THE GLIDED CAGE

7

The tension in Ranveer’s office was suffocating. Ishita stood frozen between the two men, her heart racing as she tried to figure out how to stop what was about to happen. Ranveer’s cold eyes locked onto Aarav, his calm demeanor barely concealing the storm brewing beneath. Aarav, fists clenched, was trembling with fury, clearly unaware of the danger he was in.

“Aarav, please,” Ishita whispered desperately, stepping toward him. “You don’t understand. Just go home. I’ll talk to you later.”

But Aarav shook his head, his voice sharp and filled with anger. “No, Ishita. I’ve seen enough. This guy is trying to control you, and I won’t let him!”

Ranveer’s lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze darkening as he turned his full attention to Aarav. Ishita could sense the shift in his energy—he was no longer just the cold, calculating mafia king. He was ready to act, to show Aarav exactly who he was dealing with.

“Aarav, listen to your sister,” Ranveer said, his voice low and menacing. “You’re out of your depth. Walk away while you still can.”

Aarav’s jaw tightened. He took another step forward, his fists raised slightly, like he was preparing for a fight. “I’m not afraid of you. I’m not going anywhere.”

Ishita’s panic rose. She had to defuse the situation before it exploded, but her words felt trapped in her throat. She could feel Ranveer’s possessive control tightening, and Aarav’s reckless determination pushing them all toward the edge.

“Enough,” Ranveer said, his voice sharp as he moved forward, his eyes flashing with a cold warning. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with, Aarav. Don’t make me prove it.”

Aarav opened his mouth to retort, but before he could speak, Ranveer was already there. His hand shot out with lightning speed, grabbing Aarav by the collar and pulling him close, his eyes blazing with fury.

“Aarav!” Ishita cried, rushing forward, trying to pull them apart. But Ranveer’s grip was iron, unyielding. Aarav struggled, but he was no match for Ranveer’s strength.

“Let him go!” Ishita pleaded, her voice breaking. “Please, Ranveer, don’t do this!”

Ranveer didn’t even look at her. His focus was entirely on Aarav, his voice low and deadly as he spoke. “You’re going to listen to me now. You’re going to walk out of this office, and you’re going to forget everything you think you know. Because if you don’t, the consequences will be... permanent.”

Aarav, despite his fear, spat angrily. “You think you can scare me? I won’t let you control her!”

Ranveer’s expression didn’t change. His grip tightened for a split second, and Aarav winced in pain. Ishita’s heart felt like it was being ripped apart as she watched her brother suffer. She had to do something, anything, to stop this.

“Ranveer, stop!” she shouted, her voice filled with desperation. “I’ll do whatever you want. Just let him go!”

At that, Ranveer’s eyes flickered, and he slowly released his hold on Aarav’s collar. Aarav staggered back, breathing heavily, his face flushed with anger and fear. But the momentary victory felt hollow to Ishita. She had just made a dangerous promise, and Ranveer had heard it loud and clear.

Ranveer turned to face her, his expression unreadable, though a flicker of satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. “You’ll do whatever I want?”

Ishita’s throat tightened, but she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “Yes. Just leave Aarav out of this.”

Ranveer’s gaze softened slightly, but his control over the situation was still absolute. “Go home, Aarav,” he said coolly, turning back to Ishita’s brother. “This conversation is over.”

Aarav looked like he wanted to argue, but Ishita shot him a pleading look, silently begging him to listen. After a moment, Aarav relented, his fists unclenching as he backed toward the door.

“This isn’t over,” Aarav muttered, glaring at Ranveer before turning to leave.

The door slammed shut behind him, and Ishita was left standing alone with Ranveer in the oppressive silence. The tension in the room shifted again, but this time it was different—heavier, darker. Ishita knew that whatever happened next would be a turning point, one that she wasn’t ready for.

Ranveer watched her closely, his eyes scanning her face as if searching for something. “You should thank me,” he said softly, breaking the silence.

Ishita blinked, her confusion evident. “Thank you? For what? For threatening my brother? For ruining my life?”

Ranveer’s expression remained calm, but there was something dangerous in his voice. “For saving him. If it weren’t for me, he would’ve gotten himself into something far worse.”

Ishita’s heart sank. “You think this is saving him? You’re using me, controlling me—”

“I’m protecting you,” Ranveer interrupted, his tone sharp. “Both of you. From a world that would chew you up and spit you out without a second thought.”

She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “This isn’t protection, Ranveer. This is a prison.”

Ranveer stepped closer, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the storm brewing in his eyes. “You’ll understand in time,” he murmured, his voice low and possessive. “You’re mine, Ishita. And no one is going to take you from me.”

Ishita felt a tear slip down her cheek, but she didn’t pull away. She was trapped, caught between the man she feared and the man who, for some inexplicable reason, made her heart race in ways she couldn’t understand.

“But at what cost?” she whispered, her voice breaking. “What will you take from me?”

Ranveer’s gaze softened for a moment, his thumb brushing away her tear. “Everything you’re willing to give.”

The words hung in the air, suffocating her. Ishita’s world had shattered in the span of a single day, and she didn’t know how to pick up the pieces. All she knew was that Ranveer was right—she was his now. Whether she wanted to be or not.

And there was no turning back.

To be countinue
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Next episode after I get better votes and views on this  chapter