The room was silent.
The marriage contract still lay on the table between Aryan Malhotra and Anaya Sen.
Anaya stared at the paper for a long moment.
Then she pushed it away.
"No."
Aryan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"No?" he repeated calmly.
"I will not marry a stranger… especially a mafia boss," Anaya said firmly.
For a few seconds no one spoke.
The guards looked nervous.
Usually when someone refused Aryan Malhotra… things ended badly.
But Aryan simply smiled.
"You think this is a choice?" he asked quietly.
Anaya lifted her chin.
"Yes."
Aryan leaned closer.
"Then try leaving."
Late that night…
The mansion was quiet.
Security guards were standing outside the gates.
But Anaya was not the type to give up easily.
She quietly opened the balcony door of her room.
Below… a garden.
A high wall.
But still possible.
"This is my only chance," she whispered.
She climbed down carefully using the balcony railing.
Her heart was beating fast.
Step by step she reached the ground.
No alarms.
No guards.
She ran toward the gate.
Freedom was just a few meters away.
Suddenly—
Headlights flashed.
A black car stopped in front of her.
The door opened.
And stepping out calmly was Aryan Malhotra.
He looked completely unsurprised.
"Going somewhere?" he asked.
Anaya froze.
"How did you know?"
Aryan walked toward her slowly.
"In my house," he said softly,
"nothing happens without my knowledge."
Anaya clenched her fists.
"You can't keep me here forever."
Aryan stopped in front of her.
His voice became cold.
"I was trying to protect you."
Before she could reply—
Gunshots echoed in the distance.
BANG!
BANG!
The guards suddenly shouted.
"Boss! Attack!"
Several black SUVs crashed through the outer gate.
Masked men with guns rushed inside.
Aryan's expression turned deadly serious.
"They found you faster than I expected," he muttered.
Anaya looked terrified.
"Who are they?"
Aryan grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him.
"The people who want you dead."
More gunshots filled the night.
Aryan looked back at her.
"Now tell me," he said calmly.
"Do you still want to leave my protection?"
To be continued…