"Sometimes, the ghosts we buried come back dressed in silk and secrets."
---
KnightCorp – 2 Days Later
The atmosphere in the office had shifted. The usual hush of professional routine was now punctuated by tension—something unseen, but deeply felt.
Malishka entered the elevator, her eyes catching Aaryan's in the glass reflection.
"She knows," he said simply, before she could ask.
Malishka raised a brow. "Who?"
"Devika Knight. His mother. She's back in the city."
The elevator dinged. Neither moved.
"You think she's part of this?" Malishka asked.
"I think in this world, blood doesn't always mean safety."
---
Knight Mansion – Secret Room
Devika Knight sat by the grand piano, her fingers gently pressing forgotten melodies into the air. She looked like royalty carved from storm clouds—elegant, composed, and deeply dangerous.
Rivan entered silently.
"You're back." His voice was blank.
"You always did prefer silence over greetings," she said, not turning.
"You shouldn't have come."
Devika finally looked up. "I was summoned, Rivan. There's a difference."
He stared at her. "By whom?"
She gave a tight smile. "Let's just say your father isn't the only one who keeps his knives polished."
He crossed the room in three strides. "You think they'll come after Malishka?"
"I know they will," she said. "Because the last time, they came for me."
---
Malishka's Apartment – That Evening
Malishka stared at her laptop screen, but the words were just shapes.
She thought about Rhea's warning, about her own heart that had somehow slid back into danger. She thought about Devika Knight—this mysterious woman with shadows in her eyes.
Her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number:
"Don't trust the ones who smile the softest."
She swallowed hard. Then her doorbell rang.
It was Rivan.
"Pack a bag. You're not staying here tonight."
Malishka blinked. "Where are we going?"
"Somewhere safe."
"You said I was safe with you."
He looked at her.
"You are. But now, it's war."
---
Flashback – Devika's Past
Blood on the ballroom floor. Screams muffled by violin strings.
A young Devika, dressed in red, dragged a blade across the marble, protecting a child.
Raunak stepped over the bodies like they were rose petals.
"She'll survive," he said coldly.
"She's my daughter," Devika had snapped.
Raunak's gaze was unforgiving. "She's a Knight. And love doesn't exist for us."
Devika wiped her tears with a diamond-studded glove.
But her heart had never healed from that night.
---
KnightCorp – Midnight
Rivan stood on the rooftop of the building, the city lights glinting below.
Malishka joined him, wrapped in his blazer.
He didn't speak at first. Then quietly:
"There's a file in my office drawer. It lists every person I've hurt, every deal I've made, every lie I've buried."
She looked at him.
"I don't want to read that."
"You should."
"No," she said firmly. "I don't want to read the man you were. I want to know the man you are now."
Rivan closed his eyes. "I don't deserve you."
Malishka smiled faintly. "No. But I'm here anyway."
Their fingers brushed.
And for a moment, the war paused.
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