Sasmita's hands were still shaking.
The message from the unknown number kept flashing in her mind.
"Stay away from Srikant. Or you will regret it."
She tried to focus on her lecture, but her voice was no longer steady. The students noticed.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" one of them asked.
She forced a smile. "Yes."
But she wasn't okay.
When class ended, she slowly walked toward the college gate.
Across the road—
The same black SUV.
Engine running.
Windows slightly tinted.
Someone inside was watching her.
Her heartbeat became louder with every step.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
Srikant.
She answered immediately.
"Why didn't you listen to me?" His voice was sharp.
"You knew?" she whispered.
"I told you to stay home."
"So it's true… this is because of you."
Silence.
"Go back inside the campus," he ordered.
Before she could argue, the SUV door opened.
Two men stepped out.
They didn't look normal. Their expressions were cold.
Sasmita instinctively stepped backward.
Within seconds—
A black luxury car stopped between her and the men.
Srikant stepped out.
His eyes were no longer soft.
They were dangerous.
He walked toward the men slowly.
The two men hesitated.
"Tell your boss," Srikant said calmly, "if he wants to reach me, he doesn't need to use her."
The air felt heavy.
The men looked uncomfortable… almost afraid.
One of them spoke carefully, "King, you're crossing limits."
The word echoed in Sasmita's ears.
King.
She froze.
Srikant's jaw tightened.
"Leave."
And they left.
Just like that.
No fight.
No argument.
Only fear.
Sasmita stared at him.
"King?" she asked softly.
For a moment, he didn't look at her.
Then he turned.
"You weren't supposed to hear that."
"Who are you, Srikant?"
This time, her voice wasn't angry.
It was hurt.
He stepped closer, lowering his tone.
"I'm someone who built an empire in a world you don't belong to."
Her eyes filled with confusion.
"Are you… a criminal?"
He didn't answer directly.
Instead, he said—
"I protect what is mine."
The possessiveness in his voice made her heart tremble.
"But I'm not yours," she said, almost breaking.
For the first time, his expression changed.
Not anger.
Pain.
"You are the only thing in my life that isn't built on fear."
The words hit her deeply.
Sirens were heard in the distance.
The tension in the air grew heavier.
"If you stay with me," he continued softly, "your life won't be simple anymore."
She felt trapped between two tracks.
One led to safety without love.
The other led to him… into darkness.
He opened the car door for her.
"Last chance, Sasmita. Step away from this train."
She looked at him.
Then at the road.
Then back into his eyes.
And slowly…
She sat inside the car.
Because sometimes, the heart chooses danger over