The air inside the Rao residence had grown thick — like secrets were clinging to the curtains, hiding behind walls, breathing through cracks.

It had been three days since Meher vanished.

No note. No explanation.

Only the crumpled remains of bridal flowers, unused mithai boxes, and the choking shame that fell upon the family like a fog.

And then, Veer had come.

---

In the Drawing Room

Raghavan, the patriarch, sat with his hands folded tightly in front of him. Across from him sat Rajeev and Neelima, Saanvi’s parents — stunned, silent, and unsure of what the hell had just been proposed.

Raghavan’s voice was calm, too calm.

“He is willing to marry her. He will keep it clean. Fast. No media attention. The press will be fed a replacement story. Meher’s name won’t be touched.”

Rajeev stared at the floor. “You already said yes, didn’t you?”

“I agreed to consider,” Raghavan replied. “The rest is up to you.”

Neelima clutched her dupatta with trembling fingers. “Saanvi doesn’t even know this man. She doesn’t remember him. How can we—”

“She doesn’t have to remember him,” Raghavan cut in. “He remembers her.”

Rajeev’s eyes snapped up. “And that doesn’t worry you?”

Raghavan leaned forward, voice lower now.

“He’s powerful. Connected. Dangerous, yes. But obsessed. That obsession protects her. The kind of obsession that burns down empires for a single bruise on her hand. You want to say no to that?”

Rajeev shook his head. “You’re trying to sell her safety like it’s a dowry.”

“I’m trying to keep our family from being ruined by scandal and whispers.”

“It’s not scandal that ruins families,” Rajeev said bitterly. “It’s silence.”

Neelima’s voice cracked. “She’ll never forgive us.”

Raghavan’s reply was simple. “She doesn’t need to know the truth.”Then he added, almost as a whisper—“Meher didn’t run away on her own.”

Rajeev’s head lifted. “What?”

“She had help. Veer helped her disappear.”

Neelima’s face paled. “He… what?”

Raghavan’s voice was low. “He cleared the path. Arranged the car. Blocked calls. Paid off the driver. She was never supposed to marry.”

“Why?” Rajeev asked, already knowing.

Raghavan met his eyes. “Because he never wanted her. He only wanted Saanvi.”

--

That Same Evening – Saanvi’s Apartment

Saanvi’s fingers hovered over her keyboard. The hospital was done for the day, but she couldn’t shake the unease lodged deep inside her.

Every time she turned a corner, she felt it — like someone just looked away. A presence just out of sight.She pulled up her building’s CCTV feed again.There — a tall figure, black coat, back turned to the camera, walking past her floor just after 2:17 a.m.

Again.

Third night in a row.She clicked pause, leaned closer. But his face never showed.

Was she losing her mind?

Was this… paranoia?

No.

Her gut knew better.Then she noticed the file on her desk had moved. Only slightly. Half an inch.

But she hadn’t touched it today.Her breath caught.She turned toward the window.And there — on the inner sill — lay a second white tuberose.Pristine. Deliberately placed.Her hands began to shake.

“He’s been here,” she whispered.

Not a hallucination. Not a bad memory.This was deliberate.

---

Meanwhile – At Veer’s Penthouse

Veer stood by the window, looking out over Delhi like a god over his domain. In his hand, a leather folder. Inside, photos: Saanvi leaving work. Saanvi talking to her friend. Saanvi alone in her apartment.

There were sticky notes: Prefers black coffee. Ignores sweets. Always takes stairs. Holds phone in left hand when stressed.

She didn’t remember him.But he remembered every breath she took.

A phone buzzed on the table.

“Raghavan agreed?” Veer asked.

“Her father is folding. The mother’s scared. They’ll say yes.”

Veer nodded. “And Meher?”

“Out of the country. Quiet. Just like you ordered.”

“She was never supposed to be the bride,” Veer said coldly. “She was just in the way.”

He poured himself a glass of dark wine.

“Now that path is clear.”

---

Back at Rao Residence – Night

Neelima lit a diya in front of the gods but her hands shook so badly the flame nearly died out.Rajeev entered the room slowly, his face ashen.

“She’ll hate us,” Neelima whispered, her eyes welling.Rajeev said nothing.“She wanted to save lives,” she murmured. “Now we’re handing her over to a man whose hands are stained with blood.”

Rajeev placed a hand on her shoulder — soft, trembling.“We’re doing this to protect her,” he said, but his voice sounded hollow even to his own ears.The diya flickered.And the gods said nothing.

--

Elsewhere – Saanvi’s Mind

She opened her journal.Wrote one line.

“Everyone is hiding something. And I’m starting to think… I’m the secret.”