The door creaked open, the atmosphere in the living room stiffening instantly as unfamiliar footsteps echoed on the marble floor. A stranger stepped in, his expression smug and self-satisfied, flanked by a few sharp-looking men dressed in dark clothes. They looked like they belonged to no good—danger etched into their eyes. And behind them, almost hiding in their shadows, stood Kavya. Her face was pale, her steps hesitant.

“So the whole family is here... “That’s good,” the stranger said, his voice smooth but tinged with menace, scanning the room like a wolf sizing up his prey.