His arms stiffened slightly—not from fear, not from hesitation, but from the weight of her plea. And then she broke. The dam inside her collapsed.

"Please... don't leave me alone," she sobbed, clinging to his shirt with fingers that were more bones than skin. "I'll do everything, I promise. I won't shout, I won't cry. I'll be good... I'll work, I'll stay quiet... I won't even bother you. Just—" her breath hitched violently, "just don't leave me here. Not here. Not alone..."

Each word tumbled out like shattered glass from a bleeding mouth, sharp and desperate and horrifyingly sincere. She wasn't begging for comfort. She was pleading for survival.

Maybe she didn't even realize what she was saying. Maybe her mind was reaching for anything, any promise that could convince him to stay.

Suddenly, with a force that stole the breath from his lungs, Saanjh leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him — tightly.

And Arjun...

Arjun froze.

.

.

I ended the call. My phone lowered, but my breath didn't ease.

Because I knew—

This was only the beginning.

And when I find them...

They'll understand what it means to be hunted by a man who has nothing to lose — but everything to protect.