The knock at the door came just as Naira was settling her daughters down for their afternoon nap. The sound made her freeze in place, her heart pounding against her ribs.

Ahad was in the living room, going over some documents when the sound interrupted his concentration. He stood immediately, his sharp instincts kicking in as he crossed the room to the front door.

Opening it, he found a woman standing on the porch. She was in her mid-thirties, dressed in a professional pantsuit, holding a clipboard and wearing a neutral expression.

"Good afternoon," she said. "I'm Anna Clarke, a caseworker with Child Protective Services."

Ahad's jaw tightened slightly, though his face betrayed nothing. "What can I help you with?"

The woman glanced down at her clipboard before looking back at him. "We received a report about the safety and well-being of two children believed to be living here. I'm here to conduct a welfare check."

Ahad stepped forward, blocking her view of the interior. "Who made the report?"

"I'm afraid I can't disclose that information," she replied, her tone polite but firm.

"Then what exactly is the concern?"

Anna adjusted her stance, clearly used to this kind of pushback. "The report stated that the children's living arrangements might be unstable and that their guardian may not have the resources to care for them properly."

Ahad's eyes narrowed. He was already guessing how this had happened-loose ends from the raid, whispers in the wrong ears, someone questioning why Naira and her daughters had disappeared without a trace.

"Listen," he said, his voice calm but unyielding. "The children are safe. More than safe. Whatever information you've received is inaccurate."

Anna smiled politely. "I'd still need to speak with the children's guardian. May I come in?"

Naira's pulse raced as Ahad entered the room with the woman behind him. She stood quickly, instinctively stepping in front of her daughters as they dozed on the couch.

"It's okay," Ahad said softly, raising a hand to calm her. "This is Anna Clarke. She's a CPS caseworker."

At those words, Naira's face went pale. Her fingers gripped the back of the couch so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "They can't take them. They can't!"

"Mrs...." Anna hesitated, glancing at her clipboard. "I'm sorry, I don't have your full name."

Naira didn't answer, her breathing coming faster as panic set in.

Ahad stepped forward, his presence steady and commanding. "It's Ms. Khan," he said firmly. "She and her daughters are under my care."

Anna raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for Naira to respond.

"They're mine," Naira said finally, her voice trembling. "No one's taking them."

Anna offered a sympathetic smile. "I'm not here to take them, Ms. Khan. I'm here to make sure they're safe. If everything checks out, we'll close the file."

Ahad noticed the way Naira's hands shook, her panic barely contained. He stepped closer to her, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Let me handle this."

She hesitated, her wide eyes meeting his. Something in his calm, unwavering gaze reassured her, and she nodded reluctantly.

They moved into the kitchen, where Anna began asking questions.

"How long have you been living here?"

"A few days," Naira answered softly.

"And where were you staying before this?"

Naira faltered, her throat tightening. "We were... between places."

Anna frowned slightly, making notes on her clipboard. "And what's your source of income? How do you support your children?"

Ahad interjected smoothly. "She doesn't have to worry about that. I've made sure she and the girls have everything they need."

Anna's gaze shifted to him. "And who exactly are you?"

"I'm Ahad Khan," he said evenly. "I run a business in security and logistics. Ms. Khan and her daughters are under my protection."

The caseworker raised an eyebrow. "Are you a relative?"

"No," Ahad replied. "But I'm responsible for them."

"That's a little unusual," Anna said carefully. "Is there any legal arrangement in place? Guardianship, perhaps?"

"We're in the process of formalizing things," Ahad said without hesitation.

Naira's heart raced as she listened, her hands gripping the edge of the table. Every question felt like a test she was destined to fail, every answer bringing her closer to losing the only thing that mattered-her daughters.

Anna set her pen down, folding her hands over her clipboard. "I'll be honest," she said. "The living conditions here seem fine. Better than fine, actually. But without any legal ties between you and Mr. Khan, this arrangement could be considered unstable. The girls' welfare comes first, and we need to ensure they're in a secure, permanent environment."

"What does that mean?" Naira asked, her voice breaking.

"It means," Anna said gently, "that if a more stable arrangement isn't in place soon, we may have to involve additional services. Possibly foster care."

Naira's eyes filled with tears, her body trembling as she clutched the table for support.

"They're not going anywhere," Ahad said, his voice steel.

Anna looked at him carefully. "Then you'll need to formalize this arrangement quickly. I'll give you some time to sort things out, but I'll need an update within the next two weeks."

With that, she stood, handing Ahad her card. "If you have questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to call."

Ahad took the card but didn't respond, his eyes fixed on Naira as Anna let herself out.

As soon as the door closed, Naira sank into a chair, her face buried in her hands. "They'll take them," she whispered, her voice breaking. "They'll take my girls."

Ahad crouched in front of her, his hands resting lightly on his knees. "No one is taking them," he said firmly.

"How can you know that?" she cried, tears streaming down her face. "I have nothing-no job, no home, nothing legal to keep them with me!"

"You have me," Ahad said quietly.

She froze, her tear-streaked face lifting to meet his gaze.

"There's a way to make this official," he continued. "A way to make sure no one questions your right to keep them."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

He held her gaze, his voice steady and deliberate. "If we get married, it will give you the legal stability CPS needs to leave you and the girls alone. They'll see you as part of a secure, permanent household."

Naira stared at him, her mind reeling. "Married? But... why would you do that?"

"To protect you and your daughters," he said simply. "That's all."

She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I can't... I can't ask you to do that."

"You're not asking," Ahad replied. "I'm offering."

Her breath hitched, her mind racing with doubts and fears. But as she looked into his calm, unwavering eyes, a single thought broke through the chaos.

He was her only hope.