AUTHOR POV
The docks were silent, but the air thrummed with danger. Inaya's gun was steady in her hand, her pulse steady despite the pain in her arm. Every instinct screamed that she was being watched—and she was right.
A shadow shifted near the stacked crates. Calm. Calculated. Like a predator circling its prey.
"Show yourself," Inaya's voice cut through the night, low and dangerous. "I don't have time for games."
The figure stepped out slowly, mask reflecting the dim light. Tall. Broad-shouldered. And the way they moved… precise. Professional. Not just a hunter… a killer.
"You shouldn't have destroyed her shipment," the masked figure said, voice smooth, almost amused.
"I don't follow rules written by cowards hiding behind masks," Inaya replied, her eyes narrowing. "Step closer, or die where you stand."
The first shot rang out. Bullets ricocheted off metal crates, sparks flying. Inaya rolled to the side, firing twice, hitting the figure in the shoulder. He staggered, but didn't fall.
Impressive, she thought, gritting her teeth. Too impressive.
Gunfire erupted from all directions as hidden men joined the fight. Inaya moved like shadow incarnate, ducking, sliding, shooting—her black jacket catching blood from a graze on her arm. Pain shot through her, but she didn't falter.
She kicked a crate into a man charging her, sending him crashing into the water. Another went down under a precise headshot.
And then—he was gone. The masked hunter. One moment in front of her, the next vanished behind crates and shadows.
A sudden explosion to her right sent her flying into a container. Pain exploded through her arm again. She hissed but rolled to her feet, firing blindly into the smoke.
"You can't hide forever," she growled, heart hammering.
From the shadows, a hand grabbed her jacket, yanking her toward the hunter. She spun, slamming her elbow into his chest, but he was fast—too fast.
And then… he pulled off his mask.
Inaya froze.
It wasn't a stranger.
It was someone she knew.
Someone she had never expected.
Eyes cold. Smile dark. A history she thought buried, now staring back at her, alive and lethal.
"You?" she whispered, shock slicing through the pain in her arm.
He smirked. "Surprised, Devil Queen? I always told you… nothing stays hidden forever."
Inaya's blood ran cold, but the fire in her chest burned brighter. This was no ordinary fight. This was personal.
He smirked. "i m back"
inaya ali shah pov
Morning light crept softly through the curtains, spilling golden rays across the quiet room.
The sun rested gently on Inaya's face, warming her skin.
She stirred slightly, her brows knitting together before her eyes slowly fluttered open.
For a moment, she simply stared at the ceiling.
Another day.
Another battle.
Inaya sat up on the bed, pushing her silky black hair away from her face.
Without wasting time, she stepped out of bed and moved toward the balcony doors, sliding them open.
Cool morning air brushed against her skin.
She closed her eyes and began her routine.
Stretch.
Breathe.
Focus.
Her movements were controlled and elegant as she did a few exercises—squats, stretches, and light yoga poses.
It wasn't just for fitness. It was the only time her mind felt quiet.
After twenty minutes, she headed to the bathroom.
The warm shower washed over her like rain, the water sliding down her shoulders as she stood still under it for a few seconds longer than necessary.
As if trying to wash away the weight in her chest.
When she stepped out, she wrapped a towel around herself and moved to her dressing table.
A few minutes later, Inaya appeared in a crisp ivory blouse tucked into high-waisted black trousers. Her makeup was minimal yet flawless—soft nude lips, light eyeliner, and perfectly shaped brows. Her expression, however, remained unreadable.
Calm.
Cold.
Untouchable.
She grabbed her phone and walked downstairs.
The dining hall buzzed with morning chatter. Plates clinked softly, and the aroma of parathas and tea filled the air.
Her family was already seated.
Her grandfather sat at the head of the table like always, his presence commanding. Her father beside him, her mother across the table, and the others scattered around.
As soon as Inaya entered, the room quieted slightly.
She took her seat gracefully.
"Good morning," she said calmly.
"Morning, beta," her mother replied with a gentle smile.
Just as she picked up her teacup, her grandfather cleared his throat.
The room went completely silent.
"Inaya," he said in his deep authoritative voice. "We finalized the engagement date."
Everyone at the table stiffened.
Her mother's fingers tightened around her cup.
Her father avoided looking at her.
Her brothers exchanged quick glances.
They all expected the same thing.
Anger.
Refusal.
A storm.
But Inaya didn't react.
She slowly placed the teacup back onto the table.
Then she lifted her gaze toward her grandfather.
Her face showed nothing.
No anger.
No sadness.
Just emptiness.
"When?" she asked.
Her grandfather blinked slightly, surprised by the calm question.
"Tomorrow evening."
A long pause filled the room.
Every eye stayed fixed on her.
Then Inaya nodded once.
Her voice came out cold and steady.
"I'm ready for this marriage."
The words fell like a stone in water.
For a second, nobody moved.
Then suddenly—Relief spread across the table.
Her mother let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
Her aunt smiled widely.
"That's wonderful news," mom said.
"Yes, finally everything is settled."
"Allah ka shukar."
But not everyone was convinced.
Her grandfather narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something about her tone was wrong.
Too calm.
Too controlled.
Her father watched her carefully as well.
He knew his daughter.
This silence meant something.
Across the table, Saad frowned deeply.
He leaned toward Hamid and whispered under his breath.
"This isn't right."
Hamid clenched his jaw.
"She's sacrificing herself," he muttered. "For the family… for that stupid promise."
Saad's hands curled into fists.
"We can't let her do this."
Meanwhile, Haya sat quietly beside her husband.
Her eyes were fixed on Inaya.
There was pain in them.
Guilt.
Regret.
She quickly looked down when Inaya's gaze briefly brushed past her.
Their mother suddenly spoke.
"Inaya beta," she asked softly, "why did you come home so late last night?"
The question lingered in the air.
Inaya calmly took a bite of toast before answering.
"I was stuck in an important meeting."
Her tone remained perfectly neutral.
No explanation.
No emotion.
Just facts.
Her mother nodded slowly, though something about the answer felt incomplete.
A few minutes later, Inaya pushed her chair back.
"I have to leave for the office."
She picked up her bag and phone.
Her grandfather watched her carefully as she walked toward the door.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Just before stepping out, hamid called her.
"Inaya."
She stopped but didn't turn around.
Saad's voice softened.
"You don't have to do this."
For a brief second—
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.
But when she turned, her expression was once again perfectly composed.
"It's already decided."
Then she walked out.
Behind her calm exterior, however—
A storm was coming.
zeeshan khan pov
The morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Khan mansion, casting soft golden light across the elegant living room.
Zeeshan sat on the sofa with a file open in front of him, but his eyes weren't really reading the pages.
His mind had been restless since last night.
Across the room, his mother's phone suddenly rang.
He didn't pay attention at first—until he heard a familiar name.
"hello."
His head snapped up instantly.
inaya mother, why she call this early. he thought
"Assalamualaikum, bhabhi." mrs khan said
On the other side of the call was Inaya's mother.
Zeeshan tried to act normal, but his ears were now completely focused on the conversation.
A few seconds passed.
Then suddenly—Mrs. Khan's eyes widened in surprise.
"Really?" she asked.
Zeeshan's heart started beating faster.
What really?
He leaned forward slightly, pretending to read the file but clearly listening.
On the other side, Inaya's mother spoke warmly.
"Yes, we spoke to Inaya this morning… and she agreed."
Mrs. Khan's lips slowly curved into a smile.
"Alhamdulillah."
The word echoed in Zeeshan's ears.
Agreed.
Agreed?
His fingers tightened around the file.
Mrs. Khan continued speaking.
"We were honestly worried she might refuse," Inaya's mother said softly. "But she said she is ready for the marriage."
For a moment—Zeeshan forgot how to breathe.
Ready…?
Inaya agreed?
His heart slammed hard against his chest.
His mother laughed happily.
"That is wonderful news! We were waiting for this day."
Zeeshan quickly looked down at the file to hide the sudden brightness in his eyes.
But inside—A storm of emotions exploded.
She said yes.
She agreed.
His Inaya.
The girl he had loved silently for years.
The girl who barely looked at him.
The girl who treated him like a stranger.
She was going to be his wife.
He tried to stay calm.
Tried to breathe normally.
But his thoughts were racing.
She finally accepted…
Does that mean she is ready to give us a chance?
Maybe… maybe she doesn't hate this marriage as much as I thought.
His mother continued the call.
"Yes, tomorrow evening for the engagement sounds perfect."
Tomorrow.
Zeeshan almost smiled.
Everything felt unreal.
When the call ended, Mrs. Khan placed her phone on the table and looked at her son.
She didn't need to say anything.
Zeeshan already knew.
But she still spoke with excitement in her voice.
"Inaya agreed."
He slowly looked up.
"Really?" he asked, trying to sound calm.
But his voice betrayed him slightly.
Mrs. Khan chuckled.
"Yes. Her family spoke to her this morning. She said she is ready."
Zeeshan looked away for a moment.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
He quickly hid it.
But inside—He felt like the world had suddenly become lighter.
For years, he had watched her from a distance.
Her quiet strength.
Her intelligence.
Her sharp tongue.
Her cold attitude toward him.
Yet he still fell for her.
Hard.
He remembered the first time he realized it.
She was arguing with someone during a family gathering—completely fearless, completely confident.
Everyone else had been annoyed.
But he had been… fascinated.
Since that day, there was no turning back.
But he also knew something.
Inaya never liked this engagement idea.
She never looked happy whenever their families mentioned it.
Which made him wonder…
Why did she suddenly agree?
The thought briefly clouded his happiness.
Something about it felt strange.
But the excitement in his chest quickly pushed the doubt away.
Maybe she just needed time.
Maybe she finally accepted it.
Maybe… she will learn to love me.
His lips curved slightly at the thought.
Across the room, his mother spoke again.
"You should call her and ask her by yourself."
Zeeshan's smile faded immediately.
Call her?
His heart skipped nervously.
Inaya was… unpredictable.
Half the time she ignored him.
The other half she answered with cold, one-word replies.
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I'll… talk to her later."
Mrs. Khan shook her head with amusement.
"You are going to marry her and you're still scared of her."
Zeeshan sighed dramatically.
"You don't understand, Ammi."
His mother raised an eyebrow.
"Understand what?"
He muttered under his breath.
"That this girl is dangerous."
Mrs. Khan laughed loudly.
But Zeeshan leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
A soft smile appeared again.
Tomorrow…I will see her tomorrow.
For a moment, his chest filled with warmth.
But deep down—A tiny voice whispered.
Something isn't right.
Inaya never agrees this easily.
And somewhere across the city…
The girl he loved was driving to work with a heart colder than ice.
Unaware—That he was already dreaming of a future with her.