Chapter 14: Bound by Fire and Fate

Diya stared at herself in the mirror.

Lips swollen. Skin flushed.

Her fingers brushed her neck, where Abeer's lips had been just hours ago.

Her body still burned from his touch.

The worst part?

She wanted more.

Her phone buzzed.

A single message from an unknown number.

"Tara is missing. You're next."

Diya's stomach dropped.

She scrambled to call Tara. No answer.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Tara had spent weeks warning her, telling her Abeer was dangerous.

And now?

She had vanished.

What did she know?

And more importantly—who wanted her gone?

Before Diya could think, her phone buzzed again.

Abeer Rathore.

She hesitated. If he had something to do with Tara's disappearance...?

Her fingers trembled as she picked up. "What?"

A deep chuckle. Smooth, dark, completely unbothered.

"Morning, jaan."

Diya's pulse spiked. "Don't call me that."

Abeer sighed, completely ignoring her words. "You left last night in a hurry."

Diya gritted her teeth. "Oh, I'm sorry. Should I have stayed to discuss real estate after you kissed me senseless?"

Another chuckle. "You're adorable when you're mad."

"Abeer—"

"Pack a bag," he interrupted.

Diya froze. "Excuse me?"

"You're coming with me."

Her stomach twisted. "The hell I am."

Abeer exhaled like he was already bored of her resistance.

"Jaan, Tara is missing."

Diya's breath hitched. He knew.

"I can protect you," Abeer murmured. "But not if you keep fighting me."

Diya clenched her jaw. "And if I say no?"

Silence.

Then—his voice dropped.

"You won't."

Her fingers curled around the phone. God, she hated him.

Hated that he was always one step ahead.

Hated that a small, terrifying part of her felt safer with him.

And that's what made him truly dangerous.

An hour later, Diya found herself in Abeer's car, speeding down an empty highway.

She refused to look at him.

Refused to acknowledge the way his presence made the air feel thick.

Abeer, of course, was completely relaxed, like a king watching his empire from the throne.

"Where are we going?" she finally asked.

Abeer kept his eyes on the road. "Somewhere safe."

Diya scoffed. "You're not exactly what I'd call 'safe.'"

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Yet, here you are."

Her fingers tightened into fists. Damn him.

A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a secluded villa—modern, sleek, completely private.

Diya's heartbeat stuttered.

He was keeping her here.

Alone.

With him.

Abeer opened her door, his gaze dark and unreadable.

"Welcome home, jaan."

The villa was breathtaking.

Floor-to-ceiling windows, a balcony overlooking the ocean, the faint scent of cinnamon and expensive cologne.

Abeer handed her a glass of wine. "Drink."

Diya crossed her arms. "Not until you tell me the truth."

Abeer smirked, swirling his own glass. "Which truth, jaan?"

She glared. "Where is Tara?"

A pause.

Then, a dark amusement flickered in his gaze.

"You still don't get it, do you?"

Diya's pulse spiked. "Get what?"

Abeer took a slow sip of his drink, then set the glass down, walking toward her.

"You're not here because Tara is missing," he murmured. "You're here because of who you really are."

Diya's heart stopped.

Abeer reached out, fingers brushing the pulse at her throat.

"You think this is a game, jaan?" His voice dropped to a whisper.

Diya's breath came out shaky. "I—"

Abeer tipped her chin up.

"I know, Diya."

Her stomach dropped. "You... know what?"

Abeer's lips ghosted over hers.

"That you don't belong here."

Diya staggered back.

No. No, no, no.

He couldn't know.

He couldn't know she wasn't really Sia.

She had hidden it. She had—

Abeer chuckled, watching her fall apart.

"You time-traveled into this world, didn't you?"

Her lungs locked.

"You wrote this story," Abeer continued, his voice laced with something dark.

"And now? You're living it."

Diya felt her knees weaken.

How did he—?

Abeer smirked, tilting his head.

"Surprised?"

Diya couldn't breathe.

He knew.

ABEER RATHORE KNEW THE TRUTH.

And the worst part?

He had known all along.