AUTHOR POV

As their gazes met, Sitara's eyes locked onto Evyansh's, but she suddenly winced, her vision blurring. A sharp, stabbing pain pierced her temples, forcing her to clench her head in agony.

"Ouchh..."
she whispered, her voice trembling.

Evyansh sprang into action, his concern etched on his face. He swiftly opened the side drawer, retrieved a bottle of pain relievers, and handed them to Sitara.

Sitara's hesitant gaze shifted from the tablets to Evyansh's outstretched hand. Doubt clouded her mind; could she trust this person? But the throbbing pain wouldn't subside, and desperation took over.

As she reached for the tablets, their fingers touched, sending an electric spark through both of them. The brief contact left Sitara's skin tingling and Evyansh's heart racing.

Their eyes met once more, this time with an added depth of awareness. The air seemed charged with an unspoken connection.

"Thank you,"
Sitara whispered, her voice barely audible.

Evyansh's face was stioic without any void of emotions his voice was cold yet plain as he spoke

"Do you need water?"

Sitara nodded, still wincing in pain. Evyansh hastily poured a glass from the nearby pitcher and handed it to her.

As she took a sip, their fingers touched again, reigniting the spark. This time, they both knew it wasn't just a coincidence.

The pain in Sitara's head began to recede, replaced by an unsettling sense of familiarity. She felt an inexplicable connection to Evyansh, as if their lives were intertwined.

Evyansh, too, sensed the shift. His eyes lingered on Sitara's, searching for answers to unspoken questions.

As Evyansh closed his eyes to get the answers for his questions, he settled himself on the bed at a safe distance from Sitara. Sitara gulped down the water and kept the glass on the side table. She frowned, seeing Evyansh settling on the bed.

Why was he sitting?What does he want?
Her mind raced with suspicion, her instincts on high alert.

"Wh-what are you doing?"

Sitara stuttered, her voice laced with apprehension.

Evyansh eyes held nothing cold. He just needs answers for his questions he didn't care about other than that.

"I will come straight to the point!" Evyansh exclaimed, his voice piercing the silence.

"What were we doing in that hotel? How did Dante try to kidnap you? Do you even know who he is? Do you have any connection with him? What did he do to you?"

Sitara's breath caught, fear gripping her throat like a vice. The last six months of struggles swirled in her mind like a vortex, threatening to pull her under.

Dante's face flashed before her eyes, his molestation echoing through her memory like a scream. Tears welled up, threatening to spill down her cheeks.

The way he looked at her, touched her, haunted her. His cold, calculating gaze. His slimy fingers tracing her skin.

Her body trembled with pain and fear, memories she thought were buried rising to the surface.

What if he comes back? she thought, her heart racing. What if he harms me again?

Self-loathing crept in, her mind taunting her.Why were you so vulnerable, so weak? Why couldn't you fight back?

The questions swirled, fueling her anguish.

Dante's touches still lingered on her skin, making her feel disgusting. She could almost feel his hot breath on her neck.

Sitara frantically rubbed her arms, trying to erase the memories. Her skin crawled with revulsion.

Her whole body trembled, her eyes overflowing with tears. The dam had burst, and her emotions poured out.

Sitara's body shivered and trembled with hard sobs, her fragile form racked by convulsive cries that shook her very core. Evyansh's frown deepened, his eyes cold and calculating as he struggled to comprehend her sudden breakdown.

Why was she behaving like this? What had triggered this outburst? His gaze scrutinized Sitara, searching for answers, probing for the hidden wounds that now seemed to ravage her.

Sitara's eyes snapped shut, her mind overwhelmed by the memories she'd desperately tried to bury. Dante's sinister words echoed through her mind like a haunting curse:

"You're mine, No one will ever save you."

His touch, his grasp, his violations - every painful detail flashed before her closed eyes. The memories she'd fought to suppress now flooded her mind, relentless and unforgiving.

She could hear her own pleadings, her desperate cries for him to stop:

"Please, , stop...don't do this..."

The words echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of her helplessness.

Her hands flew to her ears, covering them as if to block out the tormenting memories. But they lingered, refusing to be silenced.

Her head spun, dizziness threatening to consume her. The room began to blur, colors merging into a chaotic swirl. The walls seemed to close in, suffocating her.

But Sitara's world had narrowed to the horrors of her past. She was trapped, reliving the nightmares she'd fought to forget.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, her chest heaving with the weight of her anguish.Tears streamed down her face, a silent testament to her pain.Her body trembled, wracked by sobs that seemed to tear her apart.

"AHHHHHHHH.... NOOOOOOO!"

Sitara screamed in agony, her eyes clenched shut, hands covering her ears as if to block out the tormenting memories.

"NOOOOO... AHHHH..HAAAAAA" She continued to wail, losing all sense of reality.

Evyansh stood frozen, uncertainty etched on his face. Consoling others wasn't his forte; he didn't know how to calm the storm raging within Sitara.

Her screams pierced the air, shattering the silence. Evyansh's eyes snapped shut, composing himself. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.

With deliberate slowness, he approached Sitara, his movements calm and calculated.

Gently, he pried her soft hands from her ears, his fingers enveloping hers. Shivers coursed down his spine as their skin touched.

"Listen to me,"

Evyansh said, his voice calm, cold, firm, yet without devoid of emotions.

"Why are you screaming?"

His words cut through Sitara's hysteria, but she continued to sob uncontrollably.

Evyansh's grip on her hands tightened, his eyes locked onto hers.

Sitara's body convulsed with sobs, her head bowed in despair. Evyansh's warm breath caressed her skin, his fingers wrapped around her wrists, but she was lost in agony.

"How...can...I...not?"

she stammered, her voice cracking. "Ahh...the way...he...touched me...he...looked at me..."

Her words trailed off, replaced by anguished cries.

Evyansh's gaze darkened, his jaw clenched. His eyes burned with a fierce intensity.

"Did...he...do something...that shouldn't have happened?"

Evyansh asked, his voice low and urgent, his hold on her wrists tightening.

His heart raced, pounding in his chest.

"With any girl...with you?"

he stammered, his voice laced with horror.

Sitara's sobs intensified, her body shuddering.

He curiously gazed at her for an answer. Sitara shook her head immediately, bringing instant relief to Evyansh. He sighed and asked:

"Then what exactly happened? Why were you at the hotel? What are you doing there?"

Sitara gulped the lump that formed in her throat and spoke in a hoarse voice, with tears streaming down her eyes:

"After...you...threatened...me...not...meet..Didi...and...Jiju...I...Immediately...left...India...and...Came...to...London. I joined...In Oxford University...to complete...my...education...for...money...I...Started...to...In...that...hotel...as assistant manager...everything...was...good...till...yesterday...I...was...appointed...To...take...care...Dante Russo...as he was...VIP...customer...to...us...the...minute...he saw...he...Started...see...with...lust...he...started...to force...himself...on...me but...I didn't...Let...him...for...that...He...He"

Sitara couldn't complete the aftermath. She started to sob hardly, her body convulsing with each ragged breath.

Evyansh became curious about what happened after that. With curiosity, he again asked her:

"What did he do next?"

His eyes locked onto hers, filled with curious and a desire understand.Sitara's sobs intensified, her face etched in anguish.

Sitara, unable to control her weak body, leaned towards Evyansh's chest, making Evyansh stiffen. His eyes became wide with her sudden move. His heart skipped a beat, and he forgot how to breathe.

On the other hand, Sitara wasn't in her senses due to the extreme emotional baggage she had been carrying for the past months. She kept her forehead on Evyansh's chest while sobbing, speaking in a hoarse voice filled with pain:

"He...tied...me...with...ropes...plastered...my...mouth...making...me...helpless...None...came...to help...me...I was screaming...for...help...But...but...none...came...In front...of all...men...he...threw...me...on the couch...he...roamed...his...hands...all...over...my...body...He slid...the side...of...my...dress...and...started...to kiss...me...He was...about...to touch...my...chest...then...gunshots...were...heard...After...that...you...know...what...happened!"

Evyansh's face paled, his eyes filled with horror and empathy. His lips parted, as if to speak, but words failed him.

Evyansh's eyes turned red with a clenched jaw, his anger palpable. His blood boiled, hearing her words. His body trembled with rage, like a fire raging out of control, akin to a phoenix rising from the ashes. He so wanted to cut dante's body in pieces

Sitara's tears soaked Evyansh's black T-shirt. She fisted his shirt, her knuckles white with tension, and continued:

"It's...not...easy...for...a...girl...getting...molested...and...raped. It's...like...a...worst...nightmare...any girl...wouldn't...wish...for. It's...not...just...a...bad...memory...but...leaves...a...deep...scar...In...Her...Life...In...Her...Soul...Forever. It...will...be...an...unhealed...wound...till...she...dies. It's...so...painful...Ughhhhh..."

Her lips trembled with pain, her voice cracking with each word.Her face contorted in anguish, reflecting the depth of her suffering.Her body shuddered, as if reliving the horror.Her voice barely above a whisper, yet echoing with devastation and pain she was enduring.

Sitara continued crying in Evyansh's chest, her tears soaking his shirt.
She felt comfortable, warmth spreading through her body, as if his touch chased away the chill of her memories. His chest, once a battleground, now a sanctuary.

Despite their animosity, Sitara didn't push him away. Instead, she leaned in, craving the solace he offered. His touch, once repulsive, now brought her peace.

With her final words, Sitara's voice faded, her body surrendering to exhaustion. She faints in Evyansh's arms,

Evyansh closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He gently laid her down on the bed, his movements careful not to disturb her. He removed her wet strands from her face, tucking them behind her ear.

Her face, once radiant, now red and swollen from crying. Her eyes are puffy and closed, as if shielding herself from the world.

Evyansh's gaze lingered on her face, He sighed, his chest heavy with emotions.

He stood up, his eyes never leaving hers. For a moment, he forgot their differences, and forgot the pain they'd caused he caused her, their rivalry everything for a minute he even forgot who he actually was.

All he saw was Sitara, broken and vulnerable.Evyansh turned and left the room, the weight of Sitara's words.

As he stepped into the living room, Evyansh's weary body sought refuge. He closed his eyes, feeling the weight of his emotions. With a heavy sigh, he collapsed onto the couch.

He ran his hands through his hair, his fingers intertwining with the strands as if seeking solace.

He leaned back on the couch, letting his head rest against the cushion.

"Anne, bring me a strong coffee," he called out.

His voice was laced with exhaustion yet cold , his tone barely above a whisper.

Anne, his loyal maid, promptly responded.

"Yes, sir. Right away."

His heart clenched, witnessing Sitara's helpless pain. It was as if his chest was squeezed tight, leaving him breathless. He prayed to God, his voice silent but fervent, pleading for protection over all women.

Sitara was his enemy, but in that moment, her vulnerability transcended their animosity. First and foremost, she was a woman,

Evyansh knew the unbearable pain of molestation and rape. He understood the scars that never fade, the fear that haunts, and the shame that lingers.

He started to feel guilty for his actions, for threatening her. His conscience gnawed at him, questioning whether his behavior had contributed to her suffering.

For sure, she was still his enemy's daughter in his eyes, but his hatred began to waver. He saw Sitara, not just as a foe, but as a human being, broken and hurting.

He still wanted revenge, but his resolve weakened. Doubt crept in, and he wondered:

Maybe if he didn't't threaten her that day.? Maybe she wouldn't have faced this horror? Maybe his relationship with his brother and sister-in-law would be different."

Regret washed over him. He replayed their past encounters, reevaluating his actions.

He felt sad and guilty for Sitara, not just because of their connection, but because she was molested, alone and vulnerable in a foreign land.

Her isolation and helplessness weighed heavily on him.

He even helped Sitara, not despite their animosity, but because she was a woman in dire need.A woman who was
molested, battered, and bruised.

Evyansh could have done the same for anyone in her place.Regardless of their past.Regardless of their connection.His actions, driven by humanity, transcended their differences.

Evyansh headed to the gym, seeking physical release for his pent-up emotions. After a grueling workout, he returned home and strode into the guest room. He shed his sweat-drenched clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash away his tension.

Emerging refreshed, Evyansh dressed in his signature style: a black shirt with two buttons undone and sleeves folded, showcasing his muscular, veiny arms. His black trousers hugged his physique perfectly. His hair, still damp, fell messily across his forehead.

He stepped out onto the balcony,the air enveloping him. He lit a cigarette, the flame casting a golden glow on his face. Taking a long drag, he exhaled slowly, the smoke disappearing into the air

From his pocket, Evyansh retrieved his phone and dialed John, his personal assistant.

"Leave Dante naked in Snacks Cave tonight,"

Evyansh ordered, his voice cold and detached.

John, jolted awake by the sudden call, rubbed his eyes, disbelieving.

"Sir, are you sure? I mean..."

His voice trailed off, uncertainty creeping in.

Evyansh's tone brooked no argument.

"Just do it, John. No questions."

John's sleep-addled brain struggled to process the command. He knew better than to question Evyansh's orders, but this one seemed...off.

"Y-yes, sir," John stammered, committing to the task.

Saying this, Evyansh cut the call immediately, his expression unyielding. He tossed his cigarette down, the ember extinguished beneath his shoe.

As he walked out to the dining area, scrolling through his phone, his thoughts remained fixed on Dante.

Just then, Dr. Lussa emerged from Sitara's room, a warm smile on her face.

"Mr. Raisinghania, Sitara is completely fit and fine,"

she announced, her voice reassuring.

"She can use the prescribed medication for the next four days, and she'll make a full recovery."

Evyansh gazed at Dr. Lussa,He gave a curt nod, acknowledging her update.
With a nod, Dr. Lussa took her leave, disappearing into the hallway.

Evyansh seated himself at the dining table for breakfast
Suddenly, a breaking sound echoed from Sitara's room.Evyansh's head jerked up, his eyes narrowing.