That evening—
Ayaan sat drawing again.
"Papa, look!"
He showed another picture.
This time—
Three figures holding hands.
And a fourth one… crossed out.
"What's this?" Aarav asked gently.
Ayaan frowned.
"That uncle at school tried to take me again."
Aarav's expression turned cold instantly.
"But Papa came!" Ayaan added proudly.
Ananya froze.
"What?"
Ayaan nodded.
"Same man. Papa scared him away."
Aarav stood up slowly.
"This isn't over."
Ananya's heart raced.
"Raghav…"
"Yes," Aarav said.
"But this time—he's not just watching."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then Aarav turned to her.
"You're not going anywhere alone anymore."
"I won't hide," she said firmly.
"You won't need to," he replied.
Their eyes locked.
And in that moment—
It wasn't just fear between them anymore.
It was something else.
Something stronger.
Something dangerous.
Because the more time they spent together…
The harder it became—
To stay apart.