The night became darker.

Aryan stood near the window, watching the black car parked outside.

Aryan: “Rajiv uncle, stay here with Gauri. I'll check outside.”

Gauri immediately stopped him.

Gauri: “No, Aryan. Don't go alone.”

Aryan looked at her.

Aryan: “I'm not going to let anyone hurt you.”

Suddenly, the car's headlights turned on.

The car drove away before Aryan could reach it.

Rajiv looked frightened.

Rajiv: “He's sending us a warning.”

Gauri turned toward him.

Gauri: “Who is he?”

Rajiv remained silent.

Gauri: “Dad, please. No more secrets.”

Rajiv finally sighed.

Rajiv: “His name is Vikram Malhotra.”

Aryan's eyes widened.

Aryan: “Vikram Malhotra?”

Rajiv nodded.

Rajiv: “He was once my business partner. He wanted control of everything. When I refused to help him, he destroyed my business and threatened your mother.”

Gauri's voice trembled.

Gauri: “Is he the reason you disappeared?”

Rajiv: “Yes.”

Aryan clenched his fists.

Aryan: “Where is he now?”

Rajiv shook his head.

Rajiv: “I don't know.”

Suddenly, Aryan's phone received a message.

He opened it.

There was a photograph of Gauri standing beside Rajiv.

Underneath it was a message:

“You found her. Now I'll take her away.”

Aryan's expression changed.

Gauri noticed.

Gauri: “What happened?”

Aryan quickly locked his phone.

Aryan: “Nothing.”

But Gauri knew he was hiding something.

She took the phone from his hand and read the message.

Her face went pale.

Gauri: “Aryan… he's coming for me.”

Aryan held her hand tightly.

Aryan: “Let him come.”

Rajiv looked at them both.

Rajiv: “You don't understand. Vikram doesn't stop until he gets what he wants.”

Aryan looked determined.

Aryan: “Neither do I.”

Gauri looked at Aryan, realizing that his obsession with protecting her might soon put him directly against the man who had destroyed her family.

To be continued…