A secure, untraceable call connected Ayaan to Suryadev late at night. For a few seconds, neither spoke. The silence itself felt like a battlefield, years of rivalry, betrayal and buried rage stood between them.
Finally, Ayaan’s calm voice broke through the silence like a blade. “I’ll get straight to the point, Mr. Suryadev.”
Suryadev scoffed softly. “For someone who nearly dismantled my world, you sound remarkably composed.”
“I’m offering you an exit. I’ll back off from everything I have been doing against you. My moves, my pressure, my allies. Even my mother will withdraw from the elections.” Ayaan replied evenly and that caught Suryadev’s attention.
“You expect me to believe that?” he asked cautiously.
Ayaan continued without pause. “I will also surrender every piece of evidence I hold against you. Financial records, testimonies and your involvement with the terrorist group everything.”
The line went quiet. Suryadev’s breathing was audible now as he thought about Ayaan’s words.
“And what’s the deal ? I m sure your wouldn’t offer this expecting nothing in return ” he finally said.
“I want evidence, a concrete proof of Nafel Razaq’s involvement in the bomb blast.” Ayaan said, his voice turned razor-sharp.
Suryadev stiffened at his words. “That’s a serious accusation. You know who he is ? “
“I know exactly how serious it is and it is not a damn accusation. Its the truth that you confessed on your own ” Ayaan barked and the line turned pause, a longer one this time.
Then Suryadev exhaled heavily. “It was Nafel and his father. They planned it together. The target was your mother Vaishnavi Rey. They wanted her eliminated. They believed her influence was becoming a threat since she was the reason your father backed off from doing business with them and I… I only facilitated certain channels. I never ordered the blast.” Suryadev confessed.
“Save the justifications, I want documents, communication logs, financial transfers and witnesses, anything that legally ties Nafel and his father to the assassination attempt.” Ayaan said coldly.
“You will have it but once I hand it over, you keep your word.” Suryadev said after a moment and Ayaan smirked that the trap is set.
“I always do, the sooner you deliver the evidence, the sooner I act from my end. Until then, everything stays exactly where it is.” Ayaan replied.
“And if I delay?” Suryadev asked cautiously though he knew the consequences.
Ayaan’s tone dropped, lethal in its calm. “Then I will not just destroy your political career. I will erase what’s left of your legacy.” he said and cut the call leaving no room for further discussion.
Ayaan stared at the dark screen, his reflection stared back at him, focused and unflinching. The game had shifted again. And this time, he was playing both sides to burn the right one.
Two days later a secure virtual meeting was arranged between Ayaan and Nafel. Ayaan chose to attend it from his yacht, drifting quietly over open waters, far from surveillance, far from traceable walls. Ishaan sat beside him, composed and observant, while Sameer stood a step behind them.
The screen flickered to life and Nafel Razaq’s face appeared on the screen and voice echoed through the speakers.
” “As-salam alaykum”, Mr. Ayaan Rey and Ishaan Rey. I must admit, Mr. Ayaan, I’m surprised by this call. You have been actively expanding with Dario across multiple countries. From what I know, you had no reason to look in my direction.” Nafel’s tone shifted with curiosity seeping in.
Ayaan leaned back slightly, fingers steepled, his expression was calm but unreadable. ” Wa alaykum as-salam Mr.Nafel. I don’t make sudden decisions, I make calculated ones. And this isn’t a change of mind, it’s a strategic correction.” he said evenly.
Nafel let out a soft chuckle hearing his words. “Interesting choice of words. So tell me, why now?”
“Because I have a reason and what I’m offering isn’t just a deal. It’s an exchange.” Ayaan replied that made Nafel pause.
“Go on,” Nafel said cautiously.
Ayaan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he tapped a button and a recording filled the space with Suryadev’s voice.
“…It was Nafel. Nafel and his father planned it together. The target was your mother Vaishani Rey. They wanted her eliminated…”
The audio cut off and the silence that followed was heavy.
Nafel’s expression hardened. “You recorded him ? ” he asked flatly.
“I anticipated him, there’s a difference.” Ayaan corrected coolly.
Ishaan watched closely as Nafel recalibrated, his eyes narrowed with calculation rather than panic.
“So, you came to me with a business proposal… while holding this.” Nafel said slowly and Ayaan leaned forward and forearms rested on his knees.
“I came to you with leverage. Business is just the surface.” he said, his voice steady but lethal.
Nafel scoffed lightly. “That recording alone won’t bury me.” he said with a chuckle.
Ayaan smiled faintly. “I know. That’s why I’m not using it against you. The deal is, I’m willing to do business with you. A Long-term, large-scale business. And if required, I’m even prepared to dissolve my partnership with Dario.” Ayaan said that caught Nafel off guard and a silence that followed was heavy.
Nafel’s eyes narrowed as he looked at his father beside him. “You don’t walk away from Dario unless the price is worth it. So tell me, what do you want in return?” Nafel asked in return.
Ayaan’s gaze hardened and his voice dropped a degree colder. “You bring Suryadev down in the elections. Withdraw your support, dismantle his funding channels, turn his allies against him. Make sure he loses, cleanly, visibly, irreversibly. I want every piece of evidence you hold against Suryadev. Financial trails, illegal funding records, offshore accounts, his complete history with the terrorist group……..everything. And I want it released publicly, one day before the election.” Ayaan added as a final nail to the coffin.
Ishaan finally spoke. “You know how much influence you hold, Nafel. Use it.”
Nafel’s jaw tightened. “You are asking me to sacrifice a man who once protected my interests. We have been partners for two decades “
“I’m asking you to sacrifice a man who will eventually sacrifice you. He’s already bargaining with his enemies ” Ayaan replied without missing a beat and Nafel leaned back knowing Ayaan was right.
“You are ruthless, Ayaan Rey.” he said.
Ayaan’s gaze didn’t waver. “No, I’m precise.” he said quietly.
Nafel looked away for a moment, turning his attention to his father then back at the screen. He remained silent for a few seconds, weighing the risk.
After a long pause, Nafel exhaled slowly. “And in return, you do business with me… and walk away from Dario?” he asked as if assuring.
“Yes, you gain my market reach, my influence and my silence on everything else.” Ayaan replied without hesitation.
The screen stayed quiet, Nafel’s fingers tapping slowly against his desk.
“This is business and words alone hold no power. I believe you understand that, Mr. Ayaan,” Nafel said.
Ayaan chuckled softly in response. “You will receive an order from my representative for my Italian venture. That should be assurance enough that I’m serious.”
“Consider the deal is on the moment the order is completed,” Nafel replied.
“We’ll meet after the elections to open the gateway in my home country. It’s only fair we meet face-to-face before entering a partnership of that scale.” Ayaan said and Nafel nodded in agreement.
The call ended soon after and Ishaan felt proud seeing his brother. “You just turned predator against predator.” he said and Ayaan smiled at his words.
Later Ayaan and Ishaan stood on the deck of the yacht, glasses in hand, the cool breeze carried the scent of the sea. Above them, the sky stretched endlessly, stars scattered like quiet witnesses.
Ishaan took a slow sip. “It’s done and they would fall straight into the death “
“Yes, but it doesn’t feel like victory yet. We still have cards to play, to ensure we leave no gate open for that bastard ” Ayaan said softly.
Ishaan pat his shoulder and they sipped the drink. Ayaan groaned downed the drink into the ocean.
” We couldn’t bring our mobiles and I’m missing home.” Ayaan groaned and Ishaan chuckled at his brother.
Ayaan smiled faintly, the image of Zara’s face clear in his mind, Rehan and Zavi’s laughter echoed in his heart. He couldn’t wait to return home, to his home……..his Zara.
At the manor, the twins had been unusually restless since the moment Ayaan had left. Rehan and Zavi crawled across the room, in the closet, their little eyes searching, turning at every sound as if expecting their father to appear. Zara, Reyansh and Vaishu took turns carrying them, trying to distract them, pointing out toys, windows, even the garden but the babies knew.
They didn’t cry loudly instead, they fussed in their own way, whimpering, clinging, refusing to settle. Zara’s heart ached watching them look around with such expectation.
New toys were brought in with more bright colors, the ones that made more sound, played music. Zara and Vaishu let them play freely, letting curiosity take over for a while. Reyansh watched quietly as the twins exhausted themselves, crawling, babbling, throwing toys around. Eventually, worn out by their own restlessness, Rehan and Zavi fell asleep in Zara and Vaishu’s lap, their tiny hands still clutched the toys.
The next evening Ayaan and Ishaan finally returned to the mansion.
Instead of heading straight to the nursery, Ayaan paused and entered a guest room in his wing, to freshen up and steady himself. He knew Zara would be with the twins. He wanted to see them calm, not startled by his sudden presence. He wanted to be clean and fresh before carrying his prince and princess in his arms.
But the moment he stepped into the nursery and soft footsteps echoed against the floor, the twins turned immediately.
Both of them crawled toward him as fast as their little bodies allowed, their faces crumpling as cries burst out, raw and desperate. Ayaan dropped to his knees instantly and gathered them into his arms, one on each side.
“Hey… hey…” he whispered and rocked them gently.
He wiped their tears gently, his thumbs brushed their soft cheeks. His heart shattered at the sight of his son and daughter crying not from fear, but from missing him. His own eyes turned moist as he kissed their foreheads, then their cheeks and held them close against his chest.
“Don’t cry, my darlings. Daddy is back. I promise I’ll compensate for leaving you for two days.” he murmured and pressed his lips into their hair.
Their cries softened into hiccupped breaths, tiny fists gripped his shirt as if afraid he might disappear again.
Ayaan looked up and found Zara watching them, a tender smile on her face, eyes warm and slightly emotional.
“They made such a fuss without you. Papa and Mama bought them so many toys. Ved and Saanvi even stayed back just to play with them and distract them.” she said softly.
Ayaan smiled faintly and leaned forward, kissing Zara’s forehead with gratitude and love.
“Thank you… for holding everything together.” he whispered to her.
He sat down on the floor with Rehan and Zavi still in his arms, letting them babble and tug at his hair, responding with soft laughter and gentle play. Zara joined them, sitting close, watching her little family.
For Ayaan, the exhaustion of the past days melted away in that moment. This……. this was home.
That night, once Rehan and Zavi were fast asleep, Ayaan pulled Zara into his arms and wrapped her close against his chest. The room was quiet, lit only by the soft glow of the bedside lamp and the steady rhythm of their breathing.
He rested his chin on her head, his fingers absentmindedly traced slow circles on her arm.
” What happened ? Was the meeting a success ? ” Zara asked tilting her face toward him.
Ayaan explained everything, the call, how Nafel had finally lost his composure when he realized Suryadev was ready to turn against him. He told her about Nafel’s decision to expose Suryadev two days before the elections and the deal that would follow once Vaishu’s party formed the government.
Zara remained silent the entire time, her fingers tightened slightly against his shirt listening to his plans
When he finished, she lifted her head and looked at him, concern clear in her eyes.
“This is dangerous, Ayaan. You are dealing with men who don’t hesitate to destroy lives when things slip out of their control.” she said softly.
He cupped her cheek gently. “I know, but this is the only way to end it completely. If I stop halfway, they will keep coming back again and again. We couldn’t lose sweetheart and we won’t. Your husband will take care of everything ” he replied softly.
Zara nodded slowly, “I trust you, I just need you to be safe. Whatever you do, however careful you think you are being, promise me you will come back to us ” she said.
Ayaan’s expression softened. He pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to her forehead then to her hair. “I promise, nothing matters more to me than you and our babies. This ends soon… and after that, I belong only here.” he whispered.
Zara closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, drawing comfort from its steady rhythm.
Held in his arms, she finally relaxed, hoping and praying that his promise would be one fate would never dare to break.
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A/N:
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