The unexpected visitor’s voice sliced through the silence, his words dripping with familiarity. “Seema, it’s been a while.” The man stepped into the dimly lit room, his presence a shadow from the past. Vikrant’s grip on Seema’s hand tightened, his knuckles whitening as he recognized the face. It was Raj, an old flame from Seema’s past, someone she had mentioned only in passing. Vikrant’s jealousy ignited like a wildfire, fueled by the knowledge that Seema had always been honest with him—that he was her first and only.

Without hesitation, Vikrant stepped forward, his hand shooting out to deliver a stinging slap across Raj’s face. The sound echoed through the room, sharp and final. Raj stumbled back, his hand instinctively rising to his cheek, but Vikrant wasn’t done. He spun around, his eyes blazing with fury and protectiveness, and pulled Seema into his arms. “I love you,” he growled, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ll protect you from everything, every single day. No one will ever hurt you again.”