Kiara's POV
The police officer satacross from Kiara at the dining table, flipping through his notebook.
Mahati stood near the window, pretending to check her phone but really watching every movement.
"Miss Kiara," the officer said calmly, "when was the last time you left your house last night?"
Kiara didn't hesitate.
"I didn't."
Mahati's heart pounded.
The officer nodded slowly and scribbled something.
"We received information that a man was found dead near the river early this morning."
Kiara leaned back in her chair.
"And?"
The officer looked up.
"We're asking residents nearby if they noticed anything unusual."
Mahati could barely breathe.
Kiara remained perfectly calm.
"I was home," Kiara repeated.
The officer studied her for a moment longer.
Then his phone rang.
He excused himself and stepped outside.
Mahati immediately turned to Kiara.
"What are you doing?" she whispered urgently.
Kiara's voice was cold.
"Handling it."
Mahati stared at her.
"You killed him, Kiara."
"He attacked my sister."
"That doesn't make this disappear!"
Kiara didn't respond.
A few seconds later the officer returned.
But something about his expression had changed.
Confusion.
He flipped through his notebook again.
Then he frowned.
"That's strange."
Kiara raised an eyebrow.
"What is?"
The officer checked his phone again.
"It appears the report was incorrect."
Mahati blinked.
"What?"
The officer looked slightly embarrassed.
"There's no homicide report anymore."
Mahati felt the room tilt.
"What do you mean no report?"
The officer shrugged.
"It must have been a mistake in the system."
Mahati stared at him in disbelief.
"But you just said—"
"Yes," the officer interrupted, slightly irritated.
"But the record doesn't exist now."
He closed his notebook.
"My apologies for disturbing you."
Kiara nodded politely.
"No problem."
A minute later the officer left.
The door closed.
Silence filled the apartment.
Mahati slowly turned toward Kiara.
"Okay," she said quietly.
"What the hell just happened?"
Kiara's phone buzzed on the table.
One message.
Unknown number.
Kiara opened it.
Check the police database.
Mahati grabbed her laptop immediately.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard.
She accessed the city police server.
Then the regional database.
Then the national record system.
Mahati froze.
"What?" Kiara asked.
Mahati looked up slowly.
"The body report is gone."
Kiara stayed silent.
Mahati checked again.
Every log.
Every archive.
Nothing.
"No file. No case. No evidence."
Mahati leaned back in shock.
"That's impossible."
Kiara already knew the answer.
Her phone rang.
Mahati's eyes widened.
Kiara answered.
"Vishwa."
His voice sounded calm.
"You're welcome."
Kiara's jaw tightened.
"You erased a murder investigation."
"Yes."
Mahati stared at her in disbelief.
Kiara's voice became colder.
"Why?"
There was a short pause.
"Because the police arresting you would ruin everything."
Kiara's eyes darkened.
"Everything?"
Vishwa replied quietly.
"The truth you're trying to find."
Mahati leaned closer to hear.
Kiara spoke again.
"You think this makes us even?"
"No."
"Then why help me?"
Silence.
Then Vishwa said something that made Kiara's pulse quicken.
"Because if you fall now…"
"you'll never learn why your father really died."
The line went dead.
Mahati stared at Kiara.
"What did he say?"
Kiara slowly lowered the phone.
Her mind was racing.
Because one thing had just become very clear.
Vishwa wasn't just watching her investigation.
He was controlling the board.
Later that night, Aarushi remembers something else about the boy with those familiar eyes.
Not just his name.
But the place where they used to meet as children.
And when Kiara hears it…
She realizes that place still exists.