Chapter 65

When the Past Walks In

Three Months Later – New Delhi

The sky was golden, the city humming with life, and Rhea stood in front of a mirror in a boutique bridal studio, a soft cream lehenga hugging her waist, embroidered in gold thread. Her long hair was swept to the side, her bangles jingling as she turned slightly to check the back.

"You look like a dream," Manik said, stepping behind her with a grin.

Rhea smiled, her heart calm. Manik was safe. Steady. Kind. They had dated briefly in college, lost touch, and reconnected a few months ago—just when everything with Lex had become too much to bear. Manik didn't ask questions about her past. He didn't dig.

"Are you sure you want this?" he asked gently, eyes sincere.

"I do," she said, meeting his gaze in the mirror. "I want peace, Manik."

That word—peace—was all she had chased since the night in London that still haunted her. Since Lex.

The wedding date was confirmed: November 20th. A small, private ceremony in Jaipur. No chaos. No drama. Just a new beginning.

Or so she thought.

---

Meanwhile – Mumbai International Airport

Lex stepped out of the arrivals gate, a single bag slung over his shoulder, dressed in black jeans and a grey hoodie. His beard was a little thicker now, his jaw sharper, his expression unreadable.

India felt the same.

He hadn't planned to come back. But something had pulled him here—her name. Whispered during a meeting. Shown in a news segment. Rhea Arya Mehra. Engaged.

He hadn't even known she was seeing anyone.

He tried not to react when he saw the article. But now, the words echoed like thunder in his chest:

> "Businesswoman Rhea Mehra to marry entrepreneur Manik Sharma in a private destination wedding this November."

Lex clenched his jaw, scrolling through the article again in the cab. There was a picture of her smiling beside her fiancé. She looked… happy.

Too happy.

Fake happy.

He leaned back, eyes narrowed. "You're running again, Rhea," he muttered. "But this time… I'm not letting you disappear."

---

The Game Begins Again

Later that night, Rhea returned to her flat. The day had been long—fittings, phone calls, meetings. She kicked off her heels and sank into the couch, scrolling through her messages.

Then her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number

> You look beautiful in cream.

But you're lying to yourself again, aren't you?

– L

Her blood ran cold.

Lex.

Three months. No contact. Not a single word.

And now—this.

She stared at the message, heart pounding. Her fingers hovered over the screen.

Then she typed:

> Stay away, Lex. I'm getting married.

This time, I mean it.

The reply came instantly.

> Then why are your hands shaking?

She dropped the phone.

---

Elsewhere – In the Shadows

Someone else was watching.

In a darkened office, a man leaned back in his chair, watching the security feed from outside Rhea's apartment. He zoomed in on the cab Lex had stepped out of earlier.

"Kingsley's back," the man said into his earpiece.

A voice replied, cold and clear:

> "He'll ruin everything. We can't let him reach her first."

The man closed the laptop and stood. "It's already too late. He's in."