevator doors dinged open. The moment she stepped out, time slowed.

Five years.

And yet, she looked like she had never left.

Dressed in a fitted blazer, her hair cascading effortlessly over her shoulder, her lips curved in that same unreadable smirk that had once driven me insane.

I leaned against my desk, arms crossed. "Well, well... look who finally decided to come home."

Her gaze met mine, unwavering, fearless. "Did you miss me, Abhimanyu?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Oh, sweetheart... you have no idea."

His voice-deep, smooth, and edged with something dangerous-sent a slow shiver down my spine. But I didn't let it show. Not now. Not in front of him.

Abhimanyu Shekhawat.

The man I once knew better than anyone.

The man who had once known me.

Now, standing before him after five years, I saw what time had done. He was sharper, darker. The controlled power in his stance, the cold amusement in his eyes-it was all a carefully crafted illusion. But I knew better. Beneath the surface, something burned.

I tilted my head, giving him a slow smirk. "You look good, Abhimanyu. Guess betrayal suits you."

His eyes flickered, but his smirk didn't waver. "And you look... different. Guess running for five years will do that to you."

I chuckled, stepping further into his office, ignoring the heavy tension between us. I could feel his gaze tracing my every movement, searching for answers.

Good. Let him wonder. Let him suffer like I did.

Alaina entered behind me, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She had warned me to be careful, but I didn't need the reminder. I knew exactly what I was walking into.

A game of power. A war of control.

I stopped in front of his desk, placing my hands on the smooth wooden surface, leaning in just slightly. His scent-whiskey, spice, and something uniquely him-wrapped around me like a ghost of the past.

"I came back for a reason, Abhimanyu."

He raised a brow, amused. "Oh? And here I thought you missed me."

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Not everything is about you, Shekhawat."

His smirk widened. "Oh, sweetheart, we both know that's a lie."

My fingers curled into the desk, but I kept my expression neutral. This was what he did-pushed, provoked, pulled people into his web of control. But I wasn't just anyone.

I was Sanjna.

I straightened, eyes locking onto his. "I came back for unfinished business. And I'm not leaving until I get what I want."

His gaze darkened slightly, the amusement fading just enough for me to see it-the flicker of curiosity, of calculation.

"Is that so?" he murmured, stepping around the desk, closing the distance between us.

I didn't move.

Not when he came close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him. Not when his scent wrapped around me like a chain. Not when his fingers lifted slightly, as if he was tempted to touch me.

Instead, I smirked. "Yes. And whether you help me or not... I don't care."

His jaw ticked. For a split second, I saw something flash in his eyes-something dangerous. Possessive.

"Be careful, Sanjna." His voice dropped an octave, quiet but lethal. "You've been gone for too long. You might not know how the game is played anymore."

I took a step closer, my breath ghosting against his chin. "Oh, Abhimanyu... you have no idea what game I'm playing."

His smirk returned, slow and dark. "Then by all means, sweetheart... let's play."

I took a slow breath, steadying myself. This was it. The moment I had spent years preparing for. The moment I would finally drag the truth into the light.

No more hiding. No more running.

I met Abhimanyu's gaze, my voice calm but unwavering. "I told you everything, Abhimanyu. One month ago, I decided to tell you the truth so that we could fight them together."

He didn't react at first. He just stared at me, his expression unreadable, his body unnervingly still. But I knew him. I knew the storm that brewed behind those dark eyes, the war raging inside him as he processed my words.

Then, slowly, he exhaled.

"Everything?" His voice was dangerously quiet.

I nodded. "Everything. The betrayals, the real enemy, the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. The reason behind the attack on us."

His jaw clenched, his fingers curling into fists. "And you expect me to believe that you suddenly decided to trust me?"

I took a step closer, my eyes searching his. "Yes. Because despite everything, I know you. And I know that no matter how much you pretend to be cold, you won't sit back while the people responsible for our suffering walk free."

A muscle in his jaw ticked. His silence was deafening.

Then, with slow, deliberate movements, he turned away, walking toward the floor-to-ceiling window. He placed his hands in his pockets, his broad shoulders tense as he looked out over the city.

"You should have told me sooner." His voice was tight, controlled, but I could hear the anger simmering beneath it.

I swallowed, my chest tightening. "I couldn't. Not until I had proof. Not until I was sure."

He let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head. "And now you're sure?"

I nodded, stepping beside him. "Yes. And now, it's time we finish this."

For the first time in a long time, he turned to fully face me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. "Then let's end it, Sanjna. Together."

After sometime I walked out of his office...

As I gazed out of the window at the land I had once called home, a strange mix of emotions churned inside me.

Five years. That's how long it had been since I last set foot here. Since my life had been shattered, since I had barely escaped with my own breath. And now... I was back. But this time, I wasn't the same naïve girl who had left.

I turned my head slightly to see Alaina stretching in her seat, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Finally, India." She sighed dramatically. "And during Holi, no less. What a perfect time to paint the town red-literally and figuratively."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Try not to cause too much chaos on the first day."

Alaina rolled her eyes. "Please, I'm an angel."

I didn't bother to respond. We both knew that was a lie.

Just then, my phone buzzed. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the name flashing on the screen. Abhimanyu.

I exhaled slowly before answering. "Yes?"

His voice was sharp, precise. "You Reached?"

"Yes."

A pause. Then, "Where are you staying?"

I smirked slightly. "Why? Worried about me?"

His voice was devoid of amusement. "Just answer the question, Sanjna."

I glanced at Alaina before responding. "Penthouse at Oberoi. Alaina and I will be there."

"Good. Stay there. Don't make unnecessary moves until we discuss everything."

I frowned slightly. "You don't give me orders, Abhimanyu."

His voice dropped a notch, turning darker. "This isn't about orders. This is about not getting killed before we finish what we started."

I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes for a moment. "Fine. We'll talk soon."

I ended the call before he could say anything else.

Alaina gave me a knowing look. "That man is wound up tighter than a damn drum."

I sighed. "He has a right to be. We're walking straight into enemy territory."

She shrugged. "And that's what makes it fun."

I shook my head, but deep down, I knew she was right.

This was just the beginning. And soon, the real game would begin.

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The black SUV pulled up in front of the Oberoi Hotel, its headlights cutting through the early morning haze. The air smelled different here-something between nostalgia and danger. I stepped out, my heels clicking softly against the pavement as I pulled my coat tighter around me.

Alaina stretched lazily beside me, adjusting her sunglasses. "Feels good to be back, huh?"

I glanced up at the towering building before us, memories flickering like ghosts in the back of my mind. "It feels... strange."

She scoffed. "You'll get used to it soon enough. Now, let's get inside before someone starts getting ideas about why we're here."

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