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The dining hall remained silent long after the old woman's words faded into the air.
"Protect her this time."
No one dared to speak.
Anika looked from the old woman to Aditya, hoping one of them would explain.
Instead...
Aditya calmly picked up his coffee cup and took another sip.
His face remained unreadable.
As though nothing unusual had happened.
Anika couldn't understand him.
How could someone remain so calm after hearing such words?
The old woman slowly withdrew her trembling hand from Anika's cheek.
A faint smile appeared on her wrinkled face.
"You remind me of someone..."
she whispered.
Before Anika could ask who, a middle-aged woman seated across the table interrupted.
"Mother, you've mistaken her for someone else."
Her voice was polite.
Too polite.
The old woman looked at her sharply.
"No."
"I never mistake faces."
An uncomfortable silence followed.
The woman forced a smile before turning towards Anika.
"I'm Kavya Raichand."
"My husband's elder sister."
"Welcome to the family."
Although the words sounded welcoming...
Her eyes were anything but.
Anika politely smiled back.
"Thank you."
One by one, the remaining family members introduced themselves.
Some smiled.
Some simply nodded.
Others barely acknowledged her existence.
It didn't take Anika long to realise something.
This family wasn't close.
They were merely people living beneath the same roof.
Bound together by a famous surname.
Nothing more.
Breakfast ended quietly.
Chairs scraped against the marble floor as everyone stood.
Without saying a word...
Aditya left first.
His footsteps echoed through the hallway before disappearing completely.
Anika watched him leave.
"He barely speaks..."
she thought.
"And yet...
everyone seems afraid of him."
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A gentle voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Madam..."
She turned around.
It was Meera.
"If you're free, I can show you around the mansion."
Anika smiled.
"I'd like that."
The two women walked through endless hallways decorated with expensive paintings and antique sculptures.
Every corner of the mansion reflected generations of wealth.
Yet no family photographs decorated the walls.
No pictures of birthdays.
No wedding celebrations.
Nothing that made the mansion feel alive.
Only portraits.
And silence.
"This mansion is beautiful," Anika said softly.
"It is."
Meera hesitated.
"But..."
She stopped speaking.
"But what?"
The maid quickly shook her head.
"It's nothing, Madam."
Anika smiled knowingly.
"No."
"It isn't."
"You've wanted to say something since this morning."
Meera lowered her eyes.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her apron.
Finally...
she whispered,
"Please don't wander around alone after sunset."
Anika frowned.
"Why?"
Meera looked around the empty corridor before taking another step closer.
"There are places inside this mansion..."
"...where no one goes."
Before Anika could ask another question...
A loud sound echoed from upstairs.
CRASH!
It sounded like something heavy had fallen.
Both women froze.
Meera's face turned pale.
"Don't..."
she whispered.
"Don't go upstairs."
But curiosity had already taken hold of Anika.
Someone...
Or something...
Was on the third floor.
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To Be Continued...
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