The helicopter landed on the roof of Rohan's Seattle penthouse.
Avery hadn't said a word the entire flight. She just stared at nothing, tears drying on her cheeks.
Her bakery. Her grandmother's legacy. Gone.
Rohan helped her out of the helicopter. His hand was gentle on her arm.
"Avery—"
"Don't." Her voice was hollow. "Just... don't."
Inside the penthouse, Avery walked straight to the guest bedroom and locked the door.
She sat on the floor and finally let herself cry. Not quiet tears. Big, ugly, heartbroken sobs.
Everything she'd worked for. Every memory. The smell of fresh bread. Her grandmother's handwritten recipes. The photos on the walls. The regular customers who came every morning.
All of it. Ash.
There was a soft knock on the door.
"Go away, Rohan."
"It's not Rohan, dear."
An older woman's voice. Indian accent. Kind.
Avery wiped her face and opened the door.
Standing there was a beautiful Indian woman in her sixties. She wore an elegant saree and had the same dark eyes as Rohan.
"I'm Meera Rathore," she said gently. "Rohan's mother. May I come in?"
Avery nodded, too tired to argue.
Meera sat beside her on the floor. Not on the bed. On the floor, right next to Avery.
"My son told me what happened. I'm so sorry."
"Did he tell you why it happened?" Avery's voice was bitter. "Because I married him. Because I'm caught in his family's war."
Meera was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "Did he tell you about Anjali?"
Avery's head snapped up. "You know about her?"
"Of course. I was there." Meera's eyes were sad. "Anjali Sharma was a lovely girl. Full of life. And yes, she and Rohan dated."
"Priya said he killed her."
"Priya is broken by grief. And grief makes us see monsters where there are none." Meera took Avery's hand. "Rohan didn't kill Anjali. He tried to save her."
"What really happened?"
Meera sighed. "Six years ago, Rohan was young and stupid. Arjun convinced him to get close to Anjali to learn about her father's company. But Rohan actually fell in love with her. When he found out Arjun was planning to destroy her family's business, Rohan tried to stop it."
She paused, pain crossing her face.
"The night of the accident, Anjali had discovered Arjun's plan. She was going to the police. Arjun couldn't let that happen. He tampered with her brakes. Rohan found out too late. He tried to warn her, but..."
Tears filled Meera's eyes.
"Rohan was the one who found her car at the bottom of that cliff. He held her as she died. She made him promise to stop Arjun. To protect other people from him. That's why this inheritance matters so much. It's not about money. It's about making sure Arjun never has that kind of power again."
Avery felt like she couldn't breathe. "Why didn't he tell me?"
"Because he blames himself. He's carried that guilt for six years. And now, history is repeating itself. Another woman in danger because of him."
"My bakery—"
"Can be rebuilt," Meera said firmly. "Brick by brick. Better than before. But only if you're alive to do it."
There was another knock. Rohan's voice.
"Mom, I need to talk to Avery. Alone."
Meera squeezed Avery's hand and left.
Rohan came in. He'd changed clothes. The blood was gone. But he looked exhausted.
"I'm pulling out of the inheritance," he said.
Avery blinked. "What?"
"I'm calling my lawyers right now. I'm withdrawing. Arjun can have the company. This ends tonight."
"But that's what he wants—"
"I don't care!" Rohan's voice cracked. "I won't let him hurt you again. First Anjali, now you. I won't... I can't..." He turned away, his shoulders shaking.
Avery stood up slowly. She walked over to him.
"Rohan. Look at me."
He turned. And she saw it. Raw pain in his eyes. Guilt. Fear.
"Anjali's death wasn't your fault," she said quietly.
"You don't know that."
"Your mother told me everything. Arjun killed her. Not you."
"I should have protected her better."
"You can't control everything. You can't save everyone." Avery took a breath. "But you can stop running. You can face him. And this time, you won't be alone."
Rohan stared at her. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying we finish this. Together. We take down Arjun. We save your company. And then..." She smiled sadly. "Then we rebuild my bakery."
"Avery, this is dangerous—"
"I know. But that warehouse already burned down everything I love. I have nothing left to lose. And Arjun needs to pay for what he did to Anjali. To my bakery. To all of us."
Rohan searched her face. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure. But Rohan, I need you to be honest with me. About everything. No more secrets."
He nodded slowly. "No more secrets."
"Good. So tell me. What's our plan?"
For the first time that night, Rohan smiled. A real smile.
"I thought you'd never ask."