AUTHOR'S POV

Kavya's heels clicked against the marble floor of The Shining Star headquarters, each step echoing like a countdown she couldn't escape.

At 25, she was already the CEO of one of Delhi's fastest-growing design companies. To the outside world, she was confident, composed, untouchable. But inside... inside was a storm she rarely let anyone see.

Birthdays had never been a celebration for her. Not since that fateful day when she had lost everything. A smile on her face was a mask she wore with precision, hiding years of pain, fear, and endless nights spent running from shadows only she could see.

She walked past her employees, her eyes scanning every detail of the office she had built from scratch. Designs, deadlines, decisions-this was her world. Here, she was in control. Here, no one could hurt her.

And yet...

As she glanced at her reflection in the glass wall of her office, she caught a glimpse of the girl she had once been -a girl who had survived more than anyone could imagine, who had run from orphanages, from nightmares, from a past she didn't want to remember. Her chest tightened, her breaths coming a little too fast. She shook her head, dismissing it. Not here.

Not now.

Her phone buzzed. Another email. Another meeting. Another reminder that in this world, strength was survival-and survival was all that mattered.

                     Kavya's POV

And then the email. My jaw tightened. Court notice. Against my company.

Why? Why now?

Tring. Tring.

The phone call cut through my spiraling thoughts. NAVIKA-my secretary-was on the line.

"Ma'am, Mr. Kanish Jain is trying to criminate our company for something we haven't done," Navika said, her voice sharp with tension. "They've told the media and the court that we're involved in digital piracy-and somehow, they even have proof."

My fingers clenched around the phone.

Not out of fear... but anger. Pure, burning anger.

How dare they?

"Find out how they got the proof," I ordered, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "And hire the best lawyer. I won't let anything happen to this company." I ended the call.

My eyes scanned the office once more. Every design, every deadline, every decision-this was my world. And now, someone dared to threaten it.

Little did I know, fate had already started moving in the shadows. The person who would shake my carefully controlled life, challenge me, protect me... and make my heart ache in ways I never imagined... was closer than I thought.

For the first time in years, the walls I had built around myself felt fragile.

I knew that I could not fail. Not now after all the survivals which were way too hard then this I could not fail at this point. In the crime that I haven't even done.

"Kanish Jain now all these cheap plays are not going to work. I will bring your truth in front of the world." I muttered to myself. It was more of a promise than just a group of simple words.

*In the evening*

I was working overtime. I was busy reading the reports when a sound interrupted.

It was a knock on the door. "Come in" I said without losing my focus and it was Navika. I was still busy in my task that I didn't even dared to glance once.

I identified that it is her with the sound of her walking after all she is working with me for almost one and a half year. She is the most loyal employee till now.

"Ma'am this is Mr. Rudra Singhania.

The best lawyer of the country." As the word Mr. left her mouth I clenched. I feared. By the time I glanced above the the report Navika had already left.

"Hello Ma'am. I am Rudra Singhania."

He introduced himself. For a moment I was not able to breathe. Not because I got captivated by his hotness. Never...

For a split second, my chest tightened. His voice. His presence. He reminded me of him. The one who had destroyed me. My body froze, breath uneven, panic crawling up my spine. I stood up from my chair panic rising through My body. I started taking steps back not knowing how to run from here.

                Rudra's POV

The moment I introduced myself she stiffened as if I am going to kill her. She stood from her chair and started taking steps backward. I was confused. I was keeping a respectful distance not even trying to make her uncomfortable.

She started taking steps backward and then

Boom.....

She collided with the glass wall. As I took a step to help her sh-she seemed so tense. Panic rising through her. I got some water from the table in her cabin near the couch. As I turned to get the water I heard a voice. It was her.

Yes her. She fainted with sweat rising all over her face.

The moment she collapsed, something inside me snapped. I didn't think twice. I scooped her into my arms and ran-not caring about the stares, not caring about the whispers. All I knew was she wasn't fine. And I needed to make sure she would be.

inside me snapped. I didn't think twice.

I scooped her into my arms and ran-not caring about the stares, not caring about the whispers. All I knew was she wasn't fine. And I needed to make sure she would be.

I exit the office and head to the hospital. I didn't know what to do so I called NAVIKA.

Yes her secretary. The doctor came out and cleared that it was a panic attack.

"P-Panick Attack?" I repeated. When the doctor nodded I was completely shocked. She was the CEO of one of Delhi's most powerful design companies-and yet, she looked so breakable. So fragile. So human.

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So that's all for today. Give your feedback guyss. I will update the next chapter tomorrow. B-byee 💋 🫶🏻 ✨

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