The air was electric, the party in full swing as laughter and conversation filled the grand hall. The live orchestra had shifted to a more subdued tune, the soft notes creating a romantic backdrop to the elegant evening.

Naira sat at a table near the edge of the room, her ankle still throbbing slightly from the earlier strain. Ahad had been called away to speak with a few business associates, though he kept glancing back at her every few minutes as if ensuring she was still safe.

She smiled faintly to herself, tracing the edge of her glass of water. His protectiveness, while overwhelming at times, had become a source of comfort. She trusted him-more than she had trusted anyone in years.

"Mind if I sit here?"

The voice startled her, low and unfamiliar. She looked up to see a man standing beside her, his sharp suit and polished smile a stark contrast to the unease that rippled through her.

"Ah... the seat's taken," she said, her voice steady but polite.

The man chuckled softly, pulling out the chair and sitting down anyway. "By whom? Khan? He's busy right now, sweetheart. You can spare me a moment."

Her chest tightened at the audacity of his words. The way he leaned slightly forward, invading her space, made her stomach churn. "I think you should leave," she said firmly, her voice louder this time.

"Come on," he drawled, ignoring her protest. "I just want to talk. No harm in that."

She leaned back, her eyes scanning the crowd for Ahad. But he was too far across the room, his back turned as he spoke to a group of men in hushed tones.

The man reached forward, his fingers brushing against her wrist. The moment he touched her, every nerve in her body screamed in alarm.

"Don't," she said sharply, yanking her hand away.

"Relax," he said, smirking. "I'm just-"

He didn't finish his sentence.

In the blink of an eye, Ahad was there, his hand gripping the man's wrist with a force that made the stranger wince. The room seemed to go silent as Ahad loomed over him, his face a mask of cold fury.

"She said don't," Ahad growled, his voice deadly low.

The man's confident smirk faltered as he tried to pull his hand free. "Khan, I-"

"Do you know who you just touched?" Ahad cut him off, his tone sharp enough to make the man flinch. "That's my wife."

The weight of those words hung heavy in the air, and the man's face paled.

"Ahad, it's fine," Naira said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

But it wasn't fine.

Ahad's grip tightened, and the man let out a low hiss of pain. "You have two options," Ahad said, his voice as cold as ice. "Apologize and leave quietly, or I make an example of you right here."

The man's eyes darted around, panic clear in his expression. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"Leave," Ahad barked, cutting him off again.

The man scrambled to his feet, clutching his wrist as he stumbled away. The tension in the room eased slightly as the other guests returned to their conversations, though many continued to cast curious glances in their direction.

Ahad turned to Naira, his sharp edges softening the moment his eyes met hers. He crouched beside her chair, his hands moving to gently cup her face. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, her breath catching at the intensity in his gaze. "I'm fine."

"Did he hurt you?" he pressed, his thumbs brushing over her cheeks.

"No," she said quickly, her hands covering his to calm him. "You stopped him before anything happened."

His jaw tightened as he exhaled slowly, his forehead resting against hers for a moment. "If anyone ever touches you like that again..." He didn't finish the sentence, but the fire in his eyes made it clear that there wouldn't be a next time.

Her heart ached at the raw protectiveness in his voice. "Ahad," she said softly, her fingers curling around his wrists. "I'm okay. Really."

He leaned back slightly, his hand moving to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "You shouldn't have to be okay after something like that. No one gets to treat you like you don't matter."

Her throat tightened, and she looked down, overwhelmed by the weight of his words.

"Look at me," he murmured, tilting her chin up gently. "You matter, Naira. You and the girls-you're my entire world. I'll never let anyone take that from me."

She nodded, unable to speak as tears pricked her eyes. He stood, offering her his hand.

"Come on," he said, his voice softer now. "Let's get some air."

They stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air washing over them. Naira leaned against the railing, her arms crossed as she tried to steady her breathing.

Ahad stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. "You're safe now," he said quietly, his thumbs brushing against the fabric of her dress.

"I know," she replied, turning to face him. Her eyes met his, and she saw the storm of emotions he was trying to contain-anger, guilt, and an unwavering need to protect her.

She reached up, placing her hands on his chest. "You don't always have to carry everything on your own, you know."

His brows furrowed slightly. "You and the girls are my responsibility."

"We're your family," she corrected gently. "And family doesn't mean you have to do it all by yourself. I'm here too, Ahad. For you."

Her words seemed to break something in him. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if she might slip away if he let go. She rested her cheek against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You're not going to lose me," she said firmly, wrapping her arms around him. "We're not going anywhere."

For the rest of the evening, Ahad didn't leave her side, his hand never straying far from hers. And though the night had started with tension, it ended with a quiet sense of reassurance-proof that together, they could face anything.