Kiara understood Raman's signal, and from that moment, her mind became restless. She needed a chance—any chance—to get out of this room and meet Raman alone. There were too many questions swirling inside her. Questions she needed answers to. Truths she was afraid of… yet desperate to know.
Her thoughts refused to settle. Each second stretched longer than the last as her mind replayed Raman's subtle gesture again and again. It wasn't just a simple look—it carried urgency, a silent warning, something deeper that she couldn't ignore. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, her heartbeat uneven as possibilities began forming in her mind.
What did he want to tell her?
Why did it feel so important?
And most importantly… why did it feel dangerous?
She was lost in her thoughts—
When suddenly, Aryan's voice broke through.
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
Kiara looked at him, startled, almost caught off guard. For a split second, panic flickered across her face before she quickly masked it.
"N-Nothing… it's nothing."
But her voice betrayed her. Slightly unsteady. Slightly too quick.
Before she could react—
Aryan's hand slid around her waist, pulling her toward him.
The sudden movement made Kiara stumble forward, crashing lightly against his chest. A soft gasp escaped her lips as her balance gave in, her hands instinctively pressing against him.
"What are you doing? Let me go—" she struggled, trying to free herself.
But Aryan's grip was strong. Unyielding.
No matter how much she tried, she couldn't break free.
Instead—
He held her even tighter.
As if her resistance meant nothing.
As if she belonged exactly where she was.
"Let go… I have work to do," she said, her voice slightly breathless, her chest rising and falling unevenly.
Aryan stayed silent for a moment. His eyes studied her face carefully, as if searching for something hidden beneath her words. Then he asked calmly—
"What work?"
"I… I need to cook."
The excuse came quickly. Almost too quickly.
Aryan let out a low, amused chuckle.
"Cook? There are four chefs in this house, and you're saying you'll cook?"
He laughed softly. "You really haven't changed. Still joking."
His tone carried a teasing warmth, but there was something else beneath it—something observant, something that didn't quite believe her.
Then, leaning closer, he buried his face slightly in her hair and whispered near her ear—
"You only have one job… to love me."
The warmth of his breath against her skin sent a shiver down her spine.
The moment those words reached her ears—
Something clicked in Kiara's mind.
A plan.
A way to escape from his hold.
Her eyes flickered slightly, her thoughts shifting quickly as she grabbed onto the only idea she could use.
"After the accident, you forgot everything…" she said softly.
"You don't even remember that you only eat food made by me."
At the mention of the accident… and his lost memories—
Aryan's expression changed.
The amusement faded.
A shadow of pain crossed his face.
It was subtle. But deep.
Slowly—
He let go of her.
As if the weight of those words had physically loosened his grip.
Then he stepped back and sat down on the bed, holding his head with both hands.
Kiara felt a sharp pang in her chest seeing him like that.
Guilt.
Pain.
Something heavy pressed down on her heart, making it hard to breathe for a moment.
She hadn't expected this reaction.
She hadn't expected it to hurt him this much.
She walked closer and sat beside him.
Placing her hand gently on his shoulder, she said softly—
"Don't think too much… everything will be fine."
Her voice was calm. Gentle.
But inside—
She wasn't calm at all.
Aryan turned toward her.
He lifted both his hands and gently cupped her face, holding it carefully, almost as if she was something fragile.
Looking straight into her eyes, he asked—
"Why can't I remember anything?"
His voice was quiet… but filled with frustration.
A frustration that ran deeper than words.
"I don't remember a single memory… not even one moment with you.
I only remember you."
He paused.
Then asked something that made Kiara's heart tremble—
"If I had forgotten you too… would you have left me?"
The question hung in the air.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Kiara stayed silent.
Her lips parted slightly—but no words came out.
Seeing her quiet, Aryan asked again—
"Tell me… would you have left me too?"
After a few seconds of silence—
Kiara whispered, "No… I wouldn't."
The lie came softly.
Almost convincingly.
Hearing that—
Aryan pulled her into an embrace.
For a moment—
Kiara forgot everything.
His sudden closeness, his warmth, his vulnerability—
It left her stunned.
Still.
Her body froze, yet her heart refused to calm down.
Aryan, still holding her, whispered—
"You won't ever leave me… right?"
His voice carried a strange desperation.
"Please… don't ever leave me. I can't live without you.
I'll die…"
A pause.
"You won't leave… right?"
Kiara stayed silent for a long time.
Her mind screamed at her.
Her heart tightened painfully.
Then finally—
"I won't."
Another lie.
Another promise she knew she couldn't keep.
Inside, she thought—
One day… when you remember everything… you'll be the one to push me away.
The thought lingered.
Heavy.
Painful.
Aryan slowly let go of her.
"What happened? What are you thinking?" he asked.
"Nothing…" Kiara replied quickly.
"I'll go… start cooking."
"Alright."
Kiara didn't wait another second.
She turned and left the room, her steps slightly hurried, as if she was trying to escape something invisible chasing her.
The moment she stepped out—
She let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly.
Her thoughts tangled again.
Confused. Restless. Overwhelming.
She walked toward the kitchen.
Standing there, she suddenly realized—
She had no idea what Aryan liked to eat.
She didn't even know the basics.
A bitter smile almost formed on her lips.
How ironic.
Pretending to be someone's wife…
Yet not knowing a single real thing about him.
Then—
Raman.
Maybe he knows.
And just as she thought of him—
She remembered.
He had asked her to meet him.
That look.
That signal.
Immediately, she hurried to find him.
Her steps quickened, her heartbeat picking up again—this time not from fear, but from anticipation.
Soon, she spotted Raman in the garden, talking angrily to someone on the phone.
His expression was tense.
Serious.
Something about the way he spoke made it clear—this wasn't a casual conversation.
Kiara slowed down.
She didn't interrupt.
She waited quietly until he finished.
After a few moments, Raman hung up and turned—
Only to find Kiara standing there.
"Oh, ma'am… you're here."
"Please don't call me ma'am," Kiara said softly.
"I'm not worthy of that respect."
Raman shook his head immediately.
"What are you saying? What you've done for us… for sir… can't be compared."
Kiara lowered her gaze.
"I did all this for my own selfish reasons…"
Her voice was low. Honest.
Raman smiled slightly.
"Even for selfish reasons… no one would sacrifice themselves like this.
"who can sacrifice herself for his loved ones—there is no one greater than her.
You're truly great."
Kiara didn't respond.
Because deep down—
She didn't feel great at all.
Then he added—
"And yes… your father's operation is done. He's out of danger now.
But the doctor said it might take time for him to regain consciousness."
Kiara froze.
"What…? You arranged the money so quickly?"
Raman smiled.
"The moment you agreed to the contract… the surgery was started."
Tears filled Kiara's eyes instantly.
Relief.
Overwhelming relief.
Her hands trembled slightly as she folded them in gratitude.
"Thank you…"
Raman quickly lowered her hands.
"Please don't thank me. It's embarrassing.
Compared to what you've done… this is nothing."
He paused.
"If you hadn't agreed… maybe sir wouldn't have survived."
Kiara stayed silent.
Her chest tightened again.
Everything felt connected.
Her father. Aryan. This contract.
Everything.
Raman continued softly—
"Right now, sir understands nothing except you.
I just hope… someone like you stays in his life permanently."
Kiara felt uneasy.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Permanent…?
That word didn't belong to her.
Raman noticed and quickly changed the topic.
"But you should be careful. Sir has many enemies.
He's a very powerful businessman in this city."
Kiara nodded slowly.
Then asked hesitantly—
"Can I… go see my father once?"
Raman shook his head.
"Without sir's permission, you can't go out."
"No, no… he must not know about this," Kiara said quickly.
Her voice carried urgency now.
Fear.
Raman thought for a moment.
"Alright. Tomorrow, after sir leaves for office, you can go.
I'll inform the driver."
Then added seriously—
"But you must return before sir comes back. And be careful outside.
Like I said… he has many enemies."
Kiara nodded.
"Okay."
But even as she agreed—
A strange uneasiness settled in her chest.
As if something was about to go wrong.
Just then—
A voice echoed from behind.
"Raman…"
Both Kiara and Raman froze.
Their bodies went stiff instantly.
Their throats went dry.
Fear gripped them.
Slow. Cold. Unforgiving.
Neither of them turned immediately.
Because they were afraid of what they might see.
Afraid of what might come next.
Only one question echoed in their minds—
Did Aryan hear everything?
Did he…?