Morning came—
But not the same one.
The mansion felt quieter.
Colder.
Not because anything had changed outside—
But because everything had changed inside.
Sasmita walked down the stairs like always.
Perfect posture.
Calm face.
Controlled steps.
No one could tell.
But inside—
There was nothing calm anymore.
She took her seat at the dining table.
Aarav was already there.
For a moment—
Their eyes almost met.
Almost.
But she looked away first.
Like it meant nothing.
Like he meant nothing.
That small action—
Said everything.
Breakfast continued in silence.
Her grandmother observed carefully.
Because something was different.
Not obvious.
But there.
"Everything alright?" she asked.
Sasmita didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
A perfect answer.
A practiced one.
Aarav didn't speak.
Didn't react.
But his grip on the glass tightened—
Just slightly.
Because this silence—
Wasn't distance.
It was rejection.
At the office—
The change became clearer.
Sasmita returned to her usual self.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unreachable.
As if the past few days—
Never happened.
As if he—
Never mattered.
"Aarav," she said during a meeting.
Her tone—
Professional.
Flat.
"Prepare the reports."
No eye contact.
No pause.
Just instructions.
"Yes, ma'am."
The words came out the same way.
Controlled.
Distant.
And just like that—
Everything between them—
Disappeared.
But not really.
Because distance didn't erase feelings.
It only buried them.
Outside—
The pressure didn't stop.
The data leak investigation intensified.
More questions.
More suspicion.
And now—
More attacks.
Because the second lead—
Hadn't finished yet.
"Now she's alone," the associate said.
The man smiled faintly.
"No," he replied.
His eyes darkened.
"She just thinks she is."
Evening fell again.
Sasmita stayed late.
Work.
Files.
Numbers.
Anything—
To avoid thinking.
Because thinking—
Led back to him.
Her hand paused mid-page.
For just a second.
Because a memory surfaced.
"Because I already did."
Her grip tightened.
"No," she whispered.
As if denying it would erase it.
Outside—
Aarav stood once again.
Watching.
Not approaching.
Not interfering.
Just there.
Because even now—
Nothing had changed for him.
Her safety—
Still came first.
Even if she didn't want him there.
Inside—
The lights flickered again.
Sasmita froze.
That feeling—
Returned instantly.
Not again.
Footsteps echoed.
Closer.
Her instincts sharpened.
She stood up slowly.
But this time—
There was no warning message.
No preparation.
Because this time—
She was truly alone.
The door creaked open.
A shadow moved inside.
Sasmita stepped back.
Her eyes sharp.
Her mind ready.
"Looks like," a voice said softly,
"you don't have your protector today."
The second lead.
Her expression hardened instantly.
"I don't need one," she replied coldly.
He smiled.
"That's what makes this easy."
Before he could take another step—
The lights went out.
Darkness.
Complete.
A pause.
Then—
A sound.
Fast.
Sharp.
The man stepped back suddenly.
Because something—
Moved.
A familiar presence filled the room.
"You never learn."
Aarav's voice.
Low.
Dangerous.
Sasmita's breath stilled.
Because even without seeing—
She knew.
He was there.
Again.
And even after everything—
He still came.
The fight didn't last long.
Because it never did—
When he was serious.
Moments later—
Silence returned.
The lights flickered back on.
The room—
Empty.
Except for her.
And him.
Standing at a distance.
Not looking at her.
As if—
He didn't belong there.
Sasmita didn't speak.
Because she didn't know what to say anymore.
Aarav turned.
Ready to leave.
Like always.
Without expecting anything.
But this time—
Her voice stopped him.
"Why?"
The word came out softly.
He paused.
Didn't turn.
"You said to stay away," he replied.
Silence.
"And yet," she said quietly,
"you're still here."
A faint pause.
Aarav exhaled slowly.
Then—
Without looking back—
"That hasn't changed."
The words lingered.
Because even after everything—
His answer—
Was still the same.
Sasmita stood there.
Silent.
Conflicted.
Because pushing him away—
Was easier.
But losing him—
Wasn't.