Everything I Wanted❤ |COMPLETED|

Chapter 26

Third Person (POV)-

Rahul approached him slowly.

Danish hadn't moved from where he was sitting- elbows on his knees, gaze fixed on the floor like he was holding something in.

"Found out who's behind this," Rahul said quietly.

No response from him, not even a glance, Rahul exhaled.

"It's her, isn't it?"

That made Danish look up.

Just certain.

Rahul didn't need to say anything else.

Silence confirmed it.

Danish leaned back against the wall, tilting his head slightly, eyes closing for a brief second.

"I'm going to make Alisha regret breathing," he said calmly. "Let her brother try saving her this time."

There was no rage in his voice.

That was the problem.

Rahul studied him.

"How are you so sure?"

Danish opened his eyes again, gaze distant.

"The moment she came back to India, I knew she wouldn't stay quiet," he said. "She doesn't do distance."

A pause.

"She's still with Mehra, and he's using her to get to me."

His jaw tightened slightly.

"But Kashvi, " he continued, quieter now, "she's the easiest way in."

Rahul nodded slowly.

"They hurt her to test you," he said.

Danish didn't reply because that part didn't need confirmation.

Rahul glanced around.

"Aunty? Sam?"

"I sent them home," Danish said. "She's stable."

Rahul sat beside him, finally allowing himself to breathe.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

"What now?" Rahul asked, voice low.

Danish didn't hesitate this time.

"I let them think they're ahead," he said. "I secure Kashvi first, then I step in."

His fingers laced together loosely.

"Alisha and Mehra won't see it coming."

"And keep Kaushik out of it."

Rahul frowned slightly, but didn't question it, not now.

Silence settled again.

He could see it- the exhaustion, the restraint and the storm sitting just beneath the surface.

Then Danish spoke, almost like he wasn't supposed to say it out loud.

"You were right."

Rahul turned.

Danish's gaze was fixed on the glass panel ahead.

On her.

"I care about her," he said simply, just truth.

His voice dropped further.

"I can't see her like this."

A pause.

"It throws me off."

That was the closest he'd come to admitting helplessness.

Rahul watched him carefully.