The room stayed silent for a few seconds.
Too silent.
It felt like even the air was waiting for something to happen.
I looked at Rehan… then at Arin.
Before I could say anything else…
A slow sound echoed again.
Footsteps.
All of us turned instantly. Arin immediately stepped slightly in front of me. Rehan went still.
Then a figure stepped out of the shadows.
And it was Rudra...
It felt like he had been standing there the entire time.
His eyes first landed on Rehan. Then Arin.
And finally… on me.
Now, we can talk properly, Rudra said softly.
My throat felt dry.
Arin's voice came instantly.
So you were hiding in the dark this whole time ?
Rudra didn't even look at him properly.
"I was listening," Rudra said simply.
Rehan's jaw tightened.
You always do this, you never say everything directly.
Rudra finally looked at Rehan and said...
Because you never understand everything at once.
That made Rehan stepped forward slightly.
You kept me here like a prisoner, Rehan said sharply.
I kept you alive, Rudra replied without raising his voice.
A heavy silence followed. I looked between them, confused… overwhelmed.
Finally, I spoke.
Rudra....
He looked at me immediately. His expression softened slightly.
Yes, Rhea.
I hesitated for a second then asked quietly,
"Are you okay?"
The question made Arin turn slightly toward me. Rehan also went silent.
Rudra didn't answer immediately. He just looked at me like he wasn't expecting that question at all. For a moment, the calm expression on his face softened.
I'm fine, he said finally.
But it didn't sound fully true. I frowned a little.
You don't look fine.
For a moment, something flickered in his expression… then suddenly, Rudra straightened slightly.
Now everything is okay, he said. They are gone, we are safe now, he added.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Arin still didn't look fully convinced.
Safe? Arin muttered under his breath.
Rehan said nothing, but his eyes stayed sharp, like he was still analyzing Rudra's every word.
I just stood there, trying to believe it.
But something inside me didn't relax completely. Rudra noticed my silence.
His voice softened slightly again.
You're overthinking, he said softer this time. You're safe, Rhea.
I looked at him.
"Are you sure ?" I asked quietly.
"Yes," Rudra replied instantly.
Rudra looked at me for a moment longer.
Then he finally spoke.
Now we should go back inside the villa.
Arin frowned immediately.
Back inside ? After all this? You think that's safer ? he asked sharply.
Rudra turned to him.
Inside, I can control the situation, Rudra said simply.
That sentence made something uneasy settle in my chest.
Then Rudra turned slightly toward me.
You look tired, Rhea, he said more softly. You need rest.
I didn't know why… but his voice felt calmer than everything else around me.
Still, I hesitated.
Are you sure it's okay to go back in ? I asked again.
Yes, he said. I will make sure nothing happens.
Then he added,
"Come."
Rehan immediately stepped closer to me.
I don't trust him, he whispered.
I stood there for a second longer…
It didn't feel safe in going inside but I also didn't have a choice .
Slowly… I started walking behind Rudra.
And we stepped inside the villa again.
The hallway lights were dim. The lights almost flickered slightly.
Everything felt the same… but somehow heavier.
Rudra walked ahead without saying much.
Arin stayed close behind me, still alert.
Rehan followed silently, his eyes still scanning everything.
We had barely taken a few steps when..
Soft footsteps came from the side corridor.
All of us turned instantly.
Two figures came into view.
Disha and Myra.
My shoulders relaxed a little.
Disha looked up immediately, and her face lit up with relief.
There you are, she said quickly, stepping forward. We were looking for you.
Myra's grip tightens on her mother's hand. Her eyes shift between me, Rudra, Arin, and Rehan. Something about the atmosphere makes her go quiet.
Before anyone else could speak.
Rudra stepped forward.
You need to leave this house right now, Rudra said firmly to Disha.
Disha blinked. Leave? Rudra, what are you talking about? This is our home.
Rudra didn't soften. He just looked at her directly.
"It's not safe anymore."
Arin stepped forward instantly.
"So what now? We just keep running ?"
Rudra exhaled slowly, like he had already expected this reaction.
"I already handled it," he said.
I turned toward him.
"What do you mean you handled it?"
He answered without hesitation.
"I spoke to Eric."He prepared another villa. It's secure. Controlled. No external access."
Disha looked up.
"So… we're moving there?"
Yes, he said immediately.
"Disha looked confused and shaken.
" You decided all this without telling us ?"
Rudra's eyes didn't shift.
There was no time, he said firmly.
Silence fell again.
I looked at him carefully.
"You keep making decisions like this on your own…"
Rudra looked at me.
I decided to keep you alive, he said quietly.
That was all he said.
Then he turned toward the hallway.
"We should leave now," he said. "No arguments."
And this time… no one stopped him.