The moment Elizabeth Imra Erin entered the house, a sharp slap landed across her face.
Her aunt, Sabita Begum, glared at her furiously.
"So you went out to fool around while we were asleep, didn't you?"
Before Elizabeth could respond, another slap struck her, throwing her onto the floor.
Tears filled her eyes as she looked up.
On the sofa, her cousin Ibrat sat watching with a quiet, mocking smile. Her male cousin, Shihab, walked out of his room, still yawning.
When Elizabeth fell, her scarf slipped from her chest. The disgusting look in Shihab's eyes made her quickly cover herself again.
Sabita grabbed a fistful of her wet hair and yanked her up.
At that moment, Iqbal stepped forward and pulled Elizabeth away from his wife.
He glared.
"Why are you hitting her? Can't your day start without creating chaos?"
Sabita snapped back instantly.
"Don't raise your voice at me. Ask your precious niece what she was doing this morning."
Iqbal frowned.
"What did Elizabeth do?"
Sabita sneered.
"She went out to meet some man."
Iqbal's expression darkened.
"Watch your words."
Sabita shouted louder.
"Then ask her why she bathed so early. Why she took water from my fridge. Which man was she serving outside?"
Iqbal froze.
Elizabeth burst into tears, humiliation burning her face. The red marks of fingers were still visible on her cheeks.
Before he could speak again—
a series of loud car horns echoed from outside.
Everyone stopped.
Sabita threw one final glare at Elizabeth. The girl immediately ran inside her room.
Shihab went toward the gate to see what had happened.
The moment he stepped outside—
he froze.
Five black Mercedes-Benz cars stood lined up outside the gate. Men dressed in black stepped out, each carrying weapons. They spread out in two lines, creating a path between them.
Then the rear door opened.
Richard Kayanad stepped out.
Dressed entirely in black.
The top buttons of his shirt were open, exposing part of his broad chest. His expression was calm—too calm. But the coldness in his eyes made the air feel heavier.
He walked straight through the line of guards.
Each step was slow.
Measured.
As though the world moved only when he allowed it.
He stopped in front of Iqbal.
The older man swallowed hard, forcing himself to speak.
"Who are you?"
Richard looked directly into his eyes.
His lips curved into a faint smile, but there was nothing kind about it.
The rain fell harder around them.
Then, in a low, chilling voice, he said—
"I came for your daughter."
Silence.
The entire house seemed to stop breathing.
Inside her room, Elizabeth stood frozen behind the curtain, hearing every word.
Her heart pounded wildly.
She didn't know why—
but the moment she heard that voice again, something inside her trembled.
Not fear.
Not exactly.
Something far more dangerous.
Richard's deep blue eyes moved past Iqbal.
And locked onto the upstairs window.
He knew she was there.
Watching him.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
Then he said—
"Send Red to me."
Part 3.....