The ride back to the mansion was silent.
Too silent.
The city lights passed by in blurred streaks outside the window, but inside the car, tension sat heavily between them.
Anaya Sen leaned her head slightly against the seat, eyes half closed.
But she wasn't resting.
Her mind was racing.
Everything that had happened tonight…
The kidnapping…
Viktor's words…
And most importantly—
"You look exactly like your father."
That sentence refused to leave her mind.
Beside her, Aryan Malhotra sat still, his gaze fixed ahead.
But he wasn't calm.
Not anymore.
Something Nikolai had said…
Something about Viktor's intentions…
It didn't sit right.
And Aryan never ignored instincts.
The car finally stopped.
The mansion gates opened slowly.
As soon as they stepped inside—
Aryan spoke.
"Come with me."
Anaya frowned slightly.
"Where?"
He didn't answer.
Just walked ahead.
She followed.
Through long corridors…
Past silent guards…
Until they reached a room she had never seen before.
A private study.
Locked.
Hidden.
Aryan entered a code and opened the door.
The room was dimly lit.
Walls covered with files, maps, screens.
Information everywhere.
Secrets.
Danger.
Anaya stepped inside slowly.
"What is this place?"
Aryan closed the door behind them.
"My truth."
The words were simple.
But heavy.
He walked to a table and opened a file.
Then turned toward her.
"I need you to answer something honestly."
Anaya's heartbeat picked up.
"What?"
Aryan's eyes locked onto hers.
"Your father."
Her breath caught.
"What about him?"
Aryan stepped closer.
Slow.
Careful.
"What was his real name?"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Anaya's mind froze.
"My father is dead," she said quietly.
"That's not what I asked."
His voice was sharper now.
More intense.
Anaya looked away.
"I told you everything I know."
Aryan didn't move.
Didn't blink.
"Say his name."
Something in his tone made her chest tighten.
"My father's name was Rajiv Sen."
Aryan's expression didn't change.
Not immediately.
But something in his eyes darkened.
Slowly… dangerously.
He placed a photograph on the table.
And pushed it toward her.
Anaya looked down.
And froze.
Her breath stopped.
The photo showed a younger man.
Standing beside none other than—
Viktor Dragovich.
And that man…
Was her father.
But the name written below the photo was different.
Not Rajiv Sen.
It read—
Arjun Dev Varma.
Anaya stepped back slightly.
"No…"
Her voice shook.
"That's not possible…"
Aryan's voice turned cold.
"Your father wasn't just a businessman."
He stepped closer.
Each word hitting harder.
"He was part of Viktor's empire."
Anaya shook her head.
"No… you're lying…"
"I don't lie."
Her chest tightened painfully.
"My father would never—"
"He did."
The words cut her off.
Sharp.
Merciless.
Anaya's eyes filled with shock.
Confusion.
Fear.
Everything started breaking at once.
"Then why… why would he hide it?" she whispered.
Aryan's gaze hardened.
"Because he stole something."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Anaya slowly looked up.
"What?"
Aryan's voice dropped.
"That chip."
Her world stopped.
For a moment… she couldn't even breathe.
"So this whole time…"
Her voice trembled.
"…this isn't about me…"
Aryan looked at her.
His expression unreadable.
"No."
A pause.
Then—
"It's exactly about you."
Her heart sank.
"What do you mean?"
Aryan stepped even closer.
"So you tell me…"
His voice lowered.
"How much do you actually know?"
Anaya stared at him.
Tears forming in her eyes.
"Nothing…"
But something inside Aryan didn't believe that.
Not anymore.
Because everything had changed.
The girl he was trying to protect…
Might be the key to everything.