Meera could almost hear the twins' brains whirring, trying to come up with an excuse, a lie to weave their way out of this. But she knew there was no escape for them now."Meera," Pranay said softly, turning to her. "Do you want to speak to them?"Her voice was clear and firm when she responded. "No," she said simply. "I don't need their lies anymore."

Pranay nodded, his jaw still tight with anger. He hung up the phone and tossed it onto the seat next to him. "They're not worth your time," he said. "We're going to get you somewhere safe, and then we'll figure out what to do next."

The drive from the airport was tense, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. Meera stared out the window, watching the city lights blur into streaks of color. Her mind raced, trying to understand how she had been so blind. The twins had always been so charming, so convincing, and she had been so eager to please them.

Pranay broke the silence first. "I'm sorry you had to go through this," he said, his voice filled with genuine regret. "I had my suspicions, but I never thought they'd go this far."

Meera nodded, her eyes still glued to the window. "They were so convincing," she murmured. "So sweet and loving. And all along, they were just...using me."

Pranay's jaw clenched. "They won't get away with it," he assured her. "I'll make sure of that."

Meera nodded, her eyes closing briefly. "Thank you," she murmured. "For everything."Pranay's hand squeezed her shoulder gently. "You don't have to thank me. You're not alone anymore."

Meera took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. It had been so long since she had felt truly cared for, truly seen. "I just want to rest," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm tired of being used by my parents, by the twins. I just want to live for myself."

Pranay's eyes softened as he heard her pain. "You will," he promised. "You're safe with me. I'll help you get away from all of this."

The car pulled up to a secluded mansion on the outskirts of London, surrounded by lush greenery and a towering iron gate. Meera felt a sense of relief wash over her as they drove through the gates, the world of the hotel and the twins feeling like a distant nightmare. The house was a sanctuary, a place where she could finally breathe.

Pranay led her inside, his hand never leaving the small of her back. The interior was elegant yet welcoming, with warm lighting and a faint scent of something familiar and comforting. She realized it was the smell of home—of her childhood home, before the twins had entered her life.

"You can stay here," he said, his voice gentle. "As long as you need to."

Meera looked up at Pranay, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "Far away from everyone?" she asked, hope clinging to her voice like a lifeline.

Pranay nodded. "Yes, far away," he said. "This is my place in London. No one will find you here."

Meera's eyes searched his, looking for any signs of deceit or hidden motives. But all she saw was a friend, a protector. "What if they track me down?" she asked, her voice small and scared.

Pranay's hand squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "They won't," he said firmly. "This place is secure. I'll make sure no one knows you're here."

The words settled in her chest like a warm blanket. The thought of being hidden away in Pranay's safe haven was oddly comforting. The twins had never been able to touch her when she was with him, and she had always felt a sense of security around him. But this was different—this was real.

"The King of Indian Mafia's house," Meera murmured, the reality of her situation sinking in. She had always known Pranay came from a powerful family, but she had never thought she would need such protection.

Pranay nodded, his expression serious. "You're safe here," he reiterated. "And we'll figure out what to do about the so called marriage. We'll get you the justice you deserve, but in my way."Meera looked at him, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and fear. "Why are you doing this for me?" she whispered, her eyes searching his. "What's in it for you?"

Pranay stopped, his hand lingering on her shoulder. He met her gaze, his own eyes filled with a fierce determination. "Because you deserve better than this, Meera," he said. "You're my friend. And nobody—not even your own family—should treat you like a pawn in their sick games."

Meera felt a lump form in her throat. She had known Pranay for years, but she had never seen this side of him. This protective, righteous anger that burned in his eyes. "I don't know what to say," she admitted.

Pranay's gaze softened, and he stepped closer, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek. "You don't have to say anything," he said, his thumb gently brushing away a stray tear. "Just know that I'm here for you."

Meera searched his eyes, the gravity of his words settling over her like a warm embrace. "But I feel like I'm more than just a friend to you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've always felt that way."

Pranay's expression grew more intense, his hand lingering on her cheek. "You're right," he said, his voice gruff. "You've always been more than that. But this isn't the time to talk about it. You need to rest, to heal."

Meera nodded, her heart racing with the revelation. She knew her feelings for Pranay had been there for a long time, buried under the weight of her duty and the expectations of her family. But now, with her world crumbling around her, she couldn't ignore them any longer.

"You're lucky to be an orphan," she whispered to herself. "You can live for yourself." It was a thought that had crossed Meera's mind before, but it had always been tinged with sadness. Now, it was a beacon of hope. Without the twins and their manipulation, she could finally live her life on her own terms.

Pranay who noticed her sadness and heard her whispers showed her the guest room, the soft lighting and plush bed beckoning to her exhausted body. "Rest," he said, his voice gentle. "We'll talk more in the morning." He turned to leave, his hand lingering on the doorknob.