The days after the attack felt slower.
Quieter.
Like the storm had passed—
But the air still remembered it.
Kiara stood on the balcony again.
Same place.
Same city.
But this time—
She wasn't alone.
Aarav walked out, holding two cups of coffee.
He handed one to her.
"Careful, it's hot."
Kiara took it.
Their fingers brushed slightly.
She didn't pull away.
"Thank you," she said softly.
They stood side by side.
No tension.
No fear.
Just silence.
Peaceful.
After a moment, Kiara spoke—
"I used to stand here alone."
Aarav glanced at her.
"And now?"
She looked at him.
"Now I don't have to."
Something shifted again.
Small.
But real.
Aarav leaned against the railing.
"You're getting used to this."
Kiara smirked faintly.
"Don't get used to me being soft."
Aarav chuckled.
"Too late."
She rolled her eyes.
But didn't deny it.
A breeze passed.
Soft.
Calm.
"For the first time…" Kiara said quietly,
"I don't feel like I'm fighting something."
Aarav looked at her.
"Good."
A pause.
"Because I'm tired of fighting you."
Kiara smiled slightly.
"Same."
Silence again.
But this time—
It felt full.
Then Aarav said something unexpected—
"What do you want next?"
Kiara frowned.
"What do you mean?"
He turned toward her.
"Not business. Not war."
A pause.
"You."
Kiara didn't answer immediately.
Because no one had asked her that before.
She looked out at the city again.
Thinking.
Then—
"Peace," she said softly.
Aarav nodded.
"Simple."
Kiara shook her head.
"Not for us."
They both knew that.
A moment later—
Aarav stepped closer.
"Then we make it simple."
Kiara looked at him.
"Since when do you do simple?"
Aarav smirked.
"Since you made everything complicated."
Kiara laughed.
Light.
Real.
And for a second—
It felt like a normal life.
But—
Not everything was calm.
Inside the house—
A guard checked the CCTV monitors.
Routine.
Normal.
Then paused.
One screen flickered.
Just for a second.
A shadow.
At the outer gate.
Gone.
The guard frowned.
Zoomed in.
Nothing.
He shook his head.
"Probably nothing…"
But far away—
Hidden in darkness—
Someone watched.
Silent.
Waiting.
Because peace—
In their world—
Never lasted long.