Chapter 4: The Great Escape Plan - Studying Abroad Previously...

A Decision That Changes Everything

The next morning, Diya sat in the Malhotra family's lavish breakfast hall, poking at her food with zero appetite.

Because she had made a decision.

She was getting out.

Sia, the real character in the book, had wasted her entire life chasing after Abeer.

Diya? Not happening.

She grabbed her phone and started typing an email. Application for MBA – London Business School.

That was it.

A different country. A different life. A world where Abeer Rathore and his gun-toting mafia friends did not exist.

She smiled to herself. "Diya, you genius."

Aunties gossiped in the background, uncles talked business, but Diya stayed focused on her escape plan.

Until—

"What's with the smile?"

Diya stiffened.

Oh no. Not him.

She turned slowly.

Abeer Rathore stood near the entrance, watching her with unreadable eyes.

Dressed in another tailored black kurta, his sharp features unsettlingly calm.

He looks like a villain in a Bhansali movie.

She forced a polite smile. "Just thinking about my future."

Abeer tilted his head. "Your future?"

Oh God. Why does he sound so suspicious?!

Diya cleared her throat. "Yes! I've decided. I'm moving abroad."

The table fell silent.

Her mother, Sunita Malhotra, dropped her spoon.

"Beta, abroad? MBA? Yeh sab itne achanak?"

Diya nodded eagerly. "Haan, Maa! Main London Business School ke liye apply kar rahi hoon."

Abeer's jaw tightened.

Something flickered in his dark eyes. Surprise? Irritation? Amusement?

Sunita gasped dramatically. "Beta, shaadi ka kya?"

Diya froze.

Right. The book version of Sia was supposed to get engaged soon.

She forced a laugh. "Maa, MBA first. Shaadi never."

Abeer's grip on his glass tightened.

But his voice? Calm. Too calm.

"You don't like it here?"

Diya hesitated. Why did it feel like she was stepping into a trap?

She shrugged, casually sipping her coffee. "I just don't see the point in staying. There's nothing here for me."

The unspoken words hung in the air.

Not even you.

Abeer Rathore, the arrogant, untouchable king of the underworld, was being told directly to his face that she wasn't interested.

For the first time ever—Sia Malhotra was walking away.

A moment of tense silence.

Then, Abeer leaned back, smirking.

"Hm."

That was it. Just 'Hm'.

WHAT DOES 'HM' EVEN MEAN?!

She ignored him and turned to Sunita. "Maa, I'll start packing tomorrow."

Sunita sighed dramatically and muttered something about "nalli bacchi" and "London ke mausam se pareshaan ho jaayegi."

Diya didn't care.

She was leaving.

For good.

But just as she got up, Abeer spoke—quiet, amused, and just a little too soft.

"Let's see if you can."

Diya's stomach dropped.

She turned. "Excuse me?"

Abeer Rathore simply smirked, swirling his coffee, looking completely unbothered.

"Let's see if you can leave."

Why did that sound like a threat?

Diya forced a confident laugh. "What? You think I can't get into London Business School?"

Abeer took a slow sip of his coffee. "Oh, I have no doubt you'll get in."

He set the cup down.

"But leaving? That's another story."

Cold. Amused. Dangerous.

Diya's pulse spiked.

Was he—was he planning to stop her?!

She glared. "Abeer, you don't control my life."

One side of his lips curled up. "Oh?"

Diya's breath hitched.

Get out, Diya. GET OUT NOW.

She turned on her heels, walking away.

She wasn't looking back.

Not this time.

Next Chapter Preview:Diya prepares to leave—but mysterious 'obstacles' start appearing.Abeer remains unreadable, but she suspects he's interfering.A final confrontation—who will win, Diya's willpower or Abeer's control?