ZEESHAN POV

Khan's mansion

I woke up to a disturbing alarm at 5 am, got ready for the day, and headed to the gym.

After a refreshing workout, I returned to my room, showered, and put on a black Armani suit.

I went downstairs to find my family already gathered at the dining table, waiting for me. I greeted them and took my seat.

My dad spoke up, "Shaizain called and said we can go tomorrow to see our future daughter-in-law."

My mom's face lit up with excitement, "Yes, I'm so thrilled to meet her!"

Sara chimed in with a mischievous grin, "Poor girl, she'll have to handle this grumpy man."

My mom playfully scolded her, "Shut up, Sara! My son is not grumpy!"

I smiled at Sara's teasing, and she continued, "Papa, look at how mom is pampering me!"

My dad chuckled and said, "Are, my child, no one is pampering you," I shook my head, accustomed to their daily banter.

My younger brother Ryan walked in, saying, "Good morning, beautiful ladies and handsome guys!" in a dramatic tone.

He took a seat and started having breakfast with Saad and Sana.

I said, in an authoritative voice, "Ryan, stop playing games and focus on your studies; your board exams are coming."

He nodded.

Then, I turned to Sara and said, "And you, Sara, stop watching those silly K-dramas and anime; focus on your studies. You're a university student now." She nodded too.

I continued, "Saad and Sana, I want you to handle a new project. I expect your best work." They nodded in unison, "Okay, Bhai."

My mom intervened, "Stop scolding them, Zeeshan."

I replied, "How can they focus on their future if I don't push them, Mom?" She sighed, "Okay, whatever.

Tomorrow, we're going to Shaik's mansion in the evening, so stop doing your work." I wasn't interested in this marriage. But I had something important to gain from Adeen's grandfather, and I was willing to go through with it.

I rose from my chair, grabbed my phone and car keys, and said, "Okay, bye. I'm going." I walked towards my car, ready to leave.

I sat in my car, driving to the office, when my phone rang.

I answered, Fahad, my PA, said, "Sir, the Rajputs are here to sign the deal." I replied, "Okay, I'll be there in 15 minutes."

I cut the call and entered the meeting room, where two men in their early thirties were waiting.

I approached them, and one of them said, "Hello, Mr. Khan. It's nice to work with you." I replied, "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Rajput."

We sat down, signed the deal, and had two meetings with the team.

Afterward, I sat in my cabin, focusing on my work.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Araman came in, sitting on the couch. I kept my focus on work, but he said,

"Zeeshan, I told you about Shammer Hussain, the criminal lawyer and CEO of a law firm in New York, didn't I?" I nodded, curious.

"He came to India, and I asked him about the information on our men's disappearance in New York," Araman said, his eyebrows narrowed.

I leaned back in my chair, intrigued. "And what did he say to you?"

I asked, my voice laced with irritation.

Araman replied, "He said to stay away from those cases, as some powerful persons are involved, and I should beware."

I shook my head, thinking, "What does he mean by powerful persons? Is there anyone more powerful than me?"

I asked Araman,

"What do you want to say?"

He replied, "I think Shammer is also involved in our men's disappearance."

I singed

"Okay, I'll handle him, you can go," I said.

"Zeeshan, be careful. If you think he's just a normal lawyer, no, he's involved with the Italian and Russian mafias, and someone who is backing him is very powerful," Araman warned.

"Don't worry, Araman. No matter how powerful he is, I can handle him," I replied confidently.

Araman rose from his chair, looking concerned. "I have some work to do, I'll leave. By the way, how's Alia doing? She's a model, right? Don't think she's the right one for you, Zeeshan."

"Araman, I'm not dating her just to show off in front of the media. I don't love her, but I don't want to lose her either," I said.

Araman's expression changed, and he looked at me with concern. "I don't know about love or life, but if your enemy comes after her, her life will be in danger. I don't want any innocent life to be lost," he said.

I nodded, understanding his concern. Even though Alia and I had been together for two years,

I had never been attracted to her. She never disturbed me at work, and only messaged me occasionally.

I had made it clear to her that I didn't want a relationship, and she had accepted it.

She remained my girlfriend in name only, and I wondered what was going through her mind.

It was evening when Adeen called me, asking me to come to his house.

He said he had something important to discuss. I sat in my car and drove to Shaik's mansion. But just as I was about to arrive, my PA, Fahad, called me.

I stopped the car, stepped out, and walked away from the vehicle to answer Fahad's call. "Sir, our men found some dead bodies in our New York dungeons, from about a month ago. Our men are missing, and their bodies were cut into pieces. There's a letter written in blood..." Fahad's voice trailed off, leaving me stunned and horrified.

I was left in shock, knowing that my men were disappearing in New York. Who could be behind this? My rivals didn't have the guts to go against me like this. "Send me the photos," I ordered.

"Okay, boss," Fahad replied, and I ended the call. I sat by the side of the road, trying to process my thoughts. Who could be behind this gruesome act?

My phone pinged with a notification, and I opened the chat to see the photos. The body was cut into pieces, with a letter that read:

"I will soon find Lucifer. The day I lay my eyes on you, I will make you beg for mercy on your knees. ~ Your enemy, Devil Queen."

A chill ran down my spine as I realized that this was no ordinary threat.

My mind raced as I tried to comprehend the severity of the situation. Who could be behind such a heinous act? And what did they want from me? I knew I had to get to the bottom of this, and fast. "Fahad, assemble a team and investigate this immediately. I want answers, and I want them now", I instructed, my voice firm and commanding.

I walked back to my car, only to find a girl rummaging through it.

I grabbed her wrist, "Who are you and what are you doing in my car?" I demanded.

She turned around, and our eyes met. Those hazel-brown eyes, that white skin, plump lips, button nose, and black hair tied up in a bun... it was as if I was staring at a ghost from my past. My heart raced as I wondered if it was really her, my long-lost love who had died 14 years ago. But no, it couldn't be. Inaya was the reason for her dead, and this was just a stranger with a similar appearance. Yet, those eyes seemed to hold a thousand secrets, and I couldn't help but stare like a creep.

She jerked her hand free, her angelic voice laced with venom, "This is your car."

I nodded absent-mindedly, still trying to process my thoughts. "Move it, it's coming in my way," she said again, and I nodded, still in a daze.

She walked towards her car, and I sat in mine, driving to Shaik's mansion.

I couldn't help but steal glances at her through the rearview window, her focus fixed on the road ahead.

I shook my head, chiding myself for thinking it was her. She died 14 years ago, and this was just a stranger who looked similar.

My car halted in front of the mansion, and I stepped out, trying to shake off the strange encounter.

I walked into the hall, and a maid informed me that Adeen was waiting for me in his study room.

I walked towards the study, grasped the door knob, and opened the door.

But before I could even step inside, a punch landed on my face, leaving me shocked and reeling.

I turned to see Adeen's fist, his hand blooming with anger.

"How dare you accept my sister's marriage proposal?" he growled, grabbing my collar and pulling me closer.

He raised his fist again, and I dodged just in time.

"Adeen, calm down, let's talk first," I said, trying to reason with him. But he was beyond reason, his face red with rage.

I knew he was angry, but I had accepted this marriage proposal for my own purposes, and I wasn't about to back down now.

We sat on the couch, and I tried to reason with him. "See, Adeen, I'm a grown man, and I want to get married. Your grandfather asked me to marry your sister, and I said yes. It's a normal arrangement."

But Adeen was having none of it. "Then why are you pursuing my sister? Why don't you just marry your girlfriend Alia? You have no idea how much I fought with my grandfather this morning, and he still declared your marriage to my sister. It's ridiculous!" he spat, his anger and frustration evident in his tone.

He rubbed his hands over his face, his voice laced with irritation. "Tell me the real reason, Zeeshan. I know you never accept any marriage proposal because you're still obsessed with my dead sister. I can't understand why you're so fixated on her when she's no longer alive. Don't ruin Inaya's life, she's innocent..." he trailed off, his emotions raw.

I smirked, my voice laced with deceit. "See, Adeen, I know I want to marry her, and I'll keep her happy. Don't worry, if you're concerned about my enemies, then don't be. I can keep her safe." I flashed a fake smile, hiding my true intentions. Little did Adeen know, I planned to make Inaya's life a living hell.

I'll never forgive Inaya for what she did. She's responsible for my love's death, and now she'll have to pay the price. I'll marry her, but I'll make her life a living hell. I'll destroy her soul, shatter her dreams, and blame her for every misfortune that befalls me. She'll regret the day she ever crossed me. My love may be gone, but my revenge will live on.

"Adeen, you have my word. I will make Inaya's life a beautiful dream, a life she never thought possible. I promise to bring her happiness every day, to make her smile shine brighter with each passing moment," I said, my voice dripping with deceit.

But in my mind, I was plotting something entirely different. "Yes, I will make her life a living hell, a new nightmare every day. I'll make her regret ever crossing me, ever hurting me. I'll make her life a constant struggle, a never-ending battle to survive. And I'll enjoy every moment of it, every tear she sheds, every scream she utters. Oh, how I'll relish her suffering."

My fake smile hid my true intentions, and Adeen couldn't suspect a thing. Little did he know, I was planning to destroy his sister's life, to crush her spirit and shatter her soul. The game was on, and only one of us would emerge victorious.

"Okay, Adeen, let's meet tomorrow," I said, rising from the couch.

"If anyone tries to hurt Inaya, I'll kill them the next moment, Zeeshan promises," Adeen warned, his eyes blazing with intensity.

I nodded and began walking out of his study room.

As I approached the door, Adeen's mom saw me, her eyes red from crying. "Are beta, how are you ? she said in a hoarse voice.

"Yes, aunty, I'm excited to meet her too. Is Inaya here? I want to see her," I requested, trying to sound innocent.

I want see that murder face

"No, beta, she has some work. She went to her office," Adeen's mom replied.

"She works in an office?" I asked, feigning surprise. But they're rich. I thought she had completed her graduation.

"Yes, wait for dinner," Adeen's mom said, but I declined. "No, aunty, I have to go to the office. I have a lot of work. Maybe next time."

I nodded and walked out to my car, my mind racing with thoughts of the strange girl who was Inaya. Little did they know, I had ulterior motives for marrying their daughter. The game was on, and I was just getting started.

Inaya pov:

I drove to the mansion, got out of the car, and stepped out onto the driveway, my legs trembling beneath me.

My tears refused to stop flowing, streaming down my cheeks like a river, as my body shook with uncontrollable sobs.

My heart felt heavy, my chest tight, and my breath came in short gasps, as if someone was squeezing the air out of me.

I stumbled upstairs, ignoring Sneha's concerned voice calling out, "Ma'am, your dinner is ready."

I couldn't bear the thought of food, of eating, of living.

My mind was a turmoil of emotions, my thoughts a jumbled mess of pain and sorrow.

I climbed the stairs, my hands shaking, my legs wobbling, and my body trembling like a leaf.

I opened the door to my room, and closed it behind me, leaning against it for support, as if it was the only thing holding me up.

A sob escaped my lips, and I let out a torrent of tears, my body shaking, my shoulders heaving, my chest convulsing with pain.

I felt like I was drowning, suffocating, unable to breathe.

My vision blurred, my head spun, and my ears rang with the sound of my own despair.

"When my heart loves someone else, why do I have to marry a guy I don't love?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Why did he leave me? Why did he save me only to abandon me? Why do I have to live this lie, this life that isn't mine? Why did I come back to India, a place that only brings me pain?"

I slid down the door, my legs giving way beneath me, and I collapsed on the floor, my body wracked with sobs, my tears soaking the carpet.

I was a mess, a complete and utter mess, unable to contain the pain, the hurt, the anguish that threatened to consume me whole.

I wanted to wake up from this nightmare, to find myself in his arms, to feel loved and cherished once more.

I wanted to go back in time, to relive the moments we shared, to make him stay.

But life didn't work that way, and I was left with only my tears, my sorrow, and my shattered heart.

I woke up with a pounding headache, my body aching like hell. I must have slept on the floor.

I stumbled into the shower, then got dressed in my office outfit.

My headache was still throbbing as I came downstairs.

Maryam and Sneha were standing infront dine table, and Luca was standing by the door. "Come, Luca, have breakfast," I said, my voice hoarse.

He walked over and sat down, Maryam served us breakfast, and I asked, "Did you find out anything?"

Lucas replied, "Yes, ma'am. We found the two men who were present that day." My appetite vanished, and I looked at Luca. "Where are they?"

He lifted his head, his expressionless face a mask. "In our dungeons in Mumbai." His robotic voice sent a chill down my spine.

Meera entered, unaware that Luca was there. "Ma'am, did you know that donkey Luca is here?" she said, and I couldn't help but want to laugh, despite my exhaustion.

"Meera, your donkey is here. See, your donkey is eating his breakfast," I said, and Meera's eyes widened in shock.

Luca rose from his seat, his gaze softening as he stood in front of Meera. "So, you want to see how this donkey will turn into a beast for you?" he said in a husky voice.

Meera looked stunned, and I shook my head. "Enough, Luca. We're leaving. Meera, take the day off. I'll call you in the afternoon, okay?" Luca teased Meera, "Breathe, sweetheart."

I rolled my eyes.

"Enough with the flirting, Luca. We're late."

We drove to the dungeons, and I was determined to find out the truth.

You took away the only happiness in my life, the one person I cherished more than anything. You will pay for what you'

ve done.

The car halted in front of an old house, and I walked into the basement, Luca and the guards following me.

Inside, I saw two men tied up with chains, hanging in the air.

My heart raced with anger and anticipation. It was time for answers.