I lost him too!

Anesha Mathur.

A name once associated with one of Delhi's most respected families.

The Mathurs were a proud army family, deeply rooted in honor and service. Anesha's uncle was a Major in the Indian Army and had once been a trusted figure who interacted regularly with the President. Her grandparents had held high-ranking positions in the army, and her father was a distinguished Brigadier.

The Mathurs lived as a close-knit joint family, their home filled with warmth, love, and laughter. But ten years ago, all of that was destroyed in a single night.

Ten years ago…

On a stormy Thursday night, tragedy struck. Anesha was just twelve years old when her entire family was wiped out.

That night, she had taken her four-year-old brother, Manan, to a friend's birthday party. The weather was severe, with heavy rains and strong winds, so Anesha decided to stay overnight at her friend's house with Manan.

When the storm cleared, and she returned home the next morning, she was greeted by a scene of unimaginable horror.

Her family—her parents, uncle, aunt, grandparents, and even her three-year-old sister and eight-year-old brother—were all dead, their lifeless bodies hanging from the ceiling. The image of their deaths, the nooses around their necks, haunted her soul. Even the innocent lives of the youngest children had not been spared.

The gruesome deaths of eight family members led to a two-year investigation, but no answers were ever found. The case was ultimately declared an act of exorcism, and the files were closed.

The massacre of the Mathurs became an unsolved mystery, etched into Anesha's memory forever.

At the tender age of twelve, her world crumbled. Her only solace was Manan, her little brother.

Even amidst the wreckage of her life, seeing his innocent face gave her the strength to keep going. For him, she fought to hold herself together. Four years ago, for his sake, she had signed a marriage contract with Devansh without even reading its terms.

But now, the one reason she endured—the one tether holding her to life—was gone.

Manan was gone.

Anesha crumpled against the wall, her small frame shaking with uncontrollable sobs. Her breaths grew uneven as grief overwhelmed her. Hugging her knees tightly, she buried her face and wept, her mind sinking into a void of hopelessness.

Her world felt irreparably shattered.

Suddenly, two long legs appeared before her.

There was a pause, and then a gentle hand rested on her shoulder.

"Hey, hey, calm down, kiddo," a soft, familiar voice said.

Tear-filled eyes looked up, and the moment she recognized the face, Anesha broke down completely.

Clinging to his legs, she cried in anguish. "I… I… I lost him too!" Her trembling words were a reflection of the depths of her despair.

Meanwhile…

In the Chairman's cabin of E.G. of Companies—Extinct Groups of Companies—Devansh sat in his Italian leather chair, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

Clad in a custom-tailored grey suit and polished black shoes, he exuded an aura of power. His perfectly chiseled features, illuminated by sunlight streaming through the glass walls, could rival those of a Greek god.

But today, his expression was darker than any mask he had ever worn. His cabin was as cold and minimalist as his demeanor—black-themed, devoid of any warmth. The few items present screamed luxury, yet there was no soul in the room, only a sterile opulence.

Lighting a cigar, Devansh took a slow, deliberate drag, his deep black eyes reflecting a storm of unreadable emotions.

The door opened, and a tall, 26-year-old man stepped in, fatigue evident on his face. He wore a white t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, layered with a maroon overcoat. Removing his sunglasses, he placed them on Devansh's desk and leaned back casually in the chair opposite.

"Your engagement with Hina Singhania is scheduled for the 23rd," he began, his tone laced with disbelief. "Seriously, man—Hina Singhania? Are you really going through with this?"

Devansh remained silent, ignoring him entirely.

After a long pause, he finally turned his gaze toward the man, his lips curling into a smirk that was equal parts disdain and malice.

Leaning back, he spoke in a low, calculated tone, "Ruin people in such a way that…"

"…even four generations remember it," the man finished, matching Devansh's chilling tone.

Devansh smiled—a dark, ominous smile that could rival the devil himself.

__________________________

What lies ahead?

Who was the man Anesha clung to in her despair?

What will happen to Devansh and Hina's engagement?

Will Anesha discover the truth?

And what sinister plans is Devansh weaving in the shadows?

To be continued…