Half Blood

37. Scarlet Doesn't Bleed.

The air in the hallway turned brittle the moment Xavier thrust the phone in front of her.

Maheer's breath hitched for a second, only once. Her spine remained straight.

Karan Dixit.

His hand gripping her arm.

His lips pressed to hers.

Her eyes in the photo were wide with shock, her body visibly frozen.

There were other articles as well:

"The Final Hours of Karan Dixit: A Hidden Kiss with Rajput Heiress Emerges After Nine Years"

Her breath hitched. She hadn't even known this photo existed.

Xavier's voice was flat. "It's everywhere."

Varun looked over her shoulder. "This... This is from that night, isn't it?"

Maheer didn't answer.

She returned the phone, her voice cold. "I need to be alone."

Varun moved forward. "Wait, Maheer, don't go out like this—"

Xavier stepped forward, too. "Ma'am, it would be unwise to—"

"I said I need to be alone." Her voice was calm but carried the weight of an iceberg.

Without waiting for their reactions, she turned and walked away, fast, vanishing into the corridor.

The two men looked at each other.

Xavier didn't chase her.

But someone else did.

From the shadows behind a nearby column, Veeransh stepped out and silently followed her, keeping a careful distance.

On the other hand, chaos brewed behind her.

Adarsh stood awkwardly by the side, holding out his phone like it was a weapon.

"Sir... You need to see this. Now."

Atharyu took the phone, his jaw tightening as he read the headline and saw the photo.

The air shifted.

"What the hell..." Aditya murmured, grabbing the phone from Atharyu's hands.

His expression turned deadly. "That son of a— This was before he died."

Kabeer looked stunned. "Who had this for nine years?" And why now?!"

Rudra cursed under his breath. "They're trying to expose her. Humiliate her."

"She looks terrified in that photo," Shaurya said, his voice cracking.

"I want to revive him and kill him again," Aarav gritted.