The corridor felt colder than before.
Meher walked between the two guards, her steps steady, her face calm.
Inside her pocket—
The USB.
Their biggest weapon.
Outside the building—
Aarav saw the guards moving.
And Meher with them.
His heart dropped instantly.
"Damn it…" he muttered, already moving toward the entrance.
Inside—
They led Meher into a small, closed room.
No windows.
Just a table.
Two chairs.
A pause.
Then the door opened again.
The same man from the café walked in.
Calm. Controlled.
Dangerous.
"I warned you," he said.
Meher didn't sit.
"I don't follow threats," she replied.
He smiled slightly.
"And that's exactly why you're here."
He placed a file on the table.
"Unauthorized system access," he said.
"Data breach. Violation of contract."
His eyes met hers.
"You've crossed the line."
Meher finally spoke—
"No," she said quietly.
"You did."
Silence.
Outside—
Aarav reached the reception.
"Where is she?" he demanded.
The staff hesitated.
"I need to see Meher. Right now."
Before they could stop him—
He walked past.
Inside the room—
The man leaned forward slightly.
"Do you even understand what you've done?"
"Yes," Meher replied.
Her voice calm.
Clear.
"I exposed you."
That one sentence changed the air.
The man's expression hardened just a little.
"Do you have proof?" he asked.
Meher didn't answer.
But her silence said enough.
At that exact moment—
The door burst open.
Aarav.
Breathing heavy.
Eyes filled with anger.
"Step away from her," he said.
The man turned slowly.
Unbothered.
"You shouldn't be here," he said.
Aarav stepped closer.
"And you shouldn't be threatening her."
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Then the man sighed.
"Emotions," he said calmly.
"They always complicate things."
Aarav stood beside Meher now.
Not in front.
Not behind.
Beside.
"She's not alone," Aarav said.
The man looked at both of them.
Then—
He smiled again.
But this time…
It wasn't calm.
It was calculating.
"Good," he said.
"Because now… it won't just affect her."
A chill ran through the room.
"What does that mean?" Aarav asked sharply.
The man stepped closer.
"It means," he said quietly,
"you've both crossed the line."
Outside—
Rain started again.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
Inside—
The game had changed.
Again.
Because now—
This wasn't just about Meher's career.
It was about both of them.
And the cost…
Had just doubled.