For a few seconds, nobody moved.

The rain continued to fall.

Heavy drops touched the rooftop, ran down Zoya’s face, and disappeared among her tears.

But she didn’t feel the rain anymore.

She could only hear one sentence repeating inside her head.

Your mother was murdered.

Her mother.

The woman whose voice Zoya could barely remember.

The woman whose face lived only in old photographs.

The woman who had died when Zoya was too young to understand what death really meant.

For years, Zoya had believed that she had lost her mother because of a tragic accident.

She had grown up believing that some things in life simply happened without a reason.

Now she was standing in the rain, looking at a stranger who claimed to know the truth.

And the truth was worse than anything she had ever imagined.

“Who killed her?”

Her voice trembled.

The man standing across from her didn’t answer.

Zoya stepped forward.

“I asked you a question.”

Ayaan immediately reached for her hand.

“Zoya, wait.”

She looked at him.

“Wait for what?”

His eyes were full of concern.

“You don’t know if he’s telling the truth.”

The man laughed quietly.

“Still protecting her from the truth, Ayaan?”

Ayaan’s expression became cold.

“Don’t speak to me about protecting her.”

“Why?”

“Because you know nothing about what I would do for her.”

The man’s smile disappeared.

Zoya looked between them.

“Stop.”

Both men turned toward her.

She looked at the stranger.

“You said my mother was murdered.”

“Yes.”

“Then tell me who did it.”

The man looked at her.

His eyes were strangely sad.

“You already know.”

Zoya frowned.

“No, I don’t.”

“You do.”

“I don’t!”

Her voice broke.

“Then tell me!”

The man looked at Ayaan.

Ayaan’s hand tightened around hers.

The man finally spoke.

“Your father.”

The world stopped.

Zoya stared at him.

“No.”

The man nodded.

“Your father ordered her death.”

“No.”

“Zoya—”

“No!”

She pulled her hand away from Ayaan.

“My father didn’t kill my mother.”

“He did.”

“You’re lying.”

“Ask him.”

Zoya’s heart began to pound.

She turned toward Ayaan.

“Did you know?”

Ayaan’s face changed.

“Know what?”

“About my mother.”

“No.”

“Did you know my father was involved?”

“I knew he was involved in something.”

“But you didn’t tell me?”

“I didn’t know if it was true.”

Zoya looked at the man.

“Then why should I believe you?”

The man stepped closer.

“Because I was there.”

“Where?”

“The night she died.”

Zoya couldn’t breathe.

“What happened?”

The man looked at Maya.

Maya was crying silently.

Zoya noticed.

And suddenly, she remembered something.

The letter.

The words her mother had written.

Trust no one—not even the person who claims to love you the most.

Zoya slowly looked at Maya.

“Why are you crying?”

Maya looked away.

“Maya.”

No answer.

“Look at me.”

Maya lifted her eyes.

Zoya’s heart sank.

There was guilt in them.

Not fear.

Guilt.

“You knew.”

Maya shook her head.

“No.”

“You knew something.”

“Zoya…”

“You knew.”

“I didn’t know everything.”

“But you knew something.”

Maya’s tears fell.

“Yes.”

Zoya took a step back.

For seven years, Maya had been the one person she trusted more than anyone.

The person she called when she was sad.

The person who knew every secret.

The person who had held her while she cried after Ayaan left.

And now…

Maya had known.

“How long?”

Maya closed her eyes.

“Seven years.”

Zoya felt something inside her break.

“You knew for seven years?”

“I was trying to protect you.”

Zoya laughed bitterly.

“Everyone keeps saying that.”

She looked at Ayaan.

“My father wanted to protect me.”

Then at the stranger.

“You wanted to protect me.”

Then at Maya.

“You wanted to protect me.”

Her voice broke.

“Why does everyone keep protecting me by destroying my life?”

Nobody answered.

Zoya wiped her tears.

“Tell me everything.”

Maya shook her head.

“I can’t.”

“You will.”

“Zoya…”

“You will!”

Maya looked at her.

And finally…

She broke.

“Your mother wasn’t supposed to die.”

Silence.

Zoya stopped breathing.

Maya continued.

“She was going to leave.”

“With me?”

Maya nodded.

“She was going to take you away from your father.”

Zoya’s eyes widened.

“Why?”

“Because she had found out what he was doing.”

“What was he doing?”

Maya looked at the man standing beside her.

He answered.

“Your father was stealing money.”

Zoya stared at him.

“From whom?”

“From your father’s own business.”

“Why?”

“Because he had debts.”

Zoya shook her head.

“My father was wealthy.”

“That doesn’t mean he wasn’t in trouble.”

Ayaan suddenly spoke.

“And my father?”

The man looked at him.

“Your father discovered the theft.”

Ayaan became still.

“He confronted him.”

“Yes.”

“And then?”

“Your father threatened to expose him.”

Ayaan’s jaw tightened.

“That’s why he was killed.”

The man nodded.

Zoya looked at him.

“And my mother?”

“She discovered the truth too.”

“How?”

“Your father told her everything.”

Zoya’s face went pale.

“He told her?”

“He wanted her to understand why he had to do what he was doing.”

“Why would he tell her?”

“Because he loved her.”

Zoya looked confused.

“Then why would he kill her?”

The man looked away.

“Because she refused to stay silent.”

Zoya’s heart broke.

“My mother was going to tell the police.”

“Yes.”

“And my father stopped her.”

“Yes.”

“How?”

The man didn’t answer.

Zoya’s eyes filled with tears.

“How?”

Finally, he whispered:

“He asked me to stop her.”

Zoya froze.

“You?”

The man nodded.

“I was there that night.”

“What did you do?”

“I followed her.”

“Why?”

“Because your father asked me to.”

“And then?”

The man closed his eyes.

“I found her car.”

Zoya’s breathing became shallow.

“Where?”

“Near the old bridge.”

Ayaan looked at him.

“What happened?”

“The car had crashed.”

Zoya covered her mouth.

“No.”

“I pulled her out.”

“Was she alive?”

The man looked at her.

“Yes.”

Zoya’s eyes widened.

“She was alive?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did she die?”

The man looked at her.

“Because someone had already hurt her.”

Zoya couldn’t breathe.

“Who?”

He didn’t answer.

“Who?”

“The man who had been following her.”

Ayaan stepped forward.

“Who was he?”

The stranger looked at him.

“Your father’s best friend.”

Ayaan froze.

“My father’s best friend?”

“Yes.”

The man looked at Zoya.

“He was the one who attacked your mother.”

Zoya’s tears fell.

“Why?”

“Because she had evidence.”

“What evidence?”

“Proof of the money your father had stolen.”

“Where is it?”

The man looked toward Maya.

Maya’s face went pale.

Zoya slowly turned.

“Maya.”

Maya shook her head.

“No.”

“You have it.”

“No.”

“You have the evidence.”

“I don’t.”

The stranger looked at her.

“Maya.”

Maya closed her eyes.

Zoya stared at her.

“Tell me.”

Maya was crying now.

“I was there.”

Zoya’s heart stopped.

“What?”

“That night.”

“You were there?”

“I followed your mother.”

“Why?”

“She asked me to.”

“Why?”

“Because she knew she was in danger.”

Zoya couldn’t move.

“She knew?”

Maya nodded.

“She knew your father wanted to stop her.”

“Then why did she trust you?”

Maya looked at her.

“Because I was her niece.”

Zoya froze.

“What?”

Ayaan looked at Maya.

“You’re related to Zoya’s mother?”

Maya nodded.

“She was my aunt.”

Zoya stared at her.

“Why didn’t I know?”

“Your father didn’t want you to know.”

“Why?”

“Because he hated my family.”

Zoya shook her head.

“I don’t understand.”

Maya stepped closer.

“Your mother had a younger sister.”

“Your aunt?”

“Yes.”

“Where is she?”

Maya looked down.

“She died.”

Zoya’s heart broke.

“How?”

“Seven years ago.”

Silence.

Zoya slowly stepped backward.

“No.”

Maya nodded.

“She was killed too.”

Zoya looked at Ayaan.

The truth was becoming a nightmare.

Two families.

Two deaths.

One secret.

And a man who had spent seven years hiding it.

Zoya suddenly looked at the stranger.

“Who are you?”

He stared at her.

“My name is Faris.”

Ayaan’s eyes widened.

“Faris.”

The man nodded.

“You know me.”

Ayaan stared at him.

“My father trusted you.”

“Yes.”

“Then why?”

Faris looked away.

“Because I was a coward.”

Ayaan’s expression hardened.

“You knew my father was going to be killed.”

“Yes.”

“And you did nothing?”

“I tried.”

“How?”

“I warned him.”

“Then why didn’t you save him?”

Faris’s eyes filled with tears.

“Because I arrived too late.”

Ayaan’s voice broke.

“Did you see him?”

“Yes.”

“Was he alive?”

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you call for help?”

Faris looked at him.

“Because the man who killed him was still there.”

Ayaan’s face became pale.

“Who?”

Faris didn’t answer.

Ayaan stepped closer.

“Who killed my father?”

Faris looked directly at him.

“Your father’s closest friend.”

Ayaan froze.

The same man.

The same person who had been involved in Zoya’s mother’s death.

The same person who had manipulated everything.

The same person who had disappeared.

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“You knew him.”

“Yes.”

“Then where is he?”

Faris shook his head.

“He disappeared after that night.”

Ayaan clenched his fists.

“And you let him?”

“I was afraid.”

Ayaan laughed bitterly.

“Everyone was afraid.”

He looked at Zoya.

“And we were the ones who paid for it.”

Zoya couldn’t speak.

Ayaan walked toward her.

“Zoya.”

She looked at him.

His eyes were filled with pain.

“I’m sorry.”

She shook her head.

“Don’t.”

“I should have known.”

“How?”

“I should have investigated.”

“You thought you were dying.”

“I still should have.”

Zoya looked at him.

“You were twenty-three.”

“I was still responsible for you.”

“No.”

She stepped closer.

“You were responsible for yourself.”

Ayaan looked at her.

“And you?”

“I was responsible for myself too.”

Her voice became softer.

“That’s what everyone forgot.”

Ayaan’s eyes filled with tears.

“You should have had the choice.”

Zoya nodded.

“Yes.”

He reached for her hand.

This time, she let him take it.

“You didn’t just take seven years from us. You took away my choice. You made me believe I had lost the love of my life, when the truth was that I had been robbed of the chance to fight for him.”

Ayaan lowered his head.

“I’m sorry.”

Zoya looked at him.

“Don’t apologize for loving me.”

His eyes lifted.

“Then what should I apologize for?”

“For leaving.”

He nodded.

“I will.”

“Every day.”

“Every day.”

She squeezed his hand.

“But I don’t want you to spend the rest of your life punishing yourself.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want the man I love to live in the past.”

Ayaan became completely still.

The words had escaped her before she could stop them.

The man I love.

Zoya’s eyes widened.

Ayaan stared at her.

“What did you say?”

She looked away.

“Nothing.”

“No.”

A smile slowly appeared on his face.

“You said it.”

“I didn’t.”

“You did.”

“Ayaan.”

“You love me.”

She looked at him.

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Unfortunately.”

He laughed.

For the first time that night, they both smiled.

Then Ayaan pulled her into his arms.

Zoya held him tightly.

And for a moment…

The world disappeared.

No secrets.

No dead parents.

No lies.

No seven years.

Only them.

“Maybe love is not about finding someone who never hurts you. Maybe it is about finding the person whose heart still feels like home after everything that tried to make you strangers.”

Ayaan kissed her forehead.

“I love you.”

Zoya closed her eyes.

“I know.”

“No.”

She opened her eyes.

“I need you to hear it.”

He touched her cheek.

“I loved you when I thought I was dying.”

His voice trembled.

“I loved you when I left.”

A tear fell from his eye.

“I loved you every day I was gone.”

Another tear.

“And I love you now.”

Zoya couldn’t hold back her tears.

“I love you too.”

Ayaan smiled.

“Then don’t leave me.”

She shook her head.

“Never.”

But their moment didn’t last.

A loud sound came from the stairs.

Everyone turned.

Maya looked frightened.

“What was that?”

Faris immediately moved toward the entrance.

Ayaan stepped in front of Zoya.

“Stay here.”

“No.”

“Zoya.”

“I said no.”

She held his hand.

“We do this together.”

He looked at her.

Then nodded.

They slowly walked toward the stairs.

The rooftop was empty.

But there was something lying on the ground.

An envelope.

Zoya picked it up.

Her name was written on it.

Again.

Her hands trembled.

She opened it.

Inside was a photograph.

Zoya looked at it.

And her heart stopped.

It was a picture of her mother.

Standing beside a young man.

Zoya didn’t recognize him.

But Ayaan did.

He took the photograph from her hand.

His face turned white.

“Who is he?”

Zoya asked.

Ayaan couldn’t answer.

“Who?”

He finally whispered:

“My father.”

Zoya’s eyes widened.

The photograph showed Ayaan’s father and Zoya’s mother together.

But they weren’t alone.

There was a little girl standing between them.

Zoya looked closer.

Her breath stopped.

The little girl was her.

She looked at Ayaan.

“Why was I there?”

Ayaan stared at the photograph.

Then he saw the date.

The photograph had been taken twenty-four years ago.

Before Zoya had ever met him.

Before their families had become enemies.

Before everything had fallen apart.

Ayaan turned the photograph over.

There was a message.

His hands began to shake.

“The truth about your parents is not what you think. Your fathers were never enemies. They were brothers in everything but blood.”

Zoya stared at the words.

“What does that mean?”

Ayaan looked at her.

“I don’t know.”

But Faris did.

His face had gone completely pale.

Zoya turned toward him.

“You know.”

Faris didn’t answer.

“You know what this means.”

He looked at her.

Then at Ayaan.

Finally, he whispered:

“Your fathers were partners.”

Zoya frowned.

“Business partners?”

“No.”

Ayaan stared at him.

“Then what?”

Faris’s eyes filled with tears.

“They were working together to expose someone.”

“Who?”

Faris closed his eyes.

“The person who killed them.”

Ayaan’s heart stopped.

“Who?”

Faris looked at Maya.

Maya was crying.

Zoya slowly turned toward her.

“Maya?”

Maya shook her head.

“No.”

Zoya stared at her.

“Why is he looking at you?”

Maya stepped backward.

“Zoya…”

“Why?”

Faris whispered:

“Because she knows.”

Zoya’s heart stopped.

“Knows what?”

Maya looked at her.

And then she said the words that destroyed everything.

“Your father didn’t kill Ayaan’s father.”

Zoya stared at her.

“Then who did?”

Maya’s tears fell.

“Your father’s business partner.”

“The woman?”

“No.”

Zoya froze.

“Then who?”

Maya looked at Ayaan.

“His own best friend.”

Ayaan’s face became pale.

“The man who disappeared?”

Maya nodded.

“But that’s not the worst part.”

Silence.

Ayaan stepped forward.

“What is the worst part?”

Maya looked at Zoya.

And her voice broke.

“He’s not the one who ordered your mother’s death.”

Zoya couldn’t breathe.

“Then who did?”

Maya whispered:

“Your father.”

Zoya’s heart shattered.

“No.”

“Zoya—”

“No!”

She stepped backward.

Ayaan immediately reached for her.

“Don’t touch me!”

He froze.

Zoya looked at him.

Her eyes were filled with pain.

“I can’t.”

“Zoya.”

“I can’t do this anymore.”

“Listen to me.”

“My father killed your father.”

“That’s not true.”

“He killed my mother.”

“We don’t know that.”

“He did!”

“Zoya!”

She covered her ears.

“I don’t want to hear it!”

Ayaan stood helplessly in front of her.

She was crying.

He wanted to hold her.

But she wouldn’t let him.

“I love you.”

She shook her head.

“Don’t.”

“I love you.”

“Stop!”

“I won’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not going anywhere.”

She looked at him.

Ayaan’s eyes were full of tears.

“Not this time.”

Zoya broke.

She fell against him.

Ayaan caught her.

She cried into his chest.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“You didn’t do anything.”

“My family destroyed yours.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Zoya.”

Ayaan held her face.

“Look at me.”

She slowly lifted her eyes.

“You are not your father.”

Her lips trembled.

“And you are not responsible for what he did.”

Ayaan wiped her tears.

“Whatever happened between our families…”

He touched her heart.

“…it has nothing to do with the love between us.”

Zoya closed her eyes.

“But how can we be together after this?”

Ayaan’s voice became soft.

“Because we already lost seven years.”

She opened her eyes.

“I’m not losing another day.”

Zoya stared at him.

Ayaan leaned closer.

“Let the truth destroy the people who created it.”

He kissed her forehead.

“But it will never destroy us.”

“Our families gave us every reason to hate each other. Fate gave us a thousand reasons to walk away. But somehow, after everything, my heart still chose you. And this time, I choose you too.”

Zoya wrapped her arms around him.

And for a moment…

She believed him.

She believed that maybe they could survive this.

Maybe love could be stronger than the sins of their families.

Maybe their second chance was real.

But then her father’s words returned to her mind.

Your mother.

The woman he loved.

The medical report.

The lies.

Something still didn’t make sense.

Zoya pulled away.

“Ayaan.”

“Yes?”

“There’s one thing.”

“What?”

“My father said something.”

Ayaan looked at her.

“He said the woman who arranged the fake medical report loved him.”

Ayaan became still.

“Yes.”

“But why would she help him destroy us?”

“I don’t know.”

Zoya looked at Maya.

Maya immediately looked away.

Zoya’s eyes narrowed.

“Maya.”

Maya froze.

“You know.”

“No.”

“You know who she is.”

Maya’s face changed.

Zoya stepped closer.

“Who was the woman?”

Maya’s lips trembled.

“Zoya…”

“Tell me.”

“I can’t.”

“Tell me!”

Maya started crying.

“Please.”

“Who was she?”

Maya looked at Ayaan.

Then at Zoya.

Finally, she whispered:

“Your father’s business partner.”

Zoya froze.

“The same woman?”

Maya nodded.

Ayaan’s face became cold.

“Where is she now?”

Maya didn’t answer.

“Where?”

Maya whispered:

“Dead.”

Silence.

“What?”

“She died seven years ago.”

“How?”

Maya looked at Zoya.

“She was killed.”

Zoya’s blood ran cold.

“By whom?”

Maya shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

“Then why are you afraid?”

Maya looked at her.

“Because I know who was with her when she died.”

“Who?”

Maya’s eyes filled with tears.

“Your father.”

Zoya couldn’t breathe.

Ayaan took her hand.

But before either of them could say anything…

A phone began to ring.

Everyone looked around.

It was Zoya’s phone.

Unknown number.

She answered.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Then a man’s voice.

“Zoya.”

Her heart stopped.

She knew that voice.

It was the man from the rooftop.

The man who had been hiding for seven years.

The man who knew everything.

“Where is Ayaan?”

Zoya looked at him.

“Who are you?”

The man laughed.

“Ask him.”

Ayaan immediately took the phone.

“Who are you?”

The line went silent.

Then the man said:

“Your father trusted me.”

Ayaan froze.

“Who are you?”

“I was there when he died.”

Ayaan’s face changed.

“Tell me who killed him.”

The man laughed.

“You already know.”

Ayaan’s voice became cold.

“Tell me.”

“Your father was killed because he discovered the truth.”

“What truth?”

“That your family wasn’t the only family involved.”

Ayaan’s eyes narrowed.

“What does that mean?”

The man paused.

Then he said:

“Ask Zoya who her real father is.”

The call ended.

Silence.

Zoya stared at Ayaan.

“What did he mean?”

Ayaan didn’t answer.

She stepped closer.

“Ayaan.”

He looked at her.

His face was pale.

“Tell me.”

“I don’t know.”

“Tell me!”

“I don’t know!”

The anger in his voice made her step back.

Ayaan immediately regretted it.

“Zoya…”

She shook her head.

“No.”

“Please.”

“Not again.”

He looked at her.

“Not another secret.”

“There is no secret.”

“Then why won’t you look at me?”

Ayaan’s eyes filled with tears.

“Because I’m scared.”

The words broke her.

“Of what?”

He looked at her.

“That the truth will take you away from me again.”

Zoya’s heart shattered.

She stepped toward him.

“Nothing can take me away from you.”

“Don’t promise me that.”

“Why?”

“Because seven years ago, I believed promises were enough.”

She touched his face.

“They weren’t.”

He closed his eyes.

“But this time…”

Zoya whispered:

“…we will be enough.”

Ayaan opened his eyes.

She kissed him.

It wasn’t a kiss of passion.

It was a promise.

A promise that no matter how dark the truth became…

They would face it.

Together.

But neither of them knew that the man on the phone had left them with one final clue.

A clue that would change everything.

The name of Zoya’s real father.

Because the man she had called Abu all her life…

Might not be her biological father at all.

And if that was true…

Then the woman who had died seven years ago had taken one final secret to her grave.

A secret about Zoya.

A secret about Ayaan.

And a secret about the night they were born.

Sometimes the truth doesn’t break your heart because it is painful. It breaks your heart because it changes everything you ever believed about yourself.

The rain finally stopped.

But the storm in their lives had only just begun.

And this time…

The truth was coming for them.

No matter how much it hurt.

No matter how many people they lost.

No matter how much their families tried to separate them.

Because after seven years of losing each other…

Ayaan and Zoya had finally decided to fight.

Not for their families.

Not for revenge.

But for the love that had somehow survived everything.

And tomorrow…

They would discover the final secret.

The secret that would either destroy them forever…

Or finally set them free.