ZAYAN SHAH:
They say time heals all wounds.
Liars.
It's been twelve years since that fire, yet the memory still claws at my chest like it happened yesterday—the screams, the smoke, the silence that followed. Zareen's silence.
I don't believe in justice. Only balance. And balance is when the man who let my sister die pays—not with blood, but with something far more valuable.
His daughter.
I lean back in my chair, the dim lights of my penthouse casting long shadows across the marble floor. Outside, the city sparkles like it's alive, unaware of the darkness pulsing just beneath its surface.
"Sir," Imran says, stepping into my office. "She's here."
My lips curl into a slow smile.
Alina Raza. Twenty-one. Final year student. Top of her class. Quiet. Strong-willed. Naïve enough to believe the world still holds kindness.
She has no idea what kind of hell she's about to walk into.
"Bring her in."
I watch the door as it opens. She steps in hesitantly, her gaze sweeping over the room before it settles on me. Brown eyes. Nervous hands. Head held high despite it all.
She looks exactly like her father.
And nothing like him.
She's… softer. Untouched. Not broken—yet.
"What do you want from me?" she asks, skipping pleasantries, desperation clear in her voice.
I rise, slowly. Let her feel my presence. Let her understand who holds the power in this room.
"Your brother made a mistake," I say, circling her like a predator. "One that could ruin your entire family."
Her lips tremble. "He's innocent."
"They all are—until they're not."
She swallows hard, and I can see the walls she's trying to build. But it's too late. I'm already inside.
"I'll help him," I say smoothly, my voice silk over steel. "But everything has a price, Miss Raza."
She stiffens. "How much?"
I stop in front of her, tilt her chin up with two fingers. She flinches but doesn't step back. Brave little dove.
"I don't want your money."
She blinks. Confused. Scared.
"I want you."
Her breath catches.
"One year," I continue. "You'll belong to me. Completely. No questions. No conditions. You'll stay wherever I say, do as you're told. I own you."
She jerks her face away, fury in her eyes. "You're insane."
"Maybe," I murmur. "But I'm the only one who can keep your brother out of prison."
Silence falls between us like a blade.
I see it then—the exact moment her strength cracks, just enough. Her fists clench at her sides. She's trembling, but not from fear. From restraint.
Good.
Break slowly, little dove. So I can put the pieces back exactly how I want.
She doesn't say yes.
But she doesn't say no either.
And that's all the permission I need.
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