As Aryan walked out of the mansion, the heavy curtains of the drawing room seemed to extinguish Arisa's last flicker of hope. She stared blankly at the door, unable to comprehend that her own brother had left her behind in this living hell. Abir walked over to her, his expensive cologne—once a pleasant scent—now felt as suffocating as poison.
"See, Arisa?" Abir whispered, his voice dripping with victory. "Even your blood kin bow before my power. Didn't I tell you? You have no one left in this world, only me."
He gripped her chin, forcing her to look into his dark, calculating eyes. Arisa didn't cry this time; instead, her gaze was filled with a burning, raw hatred. She violently jerked her face away from his hand.
"You're wrong, Abir Khan," she spat, her voice cold. "You can imprison my body, but never my hatred. My brother didn't leave out of fear; he's planning something. You can keep me trapped, but you will never earn a single drop of my love."
Abir's pupils constricted instantly. His calm demeanor vanished, replaced by a predatory rage. Without a word, he scooped her up in his arms and marched toward the grand staircase. Arisa screamed and thrashed, kicking her legs, but against his iron grip, her efforts were futile.
Inside the bedroom, he tossed her onto the carpet. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a small glass vial containing a translucent blue liquid.
"Do you know what this is?" Abir asked, his voice chillingly soft. "It's a cure for your defiance. If you won't stay calm by choice, I'll send you into a world of haze where I am the only reality you know. You will love me because you'll have no other choice."
Arisa's heart hammered against her ribs. She realized he was planning to use some kind of drug to control her mind. In a desperate move, she bolted toward the balcony, but Abir was faster. He grabbed her by her hair, pulling her back with brutal force. A cry of agony escaped her lips.
"Don't try to run, Arisa," Abir hissed, his laughter sounding demonic. "Every step you take is under my watch. Tonight, you will learn the true price of challenging Abir Khan."
He reached for the silver chain to restrain her as the wind outside began to howl, and the rain lashed against the windows—as if nature itself was screaming against the horror unfolding within.