Chapter 11: Lines Crossed

Aarav's confession hung in the air, thick with unanswered questions. Avni stared at him, trying to process the storm he had just unleashed. She wanted to scream, to demand answers, but something in the way he looked at her—equal parts regret and determination—stilled her voice.

"Who sent the message, Aarav?" she asked finally, her voice trembling.

Aarav sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Someone who doesn't know their place. But I'll deal with them. You don't need to worry."

"That's not good enough," she said, surprising herself with her defiance. "You can't keep me in the dark."

His lips curved into a faint, almost dangerous smile. "You're bold tonight." Leaning closer, he tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her cheek. "But you don't understand the weight of my world, Avni. It's better if you don't."

She pulled back slightly, her heart racing. "You can't just decide what's better for me. I deserve to know what's happening."

Aarav's eyes darkened, his playful demeanor shifting. "You deserve to be safe," he said firmly. "And that's all you need to know."

As he spoke, the sound of another car engine broke the tense silence. A sleek black Jaguar pulled up beside them. Aarav's jaw tightened as a man stepped out, dressed sharply, his expression cold.

"Aarav," the man said, his voice steady. "We need to talk."

Avni's stomach knotted as Aarav opened his door and stepped out, his demeanor shifting into something harder, colder. "Stay in the car," he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.

She watched as the two men spoke in hushed tones, their expressions tense. Aarav's hand balled into a fist at his side, his body radiating anger.

When he returned, his face was unreadable. Without a word, he started the car, the tension between them now suffocating.

"Who was that?" Avni finally asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"No one you need to worry about," he said curtly.

But Avni could feel it—whatever was happening, it was spiraling out of control. And Aarav, for all his possessiveness and promises, was at the very center of it.