Chapter 14 - Bound by the Unseen Chains

A Line Crossed -

Pranavi’s breath hitched at Vedant’s words.

"Now, it’s not just you I need to keep an eye on. It’s everything connected to you."

Her fingers clenched into fists. "You don’t decide what happens in my life, Vedant."

Vedant tilted his head slightly, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "That’s where you’re wrong, wifey. I already have."

Anger flared inside her. "Stop calling me that!"

Vedant leaned in, his voice a teasing whisper. "Then stop reacting to it."

Pranavi took a step back, trying to put distance between them. "Whatever game you’re playing, I want no part of it. Stay out of my life."

Vedant’s expression hardened, the amusement in his eyes replaced with something more dangerous. "That’s not an option anymore, Pranavi."

Before she could respond, he stepped even closer, forcing her to look up at him. His voice was softer now, but laced with something firm. "I told you, I’m not your enemy. But there are people out there who won’t hesitate to use you against me. You don’t understand the world you’ve stepped into."

Pranavi swallowed, the weight of his words pressing against her chest. "Then explain it to me."

Vedant let out a low chuckle. "Not yet. You’re not ready."

Her frustration boiled over. "And who are you to decide that?"

Vedant’s eyes darkened. "The man who just saved you from being kidnapped five minutes ago."

Pranavi’s breath caught. "What…?"

Vedant took out his phone, turned it towards her, and pressed play on a video. The footage was grainy, taken from what seemed like a security camera outside her university. Two men stood near a bike, their eyes scanning the crowd. One of them pointed in her direction, and before they could make a move—Vedant’s black SUV pulled up, making them disappear into the crowd.

She felt the ground slip beneath her feet. "They were… watching me?"

Vedant nodded, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Not just watching. Waiting."

A shiver ran down her spine. "Who were they?"

Vedant’s expression turned unreadable. "Not important. What matters is, they won’t get another chance."

Pranavi exhaled shakily. She hated to admit it, but a part of her felt… relieved that Vedant had been there.

But she wasn’t ready to trust him yet.

"And how do I know you’re not behind this?" she challenged.

Vedant’s gaze turned cold. "If I wanted you, Pranavi, you wouldn’t be standing here questioning me."

The intensity in his voice made her stomach twist. She hated that she believed him.

---

A Brother’s Warning -

Pranavi didn’t tell Aarav about the incident. Not yet. She knew how he would react—how he would go to war against Vedant without even knowing the full story.

But avoiding the truth didn’t mean she could avoid the tension.

That night at dinner, Aarav noticed her distracted state. "Everything okay?"

She forced a small smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

Aarav studied her for a moment before setting his fork down. "I saw Vedant today."

Pranavi’s grip tightened on her spoon. "Oh?"

Aarav’s jaw clenched. "He’s getting too close, Pranavi. I don’t like it."

"It’s not like I’m inviting him into my life," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Aarav leaned forward. "Then make sure he knows that. Because if he doesn’t back off… I will make him."

There was something deadly in his tone, and for the first time, Pranavi realized—this wasn’t just about her anymore.

This was a war waiting to explode.

---

A Call That Changed Everything -

Later that night, Pranavi sat in her room, her mind replaying everything that had happened that day. The message. The confrontation. The men at the university.

Her phone vibrated. Unknown Number.

She hesitated before answering. "Hello?"

Silence.

Then—

"You should’ve been ours today, little doll."

Her blood ran cold.

"Shame your protector got in the way. Next time, he won’t be so lucky."

The call ended.

Pranavi stared at her screen, her hands trembling.

She didn’t know who they were.

But she knew one thing—

She was in danger.

And the only person who could keep her safe…

Was the man she had been trying to run from.

(Pranavi sits frozen, her phone slipping from her fingers. Outside her window, a black SUV is parked in the shadows… waiting.)

...