The breakfast table gleamed under the golden morning light that streamed through the enormous glass windows. The dining room at the Raaz Singh estate was nothing short of majestic. Aanya sat at the far end, her posture stiff, eyes low, fiddling nervously with the edge of her dupatta. Raaz, as usual, was seated across from her, calm, unreadable, and ever watchful. The silence between them was stretched taut like a rope ready to snap.

Her brother, Avi, was seated beside her, barely containing his excitement as he poked at the elaborate breakfast in front of him. Aanya glanced at him, her heart twisting. He didn’t understand what was happening. He thought this was a momentary stay. A shelter. A reprieve.