Naina walked out of the hospital, exhaustion pressing down on her shoulders like a weight she couldn’t shake. The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth, a reminder of the brief drizzle earlier. She pulled her shawl closer around her frame, rubbing her arms to fight the slight chill. Her mind, however, wasn’t focused on the cold—it was on Veer Malhotra.
That man was a force. His presence alone was enough to make her feel caged, as if his dark eyes could strip away every layer of her composure. The intensity with which he had watched her, the way he spoke as if he commanded the world—she had met controlling men before, but Veer was something else entirely.
As she walked toward the bus stop, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Glancing at the screen, she saw a message from her younger brother, Aarush.

Aarush: Di, reached home?

Naina: On my way, don’t sleep too late.

Aarush: Haha, says the one working 18-hour shifts!

She smiled, shaking her head before slipping the phone back into her pocket. She loved her family fiercely, and it was thoughts of them that usually comforted her after a long day. But tonight, Veer Malhotra occupied too much space in her mind.

Veer’s Penthouse – Midnight

Veer Malhotra stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse, a crystal tumbler filled with whiskey dangling from his fingers. The city stretched before him, glowing lights dotting the darkness, but his thoughts were rooted in something much closer—Dr. Naina Sharma.

There was something about her, something unsettling. She wasn’t afraid of him. Unlike most people, she didn’t flinch under his gaze, nor did she cower before his reputation. She had met his stare, unyielding, her voice steady even when he made it clear he expected perfection.
A slow smirk tugged at his lips. He liked people who had fire in them. But fire could be dangerous if uncontrolled.

His phone rang, breaking his thoughts. He picked it up, already knowing who it was.
“You found anything?” he asked, his voice sharp.

On the other end, Aditya Khanna 'Adi', his best friend and right-hand man, exhaled. “Yeah. The hospital’s clean, but someone’s been sniffing around your mother’s medical records. It’s not just about her health, Veer. Someone wants information on her... and you.”
Veer’s grip on the glass tightened, a slow burn of anger curling in his chest. “Who?”
“We’re still tracking it. But if they went through medical records, it means they want to know her vulnerabilities.”
His mother was his only weakness. And weaknesses were dangerous.
“I want a name,” Veer said coldly. “By tomorrow.”
Adi sighed. “You know, it’s okay to accept help sometimes, Veer. You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
Veer let out a low chuckle, void of humor. “Help makes you weak. Trust makes you blind. You should know that by now.”
Adi didn’t argue. He knew better. “Fine. I’ll update you soon. And Veer?”
“Hm?”
“Keep an eye on the doctor. If someone’s watching your mother, they’ll eventually notice her too.”
A muscle in Veer’s jaw ticked. He didn’t need anyone to tell him that. He already knew.
---

**Next Morning – Hospital**

Naina entered the hospital, still feeling the weight of the previous night’s encounter with Veer. She wasn’t sure why he got under her skin the way he did, but she needed to focus on her job.
As she checked Mrs. Malhotra’s reports, she felt a presence before she saw him. Looking up, her breath hitched slightly. Veer stood in the doorway, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his expression unreadable.
“Mr. Malhotra,” she greeted, keeping her tone neutral.
“How is she?”
“Stable. But she needs time to recover.”
He nodded, stepping closer. “And you? Did you reach home safely?”
Naina blinked. Was he actually asking about her well-being? “Yes, I did. Thank you.”
There was an odd silence before he finally spoke again. “Good.” Then, after a pause, “If you need anything to make her treatment easier, tell me.”
His words were straightforward, but there was something else beneath them—something that almost felt like concern. Before she could analyze it, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Naina staring after him.
For a man who claimed control over everything, she had a feeling he wasn’t prepared for whatever this was between them.
And neither was she.
---

Veer’s POV – That Night
Lying in bed, Veer stared at the ceiling, his mind restless. The doctor was getting under his skin, and he didn’t like it. He thrived on control, yet she made him feel... unsettled.
He had spent years ensuring no one could get close to him. Then why was he thinking about a woman who should be nothing more than his mother’s doctor?
His phone vibrated. A message from Adi.
Adi: Got the name. We need to talk.
His grip on the phone tightened. The shadows of his past were creeping closer, and if Naina Sharma wasn’t careful, she’d get caught in the storm.
And Veer didn’t know if he’d be able to stop it.
---

Naina’s POV – That Night

As Naina curled up in bed, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Veer Malhotra was not just a businessman. There was more to him, something lurking beneath the surface.
She should stay away.
But a tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered something more dangerous.
What if you don’t want to?

Thank you for reading...!

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