13. The truth!

YUVRAAJ SINGHANIA'S POV

As Ayaan leaves the study room, Ilya, who's been standing guard outside, gives him a cold, hard stare. Ayaan returns the glare, his eyes flashing with anger, but he says nothing and storms off down the hallway.

I watch the exchange through the open doorway, my expression neutral. But inside, I'm seething. What is Ayaan's problem, anyway? Can't he see I'm trying to protect him?

Ilya steps into the study room, his eyes narrowing. "Yuvraaj, I am sorry. I lose my cool."

I wave a hand, dismissing his apology. "Just deal with Ayaan, Ilya. Make sure he doesn't get into trouble."

Ilya's gaze lingers on me, but he nods and turns to leave. "Consider it done, Yuvraaj."

As he exits the room, I'm left alone with my thoughts. And one thought in particular is nagging at me: who the hell is following ayaan?

My eyes narrow as I watch Ilya leave the study room. He's been acting strange all day, and now that I think about it, he seemed particularly worked up when I mentioned Inayat's name. A spark of suspicion ignites within me.

Why would Ilya be so affected by Inayat's name? Unless... unless he's hiding something.

My mind starts racing with possibilities. Could Ilya be involved in Inayat's pregnancy somehow? No, that's impossible. Ilya would never betray me like that... would he?

I push the thought aside, but it lingers in the back of my mind. I need to keep an eye on Ilya, see if he slips up and reveals anything.

Just then, my phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number. "Look closer at Ilya," it reads.

My eyes snap back to the door, where Ilya had just exited. What is going on?

I scowl at the text, my mind racing with possibilities. Who could be behind this? And what do they want me to do? Remove Ilya from my side? Never. Ilya has been with me through thick and thin, and I trust him with my life.

But the seed of doubt has been planted. Ilya's behavior has been strange lately, and now this text... I need to get to the bottom of this.

I dial a number, and a familiar voice answers. "Makhija, I need you to investigate something for me. I think someone's trying to manipulate me, make me doubt Ilya's loyalty."

Makhija's voice is calm and collected. "I'm on it, Yuvraaj. But be careful, okay? If someone's playing games with you, we don't know what their end goal is."

I nod, even though he can't see me. "I will. Keep me updated."

As I hang up the phone, my eyes drift back to the door. Ilya's still out there, watching my back. But for how much longer?

I head to Inayat's room, my mind racing with questions. What does she know about Ilya's behavior? Is she involved in this manipulation somehow?

I enter her room, and she looks up from her book, a innocent expression on her face. "Yuvraaj, what's up?"

I sit down beside her, my eyes scanning her face. "Inayat, I need to ask you something. Do you know anything about Ilya's behavior lately? He's been acting strange, and I got a weird text message implying I should remove him from my side."

Inayat's expression changes, a flicker of fear crossing her face before she quickly covers it up. "I don't know what you're talking about, Yuvraaj."

I raise an eyebrow, skeptical. "Inayat, don't play dumb. I know you're hiding something. And I know Ilya's involved in this somehow."

Inayat's expression turns cold, and she crosses her arms. "I'm not hiding anything, Yuvraaj. And even if I was, I wouldn't tell you. You've been acting so weird lately, accusing everyone of lying to you. Maybe you're the one who's lost your mind."

I feel a surge of anger at her words, but I keep my cool. "Inayat, don't push me. I'm trying to protect you and this family. If you're not going to cooperate, then maybe you're the one who's against me."

My voice is low and even, but there's an underlying tension that I can't hide. "Inayat, tell me the truth. Who is the father of your child?"

Inayat's eyes dart around the room, as if searching for an escape route. She opens her mouth to speak, but no words come out. She tries again, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don't know what you're talking about, Yuvraaj."

I sigh, my patience wearing thin. "Don't lie to me, Inayat. I know you're pregnant, and I know Ayaan is not the father. Who is it?"

Inayat's face crumbles, and she buries her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. I wait for her to compose herself, my mind racing with possibilities.

Finally, she looks up, her eyes red and puffy. "Ilya," she whispers. "Ilya is the father."

My world stops. Ilya? My trusted bodyguard? The one person I thought I could rely on? No, it can't be.

My phone rings in my pocket, and I answer it to hear Makhija's voice on the other end.

"Yuvraaj, I've got some news," Makhija says, his tone serious. "I tracked down the number that sent you those messages, and I think you should know who's behind it."

My grip on the phone tightens as i listens intently.

"Who is it?" I demands.

"It's Ayaan's twin brother, Abhimann," Makhija reveals. "I know, I know, it's a shock. But hear me out. Abhimann is a newbie in the mafia, and he's trying to prove himself. I think he's behind the messages and the stalking."

.

.

.

~to be continued