Officially mine [ MINE series book#1 ]

CHAPTER 43

Heer's POV:

We sat in silence in Ishaan's office, the room cluttered with laptops, files, and scattered papers. While Ishaan and Ayaan were focused on tracking Vikansh's location, I kept checking my phone repeatedly, desperate for any sign, any message. I felt helpless, suffocating under the weight of my worry.

When I'd arrived, Ishaan had hugged me tightly, promising he wouldn't let anything happen to Vikansh. But now, as I thought of my son—my baby, who had known only me as his protector—my eyes began to glisten. How was he holding up without me?

The silence was shattered by the sharp ring of my phone. Both Ishaan and Ayaan turned toward me, their eyes intense with anticipation. Ayaan nodded, signaling me to answer, and I took a deep breath before pressing the green button

"Hello?" I said, my voice trembling.

The line was silent. Then, suddenly, an eerie, automated voice echoed from the other end, sending chills down my spine.

"Hello, dear." My heart hammered.

"Who is this? Where's my son?" I demanded, my voice cracking with fear

A soft, mocking chuckle came through. "Slow down, dear. Your son is fine... for now." His whispered words froze me.

I glanced at Ayaan, who motioned for me to continue talking as Ishaan focused on tracing the call's location. "Please, just leave him alone!" I pleaded, desperation coloring my tone. "I'll do anything. Just let him go."

The voice hummed in mock contemplation. "Well, if you insist..." He paused, drawing out the moment as my anxiety spiked. "Come to the building behind the orphanage... alone." Ishaan gave me a thumbs up, indicating he'd tracked the location.

But before I could say anything, the voice sneered one final threat. "And remember, Heer... if you try anything clever, it'll be the last thing your precious son ever sees."

The line went dead, leaving us in silence. Ishaan looked to Ayaan. "So, what's the plan?" Ayaan responded immediately.

"We're going."

"No, not we... I'm going alone," I interjected, shaking my head.

"What?" Ishaan protested, disbelief in his voice.

"He said he'd hurt Vikansh if anyone else showed up. I can't risk it," I replied, my voice breaking under the strain. Ayaan's gaze darkened

. "He's my son too, Heer. I'd die before letting anyone harm him." His voice was fierce, resolute.

"But you're my wife . Don't expect me to sit back and do nothing while you walk into danger alone," he argued, his determination evident. Ishaan cut in, a plan already forming in his mind.

"Listen, I have an idea..." We spent the next few hours strategizing. When a final text arrived, directing me to be there by 8:00 pm sharp, we were ready.

Ayaan and Ishaan drove in one car, while I followed behind in another, each of us masked by the darkness of the abandoned road.
As I parked in front of the building, Ishaan's voice crackled in my earpiece, concealed beneath my hair. "Heer, can you hear us?"

"Yes," I whispered, my voice tight with anticipation.

"We're close. You'll be fine." Taking a deep breath, I stepped out, my heartbeat loud in my ears. Every nerve screamed in fear, but the need to save my son was stronger.

I entered the building, feeling the blade strapped to my thigh grazing against my skin. Before I could take another step, a cloth pressed against my mouth. Instinctively, I struggled, elbowing the assailant, but he dodged skillfully. The cloth's smell filled my senses, and my vision began to blur, but I fought to stay conscious.

"Now, darling, just sleep," he whispered, his lips brushing against my neck. I stomped on his foot, managing to break free, but he shoved me back into a hard wall. Pain exploded at the back of my head as warm liquid trickled down my neck.

And then, muffled noises reached my ears—Vikansh! I shoved against the man and stumbled forward, only to be yanked down by my leg.

"You're not going anywhere, you little bitch!" he snarled, and I kicked him hard in the stomach, my body aching with every movement. Suddenly, the door burst open, and Ayaan and Ishaan stormed in, armed.

I searched the room desperately until my eyes landed on Vikansh, crouched behind Ishaan. Relief washed over me, but before I could reach him, a cold metal pressed against my temple, freezing me in place.

"Back off!" the man roared, his voice trembling with desperation. Ayaan's gaze found mine, and he gave me a small nod. I blinked in silent agreement, steadying myself.

"If any of you make a move, I'll blow her head off!" he shouted, his grip tightening. In one swift move, I twisted and stabbed his arm with the dagger hidden under my sleeve.

"Ahh!" he screamed, and before he could react, Ayaan shot him in the leg, dropping him to the floor. I darted toward Vikansh, pulling him into my arms, clutching him tightly. Behind me, Ayaan holstered his gun and moved toward the fallen man, his face clouded with fury. He delivered punch after punch, unrelenting, until a small, frightened sob echoed through the room, snapping him back to reality. Ayaan turned, his expression softening at the sight of Vikansh hiding in my arms.

"Take off his mask," I demanded, needing to know who had turned our lives upside down. As the mask was pulled away, the man's face came into view. I didn't recognize him, and yet he looked at me as if I should.

"Who... are you?" I whispered, my voice hoarse. A twisted smile curled his lips.
"Don't you remember me, Heer? We were in university together. I was the kid everyone picked on. You... you were the only one who was kind to me, but you never cared about me the way I cared about you. Then my obsession startwd.istartwd following you everywhere,I knew when you slept,what clothes you'll wear and your favourite brand of candy.I had to leave for America to build a future... for us. And when I came back, you'd married this... this fucker." He glared at Ayaan with unhinged fury,while ayaan curled his gave him another punch getting him unconscious

My mind raced, piecing together fragments of memory.And then it hit me. He'd bumped into me at the airport when we returned from our honeymoon. His gaze had lingered, unsettling me then, but I hadn't thought much of it. Now, that memory rushed back with horrifying clarity. Before I could respond, the adrenaline wore off, and darkness consumed me. I heard faint cries of "Mama" and "Heer" as I slipped into unconsciousness, falling into something firm yet soft

////////////
That's it for today y'all

Guys I am really sorry for the short chapter but college is keeping me really busy.i am not promising any schedule right now but I'll try to upload as soon as I'm free

Love yall 🎀 🎀