My packing was done. I was ready to move into his home–our home.

It had taken me a long time to accept this. Months filled with chaos, uncertainty, and change. But the most remarkable thing wasn’t the passage of time–it was him.

He had been my annihilator, the force that shattered my world. Yet, somehow, he had become the one I now called home. It hadn’t been easy. But through his actions....not just words...he made it happen.

He gave me freedom, something I never expected from a man as domineering as him. And now, looking back, I realize this time apart was necessary. It allowed me to sort through my emotions, to understand what I truly felt.

And now, I was certain. Confident.

I loved him.

"I'm going to miss you, Miss Drama," Jubi said, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. Her hug snapped me out of my thoughts.

I chuckled. "I'm not leaving the country, you know. I'm just moving. You'll still see me every day."

"I know... I just got emotional. But I’m so, so, so happy for you," she murmured, her voice soft with sincerity.

After one last glance at my room, I stepped out with my luggage. As I made my way down the corridor, a strong, masculine arm suddenly grabbed me and pulled me into a dimly lit room. My heart leaped into my throat. Panic surged, and I instinctively shut my eyes, about to scream–

"Relax. I just need to talk to you. Please… don’t scream."

The familiar voice made my breath hitch. As my eyes adjusted to the faint light filtering through the closed windows, I saw him.

Kaan.

Why was he here? In a ladies hostel!

Memories of our last encounter resurfaced–the discomfort of his touch as we danced at the gala, the unease that lingered even after Rayan had pulled me away. And now, here he was again.

"Let go of my hand." My voice was sharp, unwavering.

"Oh. Sorry." He released me immediately, stepping back.

"What do you want, Mr. Kaan Barci? We don’t share the kind of relationship that warrants private conversations." My tone was resolute, deliberately cold.

His dark eyes flickered with surprise. "You remember my name?"

I didn’t respond. Instead, I crossed my arms and raised a brow, waiting for an explanation.

His hesitation lasted only a moment before he spoke. "Are you really moving in with him? You love him, don’t you? Did you forget what he did to you?" His voice carried a desperate edge.

I stiffened. "That’s none of your concern, Mr. Barci. My husband is waiting for me outside. Now, if you’ll excuse me." I turned to leave.

"He’s not who you think he is. He may hurt you again." The words tumbled out in urgency.

I stopped. Slowly, I turned back to face him. "Why are you telling me this?" My voice was ice. "You don’t even like him. So why should I believe you?"

His jaw tensed. "Because I..." He exhaled, closing his eyes briefly before opening them again. "Because I don’t want you to get hurt. He doesn’t deserve you."

I stared at him, unreadable. "You don’t know what we have between us. And you certainly don’t have the right to interfere in my life." I stepped closer, my next words deliberate. "Yes, I love him. With all my heart. If you truly wish me well, you’ll respect that.....and stay out of my personal life."

With that, I walked away, leaving him in that dark, empty room.
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When I stepped outside the building, my eyes instantly found him. Rayan stood near the main gate, leaning casually against the wall. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing the defined muscles of his forearms. His hands rested in his pockets, his posture screaming effortless confidence. The dark shades covered his piercing gaze, and a mask concealed the lower half of his face–just as I had insisted. With the crowd around, I didn’t want any unnecessary attention drawn to him.

Yet, even with half his face hidden, he looked devastatingly handsome.

The moment he noticed me, he straightened and strode forward. Without a word, he reached for my luggage, taking the handle from my grasp with ease.

"Everything packed and alright?" His deep voice carried a sense of quiet assurance.

I offered him a soft smile. "Yeah."

"Good. I’ll send someone to collect your books and study materials this afternoon," he said as we walked toward his car.

With a practiced motion, he opened the door for me, guiding me inside before placing my luggage in the back. Once he settled into the driver’s seat, he started the engine and pulled onto the road.

Though excitement and happiness filled my heart, a sudden wave of emotion rushed through me...an unsettling mix of nervousness and doubt.

Was it because of Kaan’s words? Even though I was certain of my decision, his desperate plea still lingered in my mind, stirring a tiny ripple of uncertainty.

Stop overthinking, Tania. Everything will be fine, InShaAllah. I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts.

"You okay, Hazel?" Rayan's voice pulled me back to the present. He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his brows slightly furrowed in concern.

"Yeah, I’m fine," I reassured him.

He studied me for a second longer before nodding. "Alright, then get some rest. It’ll take a while before we reach home."

With that, he reached over and adjusted my seat, ensuring I’d be comfortable.

I smiled at his small gesture before nodding. Maybe everything really would be fine.
___________________________________

As they pulled up to the mansion, Tania frowned, staring out the car window. The entire estate was swallowed in darkness, not a single light in sight.

Her brows furrowed. “Why is it so dark? Did the electricity get cut off? Where are your men?” she asked, turning to Rayan in confusion.

He smiled mysteriously, unbuckling his seatbelt. "It’s just like my world without you, Hazel...pitch black." His voice was laced with something unreadable. "Anyway, go ahead. We’ll fix it once we’re inside."

Her confusion deepened, but she trusted him. As he guided her toward the main gate, she took a hesitant step forward.

And that’s when it happened.

The moment her foot touched the surface, the ground beneath her came alive illuminating like a galaxy. Swirls of vibrant blues, purples, and silvers shimmered beneath her feet, spreading outward in a breathtaking wave of light. It was as if she was walking on the cosmos itself.

She gasped, completely mesmerized, and then noticed something strang. The pathway beneath her didn’t feel like ordinary stone or marble. It looked different. Smooth, reflective...almost like an LED screen. Every step she took triggered a shift, making the colors ripple and change as if responding to her very presence.

"What… what is this?" she whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Go ahead, Hazel," Sarfaraaz urged, his voice softer now.

She took another step, and again, the surface lit up, chasing away the darkness. Every movement, every footfall, painted the path before her in celestial hues.

"It’s so breathtakingly beautiful, Rayan," she murmured, spinning slightly to take it all in. "I’ve never experienced anything like this." Her hazel eyes sparkled, reflecting the dancing lights beneath her feet, making her seem like she belonged to the stars themselves.

Sarfaraaz watched her, drinking in the sight of her wonder. He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"It’s just a visual representation of your presence in my life, Édesem," he confessed, his voice laced with quiet emotion. "The moment you stepped into it, everything lit up–just like this."

Her breath hitched, her heart racing as he pressed a light, lingering kiss onto her cheek. The atmosphere,  his warmth, his words, his touch...all of it wrapped around her like a spell, sending a shiver down her spine.

She turned to face him, searching his eyes as if looking for a truth, for something unspoken. The mesmerizing glow of the pathway reflected in her hazel depths, but beneath that beauty lay a flicker of uncertainty, of a lingering fear she couldn’t quite shake.

And then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, "Aap mera bharosa nahi todenge… hai na?"
(You won’t break my trust… right?)

Sarfaraaz stilled, his gaze locked onto hers. For a moment, he said nothing, just stared into those glossy, searching eyes, as if engraving the weight of her words onto his soul.

Then, without breaking eye contact, he reached for his gun. Slowly, deliberately, he placed it in her palm, his fingers brushing against hers, his grip firm but unthreatening.

"Main aisa soch bhi nahi sakta…" he murmured, his voice steady, unwavering.
("I can’t even think about it…")

His eyes darkened with something intense, something raw.
"Lekin agar kabhi tod doon…" he continued, his tone carrying the solemn weight of an oath.
("But if I ever do…")

He guided her hand, pressing the gun lightly against his chest, right over his heart.

"Toh seedha mere dil par goli maar dijiyega."
("Then shoot me straight through my heart.")

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken promises. The glowing galaxy beneath their feet shimmered like a thousand unsaid words, like a love both fragile and unbreakable.

Tania swallowed, her fingers trembling slightly against the cold steel. She should have felt fear, hesitation.....but all she felt was the depth of his vow, the sincerity in his eyes, and the quiet ache of a love she had always craved.

A love that felt like destiny.

Her dream man. Her prince charming–who was also the annihilator of her peaceful life.
Her Rayan.

With a steady breath, she took the gun from his grasp and gently tucked it back into his pocket, her touch lingering for a heartbeat longer.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice as soft as the wind rustling through the darkened estate. "I'll remember it. But right now… I want to trust you with my everything."

And before hesitation could creep in again, she tiptoed closer, reaching up to cup his chin. Her fingers traced the light stubble on his jaw, anchoring herself in the moment before she let her soft lips meet his rough ones in a kiss. A kiss that was so gentle yet searing, hesitant yet filled with quiet surrender.

Sarfaraaz stilled for a split second, as if caught off guard by her boldness, but then his hands found her waist, pulling her in, deepening the kiss with a possessiveness that set her entire body into fire.

At that moment, beneath the endless galaxy of lights shimmering at their feet, nothing else existed.

Just them. Just this. A surrender of two souls to each other.
And perhaps… just love. A love that transcended all logics, morals, rules.
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As they pulled away, Sarfaraaz pressed his lips to her forehead, his arms still wrapped around her waist, grounding her–steadying her.

Her eyes remained closed, her lips swollen and slightly parted, making her look ethereal in the soft glow of the galaxy-lit pathway. Sarfaraaz drank in the sight, memorizing her like a sacred vision. Then, in a voice laced with tenderness, he whispered, "Let me carry you inside, Édesem."

Before she could respond, he effortlessly scooped her into his arms in bridal style. A surprised gasp left her lips before she relaxed against his chest, her hands instinctively wrapping around his neck. A soft sigh escaped her....content and safe.

Sarfaraaz chuckled before stepping forward along the shimmering path. As they reached the main door of the mansion, the entire estate suddenly lit up, bathing them in a breathtaking glow.

Tania’s eyes widened in awe. "You did so much for an evening, Rayan"  she murmured, mesmerized.

Sarfaraaz smirked. "It’s nothing, considering your husband owns a multinational tech company, Hazel."

Before she could respond, the mansion doors swung open, and an explosion of cascading flower petals and shimmering paper confetti filled the air.

"Welcome back!" voices rang in unison–Rahat, Shanaya, Nanny Haya, and little Muneeb standing at the entrance, their smiles radiating warmth.

Tania left awestruck, her heart swelling. She wasn’t just stepping into the house....she was stepping into home.

Sarfaraaz gently placed her back on her feet. Muneeb toddled forward, carrying a bouquet almost larger than himself, with Rahat subtly helping him.

"Welcome home, Mami," he said, his voice tiny, innocent.

Tania’s breath hitched. Mami. He had never called her that before. A lump formed in her throat, tears pricking her eyes.

"Aww, my baby. Thank you," she whispered, bending down to accept the flowers before placing a soft kiss on his chubby cheek.

"Welcome back, sister," Rahat greeted warmly.

"Thanks for returning to your place," Shanaya added, a small, unexpected smile tugging at her lips.

Tania blinked through her tears, overwhelmed by the love surrounding her. "You guys… you’re making me emotional," she sniffled, failing to hold back the tears that finally spilled.

Sarfaraaz wiped them away, his touch impossibly gentle before placing a lingering kiss on her forehead. Then, turning to the others, he said, "Thank you all for making this happen. But I’m taking her upstairs–she needs to rest. Nanny Haya, please take Muneeb to his room."

"Yeah, yeah. Take her," Shanaya teased, before nudging Rahat. "And you take me home."

Rahat straightened, his voice unusually soft, his eyes were dreamy. "Yes, My Istennő."

Tania’s brows shot up. Her gaze flickered between Rahat and Shanaya, suspicion sparking. "Am I missing something, Rahat Bhai?"

Before Rahat could respond, Sarfaraaz scooped her into his arms once again.

"Hey! Put me down, you monster! I want to hear this from Rahat Bhai!" she protested, hitting his back in frustration.

Sarfaraaz merely smirked. "He’ll be too shy to say anything, and honestly, I don’t want to hear what he did with my cousin. So stay quiet."

Tania gasped, momentarily stunned before finally giving up with a huff, resting her head against his chest.

And just like that, he carried her away...to their room, to their world.
__________________________________

Sukoon (Peace).

If I had to describe it as a person, it would be the little woman sleeping unguarded on my chest. Tania. My Hazel.

She had no idea how her mere presence worked like therapy for me. The moment I saw that report–filled with nothing but lies....I wanted to destroy everything in my path. My rage burned, my hunger for revenge clawed at my sanity. But then I looked at her peaceful face, and somehow, I found control. I forced myself to restrain the storm brewing inside me.

I would take revenge. Every single person responsible for playing with my life, for shattering my family, would pay. But I couldn't rush. The incident had happened twenty-one years ago. Evidence was scarce, and someone had already begun erasing the remaining traces.

That’s why I had given Taylor–my most trusted assassin and spy–the task of unearthing every piece of information tied to my father’s scandal and murder. I didn’t care if it led to someone close or familiar. Whoever was involved... I would end them.

Years of being played, of burning in the agony of  being an orphan, of losing my baby sister–everything would be paid for, one by one.

But to keep my patience until then, I needed something...someone...to anchor me, to hold onto what was left of my sanity. And fate, in its twisted way, had given me my wife. The woman I had once wanted to break had now become my sole source of peace.

Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, I slipped out of bed, carefully not waking her up. There was work to be done.

Once I reached my study, I picked up my phone and dialed Taylor.

"What’s the update?" I asked curtly, my jaw tightening with tension.

"Well, I found out who performed your parents’ postmortem," he said steadily.

My fingers curled into a fist, knuckles turning white in anticipation.

"And?" I managed to say, my heart pounding against my ribs.

"I only retrieved his name and address. But when I got there, he was gone. No trace of him. It’s like he disappeared years ago..."

"Damn it! The fuck!" I growled, slamming a fist onto my desk.

"Well, boss… if you let me finish," Taylor said dryly.

I exhaled sharply. "Yeah. Continue."

"He left his job right after your father’s so-called suicide–sorry, I mean murder. Found that odd." He paused, letting the words settle.

I stayed silent, nodding for him to go on.

"After digging around for the past two days and exhausting my best sources, I found out he left the country just a week before the case was officially closed."

Fucker!

"If you give me some time, I can track him down, see if he’s alive and living as a civilian or if someone already got to him," Taylor offered, waiting for my permission.

I inhaled deeply before replying, "Yeah. Do your best. You’ll be paid more than you expect."

"That’s what I like to hear," he said, and I could practically hear his greedy grin through the phone. Money was the only thing that kept this bastard sane.

"And Major Shafiq’s treatment? Any updates? I couldn’t call the hospital."

"Yeah. He’s recovering. Should be fit to return to India in two to three weeks."

"Good. He needs to be strong before facing me," I muttered, gritting my teeth. "Because I have a lot of fucking questions for him."

If he wasn’t Tania’s father…

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to stay calm.

"Boss?" Taylor called when I didn’t respond.

"Do your work. And don't investigate the other thing I told you to investigate. If you already started don't send me the report." I said to him. I just don’t want to find out the truth I was suspecting. So, It's better to keep it that way.

"Okay, Boss" he replied obediently.

"Well then, I need to make another call," I said before ending the call.

Without wasting a second, I dialed Rahat’s number.

"Hey, brother. You calling this late? Everything okay?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

I hesitated for a second. I had to be careful with my words.

"Yeah. I needed to talk to you about something important. I’m telling you this because I trust you. And I need to know if that trust is mutual."

Silence.

"The fuck are you saying, Sarfaraaz? I’d die for you without a second thought. And you’re talking about trust?" Rahat’s voice was sharp, almost offended.

I exhaled. "I want you to dig into my uncle."

This time, the silence stretched longer. I could feel the weight of my own words.

"You know I shouldn’t be asking this. Hell, I hate that I even have to consider it," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "But he became a minister in the next election after my father’s death. It doesn’t sit right with me you know the scandal of my father was still alive then. And after seeing the postmortem report… Fuck. He raised me, Rahat. And now I’m doubting him."

I clenched my jaw, the frustration boiling inside me.

"He knew the alcohol found in my father’s blood was a fucking lie. But he didn’t challenge it. He was the only family I had left–the only one who stood in court, who went to the police for us. But he never fought for the truth."

Another pause.

"This is because of Shanaya, isn’t it?" Rahat finally asked.

I clenched my fists.

Yes. It was. And I hated it.

"I thought... maybe you wouldn’t help me," I admitted, my voice lower, more raw. "Because he’s Shanaya’s father."

Rahat inhaled sharply.

"You think I’d cover for him just because I love his daughter?" His voice was steady, but there was a hint of something else beneath it. Pain.

I remained silent.

"Don’t worry, Sarfaraaz. I’ll find the truth," he finally said. "Even if he is Shanaya’s father, even if it destroys everything I have with her… I’ll help you get justice. Just like I promised years ago."

I exhaled, a weight settling deeper on my chest. I only prayed my uncle was innocent.

Because if he wasn’t, I’d have to destroy the man who raised me.

And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that.

___________________________________

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