The sound came from inside.
Glass breaking.
Ananya's eyes snapped open.
"Ayaan!"
They both rushed inside.
The living room window was shattered.
Curtains fluttering wildly.
And Ayaan—
Gone.
Ananya's world stopped.
"AAYAAN!"
Her scream echoed through the house.
No answer.
Nothing.
Aarav's expression turned deadly.
His phone was already in his hand.
"Lock down the area," he ordered.
"Now."
Ananya grabbed his arm, shaking.
"He's gone… Aarav… he's gone…"
Her voice broke completely.
For the first time—
She wasn't strong.
She wasn't in control.
She was just a mother—
Terrified.
Aarav held her shoulders firmly.
"Look at me."
Her eyes met his.
Filled with panic.
"I will bring him back," he said.
His voice wasn't loud.
But it carried absolute certainty.
"No matter what."
Her tears fell faster.
"Promise me…"
Aarav didn't hesitate.
"I promise."
Silence.
Heavy.
Deadly.
Because this time—
It wasn't about love.
It wasn't about the past.
It was about their son.
And someone had just made the biggest mistake of their life.