Unlawfully yours - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

The estate was unnervingly quiet, but Aarav knew better than to mistake silence for peace. He sat in the study, his fingers drumming against the wooden desk. The message on his phone was still open.
"It has begun."
Ishani stood near the doorway, watching him. “Aarav, tujhe lagta hai yeh sirf dhamki hai ya…” ("Aarav, do you think this is just a threat or…")
Aarav’s jaw tightened. “Yeh sirf warning nahi hai. Yeh log chhodenge nahi.” ("This isn’t just a warning. They won’t stop.")
His mother, Asha Malhotra, walked in, a file in her hand. “Humare spies confirm kar rahe hain ki Rana aur uske log active ho gaye hain.” ("Our spies have confirmed that Rana and his people are active.")
His father, Rohit, followed. “Aur tumhe ab bas lawyer nahi, mastermind banke sochna hoga.” ("And now, you’ll have to think not just as a lawyer, but as a mastermind.")
Aarav leaned back in his chair, smirking slightly. “Main ready hoon.” ("I’m ready.")
Ishani rolled her eyes. “Tu itna overconfident kyu hai?” ("Why are you so overconfident?")
Aarav glanced at her. “Kyunki agar main nahi honga, toh tujhe kaun bachayega?” ("Because if I’m not, then who will protect you?")
Ishani’s breath caught for a second. He always did this—turned the conversation in a way that left her speechless.
Before she could retort, the estate’s security alarms blared.
Intrusion detected.
Everyone snapped into action. Aarav grabbed his phone, checking the security feeds. Multiple masked men had breached the outer gates.
His father exhaled. “Toh shuru ho gaya.” ("So it has begun.")
Asha turned to Aarav. “Yeh sirf pehla attack hai. Ye log sirf dikhana chahte hain ki yeh darane ki koshish kar rahe hain.” ("This is just the first attack. They only want to show that they’re trying to intimidate us.")
Aarav chuckled darkly. “Par main darne walo me se nahi hoon.” ("But I’m not one of those who get scared.")
Ishani watched as Aarav’s entire demeanor shifted. This wasn’t just arrogance—this was control. Aarav Malhotra wasn’t just playing this game. He was ruling it.
He turned to her. “Mujhse door raho, Ishani.” ("Stay away from me, Ishani.")
She frowned. “Mujhe lagta hai mujhe yahi rehna chahiye.” ("I think I should stay here.")
Aarav stepped closer, his voice lower. “Agar tujhe kuch ho gaya toh?” ("And if something happens to you?")
Ishani refused to back down. “Agar tujhe kuch ho gaya toh?” ("And if something happens to you?")
Aarav smirked. “Mujhe kuch nahi hoga.” ("Nothing will happen to me.")
Before she could argue.