The house was quiet when Ahad walked down the hallway toward the kitchen, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors. He wasn't used to this kind of silence. His world had always been filled with sharp edges-meetings, deals, and people who only dared speak to him with caution in their voices.

But here, in the home that now held his wife and two small daughters, the silence felt different. It was a silence that carried warmth, even in the absence of sound.

When he entered the kitchen, he found Naira at the counter, her back to him as she poured milk into two small cups. The soft aroma of honey drifted through the air, and Ahad immediately knew the cups were for Zara and Mina.

"You're up early," he said, his voice low.

Naira jumped slightly, the milk jug almost slipping from her hands. She turned, her wide eyes meeting his. "I didn't hear you," she said softly, her fingers tightening around the cups.

"I didn't mean to startle you." Ahad moved closer, his steps slow and deliberate. He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms as he watched her. "Are the girls awake already?"

"They always wake up early," Naira said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I thought I'd bring them something before they start running around the house."

Ahad's gaze softened, though his voice remained calm. "You don't have to do everything yourself, you know."

She glanced at him, her expression guarded. "I'm used to it."

His jaw tightened slightly at her words, but he didn't push further. Instead, he reached for the cups. "Let me take these."

Her brows furrowed. "You don't have to-"

"I want to," he said, cutting her off gently but firmly.

For a moment, she hesitated, her lips parted as if she wanted to argue. But something in his steady gaze made her relent. "Alright," she said finally, stepping aside.

The girls were sitting on the floor in the living room, their giggles filling the air as they played with a small set of wooden blocks. When Ahad entered with the cups of milk, they looked up, their faces lighting up.

"Uncle Ahad!" Zara exclaimed, running to him and wrapping her tiny arms around his leg.

"It's not 'Uncle Ahad' anymore," he said, crouching down to her level. "It's Baba now."

Zara's eyes widened, her small face scrunching up in thought. "Baba?"

Ahad nodded, handing her the cup of milk. "If you want, that is."

Zara stared at him for a moment, then grinned. "Okay, Baba!"

Mina, who had been watching quietly from the side, ran to him as well, clutching her own comfort bear. "Me too?"

"Of course," Ahad said, holding out the second cup. "Always."

The girls giggled as they sat back down, sipping their milk and resuming their game. Naira stood in the doorway, watching the scene with an unreadable expression.

Ahad glanced at her, his voice soft but firm. "This is their home now. Their family. No one will take that from them."

Her chest tightened at his words, and she quickly looked away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Later that day, Ahad was in his study, going over security reports when Sameer entered. His right-hand man, calm and efficient as ever, handed him a folder filled with updates on one of their recent operations.

"They've started asking questions," Sameer said, his tone low. "People are noticing you've been... preoccupied."

Ahad's jaw tightened. "Let them notice," he said coldly, flipping through the folder. "I don't owe anyone an explanation."

Sameer hesitated, clearly debating whether to speak further. "There's also been talk about the woman and the children. People are asking who they are."

Ahad's eyes darkened, the air in the room growing colder. "They're my family. That's all anyone needs to know."

Sameer nodded quickly. "Understood, boss."

As Sameer left, Ahad leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly against the desk. His reputation as a cold, unyielding figure in the underworld had always been his greatest weapon. But here, within these walls, with Naira and the girls, he found himself wanting something else entirely.

The shift in Ahad's demeanor became evident later that evening when the family gathered for dinner. The twins chattered excitedly about their day, their small hands gesturing wildly as they described their latest adventures in the garden.

Naira watched quietly, her gaze flitting between the girls and Ahad, who sat at the head of the table. He listened intently to every word they said, nodding and occasionally asking questions that made the girls laugh.

But then, when one of the house staff accidentally bumped into Naira while clearing a plate, Ahad's expression changed instantly. His sharp gaze snapped to the staff member, who immediately apologized and backed away.

"Be more careful," Ahad said, his voice icy.

Naira's eyes widened slightly, her hand instinctively brushing over her arm where the staff member had touched her. "It's alright," she said softly, her voice breaking the tension.

Ahad's gaze flicked to her, his features softening almost immediately. "Are you okay?" he asked, his tone much gentler.

She nodded, though her heart was still racing from the sudden shift in his demeanor. "I'm fine."

But Ahad wasn't convinced. He leaned closer, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "If anyone makes you uncomfortable, you tell me. Understood?"

Naira stared at him, her chest tightening at the intensity in his gaze. "Alright," she whispered.

That night, as Naira tucked Zara and Mina into bed, she found herself thinking about Ahad. About the way he had defended her at dinner, the way he had looked at her as if she were the most important person in the room.

She sat by the window in her room afterward, staring out at the dark garden below. The sound of soft footsteps made her turn, and she saw Ahad standing in the doorway, his shawl draped over one shoulder.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, his voice quiet.

She shook her head. "No."

He stepped into the room, his movements slow and deliberate. "You've been quiet all day," he said, stopping a few feet away. "What's on your mind?"

Naira hesitated, her hands twisting in her lap. "I'm not used to... someone defending me. Or looking out for me the way you do."

Ahad's expression softened, and he crouched down in front of her, his large frame making her feel both small and protected. "You don't have to get used to it," he said quietly. "Because it's not going to change."

Her throat tightened, and she looked away, unsure of how to respond.

Ahad reached out slowly, his hand hovering for a moment before resting lightly on the arm of her chair. "I know you don't trust me yet," he said, his voice steady. "But I'll prove to you, every day, that you can."

Her eyes filled with tears, and she quickly blinked them away. "Thank you," she whispered.

Ahad nodded, standing and stepping back. "Get some rest, Naira. You're safe here."

As he left the room, Naira sat in silence, her heart heavy with emotions she didn't yet know how to name.