Unlawfully yours - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

The tension in the estate was suffocating. The air buzzed with something unspoken, a war that had already begun long before Ishani had stepped into it. Aarav stood near the window, his fingers tapping against the glass, deep in thought. Ishani watched him, her mind still reeling from the events of the past few hours.
Ishani crossed her arms, still unsettled. “So, ab kya?” ("So, what now?")
Aarav didn’t turn to look at her. “Ab yeh khel shuru hoga.” ("Now, the real game begins.")
His voice was calm, but there was an underlying storm behind it. Ishani had seen this look before—when Aarav was on the verge of something dangerous.
His phone vibrated again. Another message.
"We know where you are. Time’s up."
Aarav let out a slow breath before finally turning to her. “Tayyar ho?” ("Are you ready?")
Ishani frowned. “Tayyar kis cheez ke liye?” ("Ready for what?")
Aarav smirked, the intensity in his eyes sending a shiver down her spine. “Jung ke liye.” ("For war.")
The estate doors opened again, and Rohit walked in, his expression unreadable. “Aarav, humein baat karni hogi.” ("Aarav, we need to talk.")
Aarav glanced at Ishani before following his father into the study. She debated whether to join them but decided against it. This was their battle, their history. But something about all of this felt… too personal.
Something about Aarav’s past was about to come out, and she had a sinking feeling it would change everything.
Across the city, in a dimly lit room, several men sat around a long table. A large screen displayed Aarav Malhotra’s image, with details about his lineage, education, and every case he had touched.
The man at the head of the table exhaled a long drag from his cigarette, eyes narrowing at the screen.
“So, the son of Rohit and Asha Malhotra thinks he can play this game?”
A younger man to his left chuckled. “Uska law background hai, par uska attitude kisi gangster jaisa hai.” ("He has a law background, but his attitude is like a gangster.")
The leader smirked. “Exactly. Aur gangster ke saath law nahi, jung hoti hai.” ("And with a gangster, we don’t play with the law. We go to war.")
A silent agreement passed through the room. Aarav Malhotra had just made enemies who weren’t bound by courtroom rules. They played by their own laws.
And now, it was personal.
Back at the estate, Ishani paced outside the study, her mind restless. She could hear faint voices—Aarav’s low, controlled tone and Rohit’s firm but measured response. Every now and then, Asha’s voice would cut through, adding another layer of authority.
She was still trying to process everything.
Aarav had always been different. The way he carried himself, the way he handled pressure—now it all made sense. He had grown up watching the most powerful lawyers in the country dismantle empires with nothing but words and evidence.
But he wasn’t just his parents’ son. He was something more.
She exhaled, rubbing her temples. Before she could think further, the study doors swung open. Aarav stepped out, his expression unreadable, followed by his father.
Rohit’s sharp gaze settled on her. “You should leave.”
Ishani stiffened. “Kyun?” ("Why?")
Asha sighed, stepping beside her husband. “Kyunki jo hone wala hai, usmein tumhara hona safe nahi hai.” ("Because what’s coming next isn’t safe for you.")
Ishani set her jaw. “Agar yeh Aarav ke saath hai, toh main kahin nahi ja rahi.” ("If this involves Aarav, then I’m not going anywhere.")
Rohit studied her for a long moment before shaking his head. “Ziddi hai.” ("She’s stubborn.")
Asha smiled slightly. “Ek aur Malhotra ke saath rahne ke liye ziddi hona zaroori hai.” ("To be with another Malhotra, stubbornness is necessary.")
Aarav smirked at that, but his eyes held something else—a silent warning.
“Tum yahan reh sakti ho,” ("You can stay here,") Aarav said finally. “Par ab jo hoga, uske liye tayyar rehna.” ("But be prepared for what’s coming next.")
Ishani held his gaze. “Main ready hoon.” ("I’m ready.")
She wasn’t. Not really. But she knew one thing—whatever storm was coming, she wasn’t going to leave Aarav to face it alone.
In another part of the city, Agent Nira sat in her darkened apartment, a file open before her. Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the table as she read the latest intelligence report.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: "Malhotra ke ladke ko information mil gayi hai. Ab kya karein?" ("The Malhotra boy has the information. What should we do?")
She exhaled, her mind racing.
If Aarav Malhotra was in the game now, then things had just become far more dangerous.
She typed back a quick response.
"Don’t make a move yet. I’ll handle it myself."
As she set her phone down, she let out a slow breath. This case was about to uncover secrets no one was ready for.