The house was completely dark.

Areeba could hear nothing except her own heartbeat.

Zayan still had her hand in his.

“Don’t move,” he whispered.

Areeba’s breathing became heavier.

“Someone is inside.”

“I know.”

Another sound came from upstairs.

A slow.

Heavy.

Footstep.

Areeba’s fingers tightened around Zayan’s hand without realizing it.

He looked at her.

For one brief second, neither of them spoke.

Then he pulled her behind him.

“Stay here.”

“Where are you going?”

“To find out who it is.”

“No.”

Zayan looked back at her.

His expression was serious.

“Areeba. For once, do exactly what I say.”

She stared at him.

Something in his voice made her stop arguing.

He moved quietly toward the hallway.

Areeba stayed against the wall.

Then she heard something.

A whisper.

Her mother’s name.

“Samina…”

Her eyes widened.

Someone had whispered her mother’s name.

She immediately stepped forward.

“Zayan.”

He turned.

“What?”

“I heard someone say my mother’s name.”

Before he could answer, a shadow crossed the end of the hallway.

Zayan ran after it.

Areeba followed him.

“Wait!”

They reached the study.

The door was open.

The window was broken.

Cold air rushed inside.

Someone had escaped.

But something was lying on the floor.

Zayan crouched down and picked it up.

A small silver pendant.

Areeba looked at it.

Her face suddenly changed.

“I know this.”

Zayan looked at her.

“From where?”

“My mother had one exactly like this.”

He turned the pendant over.

There was a tiny engraving on the back.

A.K.

Areeba whispered.

“My mother never had those initials.”

Zayan’s expression darkened.

“Because they aren’t your mother’s initials.”

Areeba looked confused.

“Then whose are they?”

He looked directly into her eyes.

“Your mother’s were S.K.”

Areeba’s heart stopped.

“Then A.K.?”

Zayan didn’t answer.

Instead, he turned the pendant over again.

There was something else.

A tiny photograph was hidden inside it.

Areeba stared at the picture.

It showed three people.

Her mother.

A young man.

And a little boy.

She immediately recognized the boy.

Zayan.

Her eyes widened.

“You…”

Zayan went completely still.

Areeba looked between the photograph and his face.

“You were there.”

“Yes.”

“With my mother.”

“Yes.”

“When?”

Zayan slowly stood.

“Twenty years ago.”

Areeba’s voice shook.

“Why?”

He looked away.

“Because your mother saved my life.”

Areeba stepped closer.

“And what happened after that?”

Zayan’s jaw tightened.

“She disappeared.”

“Because of my father?”

He remained silent.

“Zayan.”

“Yes.”

Areeba felt tears roll down her cheeks.

“Then why were you going to marry me?”

He looked at her.

For the first time, there was no anger in his eyes.

Only guilt.

“Because I promised your mother.”

Areeba stared at him.

“What promise?”

Zayan took a slow breath.

“That if the day ever came when you were in danger…”

He stepped closer.

“I would protect you.”

Areeba’s heart began beating faster.

“You don’t even love me.”

“I know.”

“Then why does it matter?”

He looked into her eyes.

“Because love isn’t the only reason someone stays.”

Areeba couldn’t speak.

Zayan gently wiped the tear from her cheek.

But the moment his fingers touched her skin, they both froze.

The distance between them suddenly felt too small.

His eyes dropped to her lips.

Areeba’s heartbeat became louder.

Neither moved.

Then a loud crash came from downstairs.

They immediately stepped apart.

Zayan’s face changed.

“We need to leave.”

“Why?”

He looked toward the door.

“Because whoever came tonight was not looking for your mother’s letter.”

He paused.

“They were looking for you.”