Chapter 19: Trapped Between Love and War

The room was dead silent.

The only sound was Diya's pounding heartbeat.

Tara's brother, Kiaan Vaidya, stood in the doorway. Cold. Calculated. Dangerous.

His gun was aimed directly at Abeer's chest.

Diya's stomach twisted.

"Kiaan," she whispered, stepping forward. "You don't have to—"

"Don't." His voice was flat. Emotionless.

His dark gaze cut through her.

"You really think I don't know what's going on?" he said quietly. "You think I don't know what you've done?"

Diya froze.

"What are you talking about?" she demanded.

Kiaan's lips curled into a humorless smirk.

"You let my sister die."

Diya's breath hitched. "No—I didn't—"

Kiaan's finger tightened on the trigger.

"You chose him over her," he spat. "And now, you're going to pay for it."

Before Diya could react—

Abeer moved.

Faster than she could process.

One second he was standing beside her—

The next, he had lunged forward, grabbing the gun, twisting it out of Kiaan's hand.

Kiaan fought back.

The two men crashed into the wall, fists flying, the sound of violence echoing through the safehouse.

Diya staggered back, her mind racing.

She had to do something.

Her eyes darted to the gun that had fallen to the floor.

Her only chance.

She lunged for it.

But before she could grab it, Kiaan kicked her back.

Pain exploded in her ribs.

She gasped, falling to the ground.

"Diya!" Abeer's voice was pure rage.

Kiaan took advantage of the distraction, landing a brutal punch to Abeer's jaw.

Abeer stumbled—but only for a second.

Then he grabbed Kiaan by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

His voice was deadly.

"You want revenge?" Abeer whispered. "Then take your best shot."

Kiaan spat blood.

"I don't need to kill you, Rathore," he hissed.

His gaze flickered to Diya.

"Not when I can kill her instead."

Everything stopped.

A chill ran down Diya's spine.

Kiaan wasn't here for Abeer.

He was here for her.

Abeer's fingers tightened around Kiaan's throat.

"You won't touch her."

Kiaan laughed. "You really think you can protect her forever?"

A muscle in Abeer's jaw ticked.

Diya saw it then.

The rage in his eyes.

The fear.

Abeer wasn't just fighting to win.

He was fighting to keep her.

And for the first time—Diya realized she wanted to stay.

Not because she needed protection.

Not because of the danger.

Because of him.

Diya took a deep breath.

Then—she picked up the gun.

Pointed it at Kiaan.

His eyes widened slightly.

A smirk played at his lips. "You wouldn't shoot me."

Diya's hands shook.

Abeer turned to her.

For the first time, his expression wasn't smug. Wasn't teasing.

It was raw. Unreadable.

"Jaan," he said softly. "Put the gun down."

Her breath came out shaky.

"If I let him live," she whispered, "he'll come back."

Abeer's jaw tightened.

She wasn't wrong.

Kiaan wasn't going to stop.

Abeer knew it.

Kiaan knew it.

And Diya knew it too.

So she had two choices.

Become a killer.

Or let Abeer do it for her.

Diya exhaled.

Lowered the gun.

And whispered, "Do it."

Abeer froze.

Then, slowly—he smirked.

"As you wish, jaan."

BANG.

The bullet hit Kiaan's leg.

He screamed, collapsing to the ground.

Abeer crouched down beside him, his expression pure ice.

"You live today," he murmured.

"But if you ever come near her again—"

He lifted the gun. Pressed it against Kiaan's forehead.

"I won't miss next time."

Kiaan gritted his teeth.

"You think you've won?" he rasped.

Abeer chuckled darkly.

"Jaan," he said smoothly, turning to Diya. "Have we won?"

Diya lifted her chin.

"Not yet," she said.

Kiaan laughed.

"You two deserve each other," he muttered. "You're both monsters."

Abeer grinned.

"Finally, something we agree on."

And then—he knocked Kiaan unconscious.

Silence fell over the room.

Diya's hands were still shaking.

Abeer turned to her, his smirk fading.

"You okay, jaan?"

Diya exhaled. "I don't know."

Abeer watched her carefully.

"You told me to kill him."

Diya swallowed.

"I told you to protect me," she corrected.

Abeer's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile.

"And you trust me to do that?"

Diya's chest rose and fell too fast.

"I shouldn't," she whispered.

Abeer stepped closer.

"But you do."

His fingers brushed her wrist, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

Diya hated how much she craved it.

She should have pushed him away.

Instead, she let him come closer.

And closer.

Until his lips were inches from hers.

"You're mine now, jaan," Abeer murmured.

Diya's breath hitched.

She should have said no.

She should have walked away.

But instead—

She whispered, "I know."

And this time—

When Abeer kissed her—

She kissed him back.