- In KGF...

The door burst open, and the sound of ragged breathing filled the room. Reena paced back and forth, her perfectly-manicured nails rapidly disappearing under her relentless biting.

Her breaths grew shallower, more frantic, until she stopped suddenly, clutching her hair in trembling hands.

Reena - He said he will do something......Why?

- Kamal! You promised!!!!

She whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her spiraling thoughts. The setting sun cast long shadows across the room, its amber light catching the mirror beside her.

Reena - Why did he acted like he doesn't know that I'm alive? .....Why?

- Why did you act like you haven't seen me after the fire?

The sudden glare reflected onto her face, making her squint and scowl as though even the light itself conspired against her.

Reena - HE SAID HE WILL DO SOMETHING! WHY? WHY DIDN'T HE?

- Why didn't you KAMAL!!!!! Why??????

Her scream ripped through the quiet, raw and unhinged, as she yanked the tablecloth off the nearby table.

Glass and porcelain shattered against the floor in a chaotic symphony, mirroring the storm raging in her mind.

Reena ran trembling fingers through her hair, her pupils dilated with panic. Her hand returned to her mouth, teeth sinking into her nails until crimson streaks began to stain her fingertips.

Reena - I trusted him....

She hissed, her voice dripping with venom.

Reena - and this is what I GET!

The force of her rage sent more objects tumbling from the mirror stand, scattering across the floor as her outburst summoned the household staff. Maids and guards rushed into the room, their faces painted with concern that quickly twisted into fear.

The sharp, deliberate click of heels silenced the murmurs. Each step echoed with authority, cutting through the chaos.

The woman stopped just inside the room, arms folded, her eyes cold and calculating as they locked onto Reena.

Reena froze, her breaths hitching. Her gaze met the intruder's, and for a moment, she was paralyzed.

Memories of last night surged back, flooding her thoughts in a dizzying rush. Her mind raced, overwhelmed by the collision of anger, fear, and betrayal.

Reena - She was right......

- The night before the meeting in Pali...

The moonlight spilled over the bed, bathing it in a silver glow. Reena lay nestled under the sheets, her soft snores the only sound in the still night. The delicate bracelet on her wrist and the anklet on her ankle glimmered faintly, reflecting the moon's serene brilliance.

Her hair fanned out over the pillow like a cascading river, its dark strands catching the soft light. Her peaceful expression was underlined by the gentle flutter of her long eyelashes, her lips curved into the faintest smile, lost in a dream that seemed as calm as the night itself.

**Knock Knock**

The abrupt sound shattered the calm, echoing through the room. The peace that had filled around her moments ago disappeared as the knocking continued, pulling her from her dreams.

Her brows furrowed as she stirred, a soft yawn escaping her lips. Groggily, she turned her gaze toward the door, her movements sluggish as she dragged herself out of bed. Assuming it was one of the maids, she opened the door without much thought.

The figure standing in the hallway wasn't who she expected. Squinting against the dim light, she frowned at the unexpected visitor. Her expression hardened, silently questioning why this person had come to her door at such an hour.

- It's urgent...Reena...

The visitor whispered, their voice barely audible, as if fearing someone might overhear. Reena crossed her arms, her irritation clear.

Reena - Are you pulling pranks now? Leave.

She rolled her eyes and began to shut the door, but it stopped midway. She looked down, realizing the visitor's foot was wedged in the gap. Her annoyance flared.

Reena - What the hell is wrong with you? It's the middle of the night.

She hissed, her voice rising slightly as frustration laced her words. The woman leaned closer, her expression tense and shadowed by something Reena couldn't quite place-fear? Desperation? Whatever it was, it stopped Reena from slamming the door outright.

Reena narrowed her eyes as she leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed.

Reena - This better be good. And if-oh, if-you're about to start singing praises about him again, then don't.

Her tone sharpened, dripping with bitterness.

Reena - Because I swear, I'll bury you under the ground myself.

The visitor snorted, rolling her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out.

? - Oh, please, spare me the threats, princess. You wouldn't know where to dig if someone handed you a shovel.

She stepped past Reena without waiting for an invitation, brushing her shoulder against her as she entered the room. Reena's jaw tightened, her annoyance bubbling hotter.

Reena - Excuse you ~

? - No. Excuse you.

The visitor whirled around, her fiery glare locking onto Reena.

? - I didn't drag myself here in the dead of the night to listen to you whine about him or throw some half-baked threats my way.

Her voice was harsh, each word landing with precision, but there was an undertone of urgency that hinted at a bigger purpose. Reena folded her arms tighter, refusing to back down.

Reena - Then say what you came to say and leave. You're wasting my time.

The visitor let out a sharp, humorless laugh, running a hand through her hair with just a little too much force.

? - Wasting your time? Oh, that's rich coming from you. I've seen sloths move faster than you when it comes to anything important.

She jabbed a finger in Reena's direction.

? - You might want to stop acting like you've got all the time in the world because, newsflash, you don't.

Reena's eyes flashed with irritation, but she held her tongue, realizing there was something serious buried beneath all the snark.

The visitor took a breath, visibly reigning in her temper before continuing, though her tone remained clipped.

? - Listen carefully because I'm not repeating myself. Something big is coming for you. At noon tomorrow.

Her voice was calm, unnervingly steady, each word slicing through the air like a warning bell. Reena frowned, the shift in the atmosphere pressing heavily against her chest.

? - And if you think you can charm or lie your way out of this, you're more delusional than I thought.

The visitor added, her tone laced with biting sarcasm.

Reena's stomach tightened, an uneasy feeling curling low in her gut, but she kept her face impassive, unwilling to let the visitor see her unease.

Reena - And why should I trust you?

Reena shot back, her voice steady despite the rising tension.

Reena - You're not exactly the picture of reliability.

The visitor rolled her eyes, slow and deliberate, as if daring Reena to test her patience further.

? - Trust me? Oh, honey, I don't care if you trust me or not. But when they're dragging you out of this palace in bones, don't say I didn't warn you.

The jab hit harder than Reena cared to admit. She bit her inner lip, forcing herself to stay calm, even as the realization began to dawn: something big was indeed coming for her.

Reena straightened, her tone cutting as she narrowed her eyes.

Reena - If you're so intent on warning me, why not just spit it out? Tell me exactly what's coming for me instead of playing this little guessing game.

The visitor smirked, her lips curling into an expression that sent Reena's annoyance flaring all over again. Her amusement was evident, her eyes gleaming as she leaned in, her voice dropping into a mock whisper.

? - And ruin all the fun? Where's the thrill in that?

She began to circle Reena, her steps slow and measured, her gaze raking over her like a predator sizing up its prey.

? - Besides, figuring it out yourself might finally give you a reason to stop looking so bored with life.

Reena's jaw clenched as her patience wore thinner by the second.

Reena - If this is your idea of fun-

? - It is.

The visitor interrupted with a smug grin, stepping back just enough to give Reena a full view of her smirk.

? - And let me tell you, watching you squirm over what's coming? It's already shaping up to be the highlight of my week.

The visitor's smirk lingered as she leaned against the doorframe, her sharp gaze cutting through Reena's defenses.

? - One more thing...Don't trust anyone right now.

Reena raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms defensively.

Reena - Not even you?

She asked, her voice tinged with sarcasm but laced with caution as if she's making sure she can trust the visitor.

The visitor let out a dry laugh, her amusement far from reassuring.

? - Especially not me.

She leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling mix of intelligence and menace.

? - But if you want to trust someone...There's him.

Reena frowned at her words as the visitor smirked.

? - The one who trapped you in this safe place.

Reena's expression hardened, her lips curling into a bitter scowl.

Reena - Him?

? - Yes, Him. The one who made sure you're still breathing while others would have slit your throat the moment you stepped into this place.

The visitor shrugged before finishing her sentence.

? - Like it or not, he's the only reason you're still breathing. Trust only him and no one else....Not even if they're close to him.

Reena frowned, suspicion clouding her features.

Reena - Why would I trust him but not his closest companions? Aren't they supposed to be loyal to him?

The visitor's eyes narrowed, her voice dropping into a deadly whisper.

? - His so-called companions are loyal to themselves first. Don't let their fake smiles fool you. If it benefits them to betray him-and you-they won't hesitate. \

Reena's stomach churned at the words, her instincts warring with her pride. For the first time, the visitor's words struck a nerve she couldn't ignore.

Reena - What about you? Won't you do the same thing to me if a chance kicks in?

Without warning, she reached out, fingers brushing against Reena's hair, and in one swift motion, she grabbed a loose strand. Her fingers tugged lightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to send a shiver down Reena's spine.

? - But between me and the people you think are on your side? I'm the lesser evil.

She muttered, her voice low and almost affectionate in a mocking way. She lightly patted Reena's head, a gesture that could have been comforting if it weren't so laced with condescension. Reena's lips pressed into a thin line, her stomach twisting again.

Reena - Why should I believe that?

The visitor shrugged, her smirk widening as if she thrived on Reena's discomfort.

? - You don't have to. But when someone you don't trust stabs you in the back tomorrow, just remember who told you first.

Her words hung in the air like a curse, heavy and foreboding leaving Reena with no room to argue.

The visitor pulled back, her sharp gaze lingering on Reena for a moment longer, as if waiting for a response. When none came, she smirked, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face.

? - Well! I've done my good deed for the night.

He said, brushing past Reena toward the door. Her heels clicked against the floor, echoing in the silence of the room.

? - What you do with this information? That's up to you.

Reena turned to watch her leave, her fists clenched at her sides.

Reena - You're really not going to tell me everything, are you?

She asked, frustration thick in her voice. The woman shrugged before pausing at the door, glancing over her shoulder with an amused glint in her eyes.

? - Nice accessories you got there.

She whispered as Reena looked down at her bracelet and the anklet, shining as she stood right with the moonlight shone.

Reena - That lowly....She's not clear on anything.....

Reena sighed before climbing on her bed, her mind racing with the words the visitor said.

Reena - Who could it be?.......

. . . . .

Present -

- Reena....Reenaaa.....Reena.

The sharp sound of heels stopped just inside the room, the woman's presence casting a cold shadow over the chaos.

Her arms were folded, her expression one of calm disdain as she surveyed the shattered remnants of Reena's outburst.

- You've really outdone yourself this time....

The woman said, her voice dripping with condescension.

- A lavish life handed to you on a silver platter, and you repay it by destroying everything in sight. My brother's generosity clearly knows no limits.

Reena shot her a glare, her chest heaving with uneven breaths.

Reena - Don't start with me, Aadhya. 

She snapped, her voice laced with raw anger.

Reena - You wouldn't understand.

Aadhya tilted her head, her smirk widening.

Aadhya - Oh, but I do. Let me guess -- You're throwing this little tantrum because my brother won't let you go. Or....Maybe because he treats you like the prisoner you are?.....How predictable....

Reena's jaw tightened, but she forced herself to remain silent. Her thoughts raced, memories of the man and his promise that she thought he could save her, the man she trusted all her childhood. She couldn't let Aadhya know-not about him.

Aadhya crouched, picking up a shard of the shattered mirror. She held it up, tilting it to catch the light and reflect Reena's disheveled face.

Aadhya - Look at yourself.....

She said with a chuckle.

Aadhya - You're a mess. If my brother sees this, he'll think he's wasted his time keeping you alive.

Reena's fingers curled into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms to keep herself from snapping.

Aadhya - Looks like someone's got a secret~~

She mocked her but seeing Reena stay quiet, her suspicion rose. But then she chuckled, tossing the mirror onto the bed.

Aadhya - Fine, keep your little secrets. It doesn't matter. You're stuck here, Reena. No one's coming for you, and my brother isn't about to let you out of his sight.

Reena turned her back to Aadhya, her hands trembling as she fought to steady her breathing.

Reena - If you're done, leave.

She muttered, her voice cold. Aadhya smirked again, her heels clicking as she moved toward the door.

Aadhya - Suit yourself. But don't forget, Reena-loyalty is a rare thing around here. If you think someone's going to swoop in and save you, you're more delusional than I thought.

The door closed with a heavy thud, and Reena stood frozen, the weight of Aadhya's words pressing down on her.

Her chest tightened as she bit her lip, her thoughts swirling with fear and anger. She couldn't let anyone know about him-not yet. Not until she understood why he had betrayed her trust.

Reena - That woman from last night....She was right all along...

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- Next Chapter -

Somewhere in the world of KGF -

The sun dipped lower on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and crimson as the leader stood on the terrace, gazing out at the sprawling landscape.

His broad shoulders and well-sculpted frame caught the golden light, his shirt draped loosely over one side of his torso. A steaming cup of coffee sat comfortably in one hand, a stack of documents in the other.

His right-hand man, Adam, approached cautiously, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in his steps.

Adam - Boss, we've known her whereabouts for a while now.

Adam began, his tone steady but questioning.

Adam - Why did you pretend not to recognize her?

The leader turned his head slightly, his rugged yet oddly gentle face creased with mild confusion.

- What are you rambling about now, Adam?

He said, his deep voice carrying a subtle edge of authority. Adam hesitated, his brow furrowing.

Adam - I mean... what about your wound?

The leader finally turned fully, facing Adam. His sharp, commanding presence was amplified by his casual stance-the unbuttoned shirt exposing a chiseled physique, his movements deliberate yet effortless. 

His piercing gaze locked onto Adam, his lips curling into a faint smirk.

- What wound?

He asked, his tone more curious than defensive.

Adam's eyes darted to the leader's arm, confusion etched across his face. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

Adam - The wound of the gun shot Rocky gave you... back in Pali.

The leader's expression flickered, the briefest glint of surprise breaking through his calm exterior. Then, with a soft chuckle, he shook his head and took a slow sip of his coffee.

- Looks like we've got a stunt double running around stealing my spotlight. Should we go and visit the great king to make sure it was me, hm?

He said, his voice laced with amusement. His smirk deepened as he turned back toward the view, the imposing shadow of KGF visible in the distance.

. . .

Happy Reading and Do vote!

- Nini.