Chapter 27: Chapter 26: Mission & Confrontation

Sia's POV

Sia sat quietly in the dimly lit room, her mind wandering to the Rathor mansion. The memories flooded her, bringing a bittersweet smile to her face. She could almost hear her grandparents' laughter as they teased her about her cooking skills. Her father-in-law's gentle voice resonated in her mind, always encouraging her and treating her like a daughter.

The warmth of her mother-in-law, Devika, and her aunt in the kitchen came to life in her memories—the way they shared recipes and laughter, the soft sound of utensils clinking, and the aroma of spices that made the kitchen feel like home. She recalled Aarav and Ishika's playful arguments, the way they always made her feel like an integral part of the family.

Then came the thoughts of her beloved pets, Candy and Snowy. The joy they brought to her life was unparalleled, their wagging tails and innocent eyes a source of pure comfort. And finally, Arjun. Her heart ached at the thought of him. His protective nature, the way he looked at her with a mix of affection and possessiveness, his rare but heartwarming smile—they were all etched into her soul.

A tear slipped down her cheek, but before she could wipe it away, her attention was caught by the faint sound of Riya's voice. She strained to listen, her heartbeat quickening.

"You'll get your payment once the deal is done," Riya said sharply. "She'll be gone tonight, SOLD to those cheap men and then I'll finally be free of her shadow."

Sia froze, the words sending a chill down her spine. Her sister was talking about her—selling her. A wave of fear and disgust washed over her. How could Riya stoop so low? The room suddenly felt suffocating, and her mind raced with thoughts of escape.

Mayank's POV

Mayank sat in his office, anxiously scrolling through the updates his men had sent him. The moment he saw the report, his blood ran cold. Riya's plan wasn't just to humiliate Sia—it was far darker. She had arranged to sell her sister.

He wasted no time. Grabbing his phone, he called Aarav, his voice urgent. "I've got news. Riya's plan is worse than we imagined. She's planning to sell Sia tonight."

There was a pause on the other end, followed by Aarav's sharp intake of breath. "What?"

"I'm serious," Mayank said. "I have people who overheard her. We need to act fast, or we'll lose her."

Arjun's POV

Arjun clenched his fists as Mayank relayed the information. His jaw tightened, his breathing heavy with restrained fury. He turned to Aarav, his voice low and dangerous. "Now, Riya's crossed every limit. This isn't just a game anymore—it's war."

He took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check but failing. "She dared to lay a hand on what's mine—my family, my wife, my Sia." His voice rose with each word, filled with raw determination.

Arjun's dark eyes locked onto Mayank, his gaze intense. "And you," he said coldly, "if I find out that this is some twisted trap of yours, you won't just have to deal with my anger—you'll wish you'd never crossed paths with me."

Mayank held his ground, though visibly nervous. "I'm here to make things right. Sia doesn't deserve this, and neither do you. We can't let Riya win."

Arjun turned away, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. His mind was made up. "This ends now," he said, his voice like steel. "Riya, just wait. You're about to face the wrath of Arjun Rathor. I'll bring her back, and when I do, I promise—never again will anyone, anyone," he said, casting a cold glance at Mayank, "come between us."

Aarav stepped forward, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. "We'll bring her back, Arjun bhai. Together."

Arjun nodded, his resolve firm. "Let's finish this."

The Rescue Plan

The tension in the office was palpable as Arjun, Aarav, Abhishek, and Mayank sat around the table, sketching out their plan to rescue Sia.

Mayank leaned forward, tapping a map of the location his sources had identified. "Riya's holding her in a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city. My men have confirmed that it's heavily guarded. We can't just storm in without a strategy. She's clearly prepared for a confrontation."

Arjun's jaw clenched. "I don't care how heavily guarded it is. Sia is in there, and I'll tear the place down if I have to."

"Calm down, Arjun," Aarav said, his voice steady but firm. "We can't risk Sia's safety by acting recklessly. Riya's psychotic, yes, but she's also sharp. We need precision, not brute force."

Abhishek, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "We'll need two teams—one to create a distraction and the other to extract Sia. If Riya senses we're close, she might do something drastic."

Aarav nodded. "Exactly. Mayank, you mentioned your men are keeping an eye on the warehouse. Are they capable of neutralizing Riya's guards?"

Mayank hesitated for a moment, glancing at Arjun's icy glare before replying. "Yes. They're experienced, but they'll need support. Riya might have planned for an ambush, so we need to cover all exits."

Arjun leaned forward, his voice low and menacing. "Riya's games end tonight. I'll lead the extraction team. Mayank, you'll handle the distraction—make enough noise to keep her men occupied. Aarav and Abhishek will back me up and ensure Sia's safety."

Abhishek nodded. "Agreed. But we need to be smart about this. Let's use the element of surprise. Riya's arrogance will be her downfall—she won't expect us to come at her full force."

The Strategy Takes Shape

They spread out blueprints of the warehouse, marking key entry points and potential weak spots. Aarav outlined the plan.

"We'll approach from the south entrance. That's where the guards are fewest, according to Mayank's intel. Once we're in, we'll split up—Abhishek and I will secure the perimeter while Arjun goes for Sia. Mayank's team will create chaos on the north side, drawing most of the guards away."

Mayank nodded, his expression serious. "I'll handle it. My men will keep Riya distracted long enough for you to get in and out."

Arjun's voice cut through the room like a blade. "I want constant updates. If anything goes wrong, you pull back immediately. Sia's safety comes first."

Final Preparations

As they finalized their plan, the tension in the room grew heavier. Abhishek placed a reassuring hand on Arjun's shoulder. "We'll get her back, Arjun. She's family, and we don't leave our own behind."

Arjun gave a terse nod, his emotions barely contained. "Thank you, Abhishek. But this isn't just about family. This is personal. Sia is my everything, and I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back."

Aarav stepped in, his calm demeanor grounding the group. "Let's move out. We don't have time to waste. Every second counts." And in a very wicked way he eys towards his brother and Mayank, adn says, "If any of you hurt my Sia, The very Next Moment I'll run away with my Sia."

To which Arjun grons, "Aarav Rathor, mind your words. She's your bhabhi."

Mayank hesitated briefly before speaking. "Before we go, I want to say something." He looked at Arjun, guilt evident in his eyes. "I know I've made mistakes, but tonight, I'll prove that I'm on your side. For Sia's sake."

Arjun's eyes narrowed but he didn't reply. Instead, he turned away, his focus solely on the mission ahead.

The Drive to the Warehouse

The car ride was tense, the silence broken only by the hum of the engine. Arjun stared out the window, his fists clenched, his mind racing with images of Sia—her laughter, her smile, her tears.

Aarav glanced at him. "We'll get her back," he said quietly.

Arjun didn't look away from the window. "We have to. Failure isn't an option."

In the car behind them, Abhishek and Mayank exchanged a glance. "He's holding himself together, but he's on edge," Abhishek said.

Mayank nodded. "He loves her more than he lets on. And I've never seen him this... vulnerable."

At the Warehouse

As they arrived near the warehouse, the group parked their cars a safe distance away. Aarav pulled out a set of earpieces, handing them to everyone. "Stay in constant communication. Mayank, you're up first. Let's make this count."

Mayank nodded, signaling to his men. Within minutes, explosions of sound and flashes of light erupted on the north side of the warehouse. Guards scrambled to respond, leaving the south entrance relatively unguarded.

"Let's move," Aarav commanded, leading the group toward the south entrance.

With every step, Arjun's heart pounded harder. He could feel Sia's presence, her fear, her strength. And he swore to himself: tonight, he would bring her home.

Riya's Reaction

Inside the dimly lit warehouse, Riya paced back and forth, her heels clicking sharply against the concrete floor. Her phone buzzed, and one of her men hurried to inform her.

"There's movement on the north side, ma'am. It looks like a distraction."

Riya narrowed her eyes, her lips curling into a scowl. "Distraction?" she muttered. "Do they think I'm that stupid?" She motioned for two of her men to follow her.

As she approached a monitor showing live CCTV footage, her expression darkened further. The screen revealed a familiar figure leading the commotion—Mayank. He stood amidst the chaos with his men, orchestrating the distraction.

"Mayank?" Riya hissed, her voice laced with disbelief and venom. She gripped the edge of the monitor so tightly that her knuckles turned white. "That traitorous snake. He dared to turn against me?"

Her mind raced, trying to piece together how and why Mayank had betrayed her. Rage bubbled beneath her composed exterior, and her manic energy filled the room.

"Get me on the phone with the guards on the north side. Now!" she barked, her tone sharp enough to make her men flinch.

One of her guards handed her a radio. "The distraction is just that—a distraction," she snapped. "Leave a few men to handle it and move the rest back here. Reinforce all exits, and no one leaves this warehouse without my say."

Face-to-Face with Mayank

Moments later, Riya stormed toward the north side of the warehouse with a small group of loyal guards. Her presence was intimidating, her eyes blazing with fury. As she emerged from the shadows, her gaze locked on Mayank, who was directing his men from behind a stack of crates.

"Well, well," she sneered, her voice dripping with mockery. "Look who decided to grow a spine."

Mayank turned, his face betraying a mixture of guilt and determination. "It's over, Riya. You won't win this."

Riya laughed, the sound cold and unsettling. "Win? You think this is a game, Mayank? This is my life—my revenge. You of all people should understand that."

"I did," Mayank admitted, his voice firm despite the tension. "I wanted to hurt Arjun, to ruin what he has with Sia. But I see now that you've crossed a line, Riya. This isn't revenge—it's insanity."

Her smile vanished, replaced by a murderous glare. "You think you can lecture me? You're nothing but a pawn, Mayank. And pawns that betray me don't survive long."

She signaled her guards, who raised their weapons toward Mayank and his men.

Mayank Holds His Ground

Despite the danger, Mayank's fury burned bright. He stood tall, his voice echoing with unyielding authority. "Do you even realize who you're talking to, Riya?" His eyes blazed as he stepped closer, towering over her. "I am Mayank Ahuja. The feared CEO who built an empire from nothing. I have crushed rivals far more cunning than you. You think you can outwit me? Think again."

Riya's smug expression faltered for a split second, but she quickly tried to regain her composure.

Mayank continued, his tone sharper, deadlier. "I never wanted to hurt her—my Sia. Yes, I made mistakes, but I loved her, truly. I thought separating her from Arjun would bring her closer to me, but now I see how wrong I was. I see what love is, and it's something you'll never understand."

His voice dropped to a menacing whisper, each word like a dagger. "You have invited hell to your doorstep, Ms. Riya Mehta. You've angered not one, but four of the strongest walls shielding Sia."

He raised a finger, counting them off. "Me—Mayank Ahuja, a man who won't rest until she's safe. Aarav Rathor—a brother who is ready to tear the heavens apart for his sister-in-law. Abhishek Arora—a brother who will burn down kingdoms to save his sister. And let me remind you of the strongest one, Arjun Rathor."

At the mention of Arjun, Mayank's voice turned cold, like the calm before a deadly storm. "He has realized the depth of his love for Sia. And trust me when I say this—he would bring the whole world to its knees for her. He loves her more than I ever could."

Riya's defiance began to waver under the weight of Mayank's words. Her fingers clenched into fists, but she couldn't mask the flicker of fear in her eyes.

Mayank's voice rose again, his anger boiling over. "This ends tonight, Riya. You've made your move, and now you'll face the consequences. The four of us—together—will end your games and make sure you never hurt Sia or anyone else again."

Their standoff was interrupted by the distant sound of commotion from the south side of the warehouse. Riya's guards exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the tide turning against them.

Realizing too late that the distraction had worked, Riya's face twisted into a mask of rage and desperation. "Double the security near the hostage!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "They won't take Sia from me!"

Mayank smirked darkly, his confidence unshaken. "You can try, Riya. But tonight, you've met your match. And trust me—hell's just getting started."