The evening event was quiet.
Private.
Only close people.
Kiara stood near the balcony.
Dressed elegantly.
Calm.
Aarav stood beside her.
"This is your version of boring?"
Kiara smiled faintly.
"Don't complain."
Music played softly.
Everything felt…
Right.
Until—
A sudden sound.
A gun being loaded.
A voice.
Cold.
"Enjoying your victory?"
Kiara froze.
Aarav turned instantly.
Rajiv stood there.
Gun aimed.
Panic spread.
People screamed.
Aarav stepped in front of Kiara.
"Stay behind me."
Rajiv laughed.
"You still protecting her?"
Kiara stepped out.
"No."
Aarav frowned.
"Kiara—"
She shook her head.
"It ends now."
Rajiv's grip tightened.
"You took everything from me," he said.
Kiara's voice stayed calm.
"No."
A pause.
"You did."
Gun raised.
Closer.
Everything slowed.
Aarav moved—
But not fast enough.
Gunshot.
Silence.
Kiara staggered.
Aarav's eyes widened.
"Kiara—!"
She fell into his arms.
Blood.
Too much.
"No… no no no…" Aarav's voice broke.
Kiara looked at him.
Weak.
But smiling.
"I told you…"
A pause.
"Peace doesn't last."
Aarav shook his head.
"Stay with me."
Her hand reached his face.
Shaking.
"You didn't lose this time…"
Another breath.
Fading.
"You won me."
Tears fell from Aarav's eyes.
For the first time.
"Don't do this," he whispered.
Kiara's voice barely there—
"Love wasn't a lie…"
And then—
Silence.
Her hand fell.
Gone.