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Royale Crown Academy—Hallway

Ishaani felt the shift in the air the moment Ruhan’s voice reached them.

Dev’s entire body had gone rigid.

His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw ticking dangerously.

And his eyes—cold, ruthless, unreadable—were locked onto Ruhan Kapoor like a predator stalking its prey.

Ishaani’s pulse spiked.

There was history here.

A deep, unspoken rivalry simmering beneath the surface.

She had sensed it before—the way Dev’s expression had darkened when Ruhan called him that night.

But now, she could see it.

And feel it.

Like a war brewing between two kings.

Ruhan, in contrast, looked completely at ease.

A lazy smirk played on his lips as he approached, his sharp brown eyes flickering between Ishaani and Dev.

"Interesting."

Ishaani swallowed.

Dev said nothing.

Not a word.

But his silence wasn’t empty.

It was loud.

Dangerous.

And when Ruhan finally stopped in front of them, tilting his head, the tension between them became palpable.

"You’re glaring at me like I just stole your dad’s business empire," Ruhan remarked casually, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Relax, Dev. I just wanted to say hello to Ishaani. Bro, you just took her away; I wanted to make sure she was fine."

Dev’s jaw tightened. "You actually don’t need to."

Ruhan arched a brow. "Please, Dev, she’s a big girl. She can decide who she talks to."

Ishaani cleared her throat, sensing this was spiraling fast. "Uh—hey, Ruhan. We haven’t really catched up properly. I know, but right now, I am totally fine…"

His smirk widened. "I know we have since I had come back; we haven’t. But I’ve heard a lot of new rumors about you."

Dev’s fingers twitched.

Ishaani, unaware of the silent storm raging within him, frowned slightly. "From who?"

"Does it matter?" Ruhan shrugged. "Point is, I was curious."

Ishaani blinked. "Curious about what Ruhan?"

Ruhan tilted his head slightly, his gaze flickering toward Dev before settling back on her.

"About what kind of miracle girl could make Dev Oberoi lose his mind?"

Silence.

Absolute, suffocating silence.

Ishaani froze.

Dev’s breath hitched.

And then—

"Run."

That was the only thought Ruhan should have had in that moment.

Because Dev moved.

Fast.

Too fast.

One second, he was standing beside Ishaani.