Chapter 4

     ** Shivani Singh’s Perspective** 

The room was silent except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan. Shivani sat at the edge of her bed, her gaze fixed on the bandage wrapped around her arm. The pain was dull, but the frustration burned brighter. She flexed her fingers, testing the limits of the injury, her jaw clenched tight. 

It had been years since anyone managed to harm her. In her world, being invincible was the only way to survive. Yet tonight, a stranger—a soldier—had not only matched her but left her wounded. 

Shivani’s thoughts drifted back to her past, her earliest memories clouded by bitterness and neglect. 

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Shivani had grown up in an orphanage, where kindness was a rarity and survival a daily battle. The sweet child she once was had been met with endless bullying and mistreatment. Adults overlooked her, and other children targeted her for her quiet demeanor and unassuming beauty. 

High school was no different. As she blossomed into a brilliant and striking young woman, she became the object of envy. One girl, in particular, harbored a venomous hatred for her. Shivani had caught the attention of a boy her classmate liked—a harmless kindness that became the catalyst for Shivani's first real fight. 

The attack was brutal. Shivani had been cornered by her jealous classmate and her friends, their intent clear as they lunged at her, aiming to destroy her face with scissors and nails. 

But that day, Shivani fought back. For the first time, she used her mind and body not to endure, but to resist. The transformation was immediate and visceral. She defended herself with a ferocity that shocked her attackers, leaving them retreating in humiliation. 

It was a turning point. Shivani realized then that the world didn’t reward the meek. Dreams of a happy, peaceful life shattered like glass, replaced by a vow to become stronger than anyone who might harm her. 

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Years later, Shivani had built her empire brick by brick, clawing her way to the top of the underworld. Her organization, *The Black Crescent*, was a force to be reckoned with—feared by enemies and revered by allies. But even as a mafia queen, she clung to a fragment of her humanity. 

Shivani had her own rules, one of which was absolute: *Never harm or exploit the innocent.* While others in the underworld viewed civilians as expendable, Shivani saw them as a line she refused to cross. 

That was why The Spider’s betrayal enraged her. Planning a terrorist attack that endangered countless innocent lives wasn’t just a betrayal of her trust—it was an affront to her principles. She didn’t hesitate to kill him, ensuring he would never threaten another innocent soul again. 

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But now, there was a new complication: the man who had fought her. She couldn’t stop replaying their battle in her mind. Every move, every strike—he had matched her step for step, something no one had done in years. 

Returning to her headquarters, Shivani summoned her inner circle to the command room. 

“Find him,” she ordered, her voice like steel. “I want every detail about who he is, what he does, and why he was there.” 

Her team nodded and dispersed to begin their search. Meanwhile, Shivani retired to her quarters. She stood under the shower, the scalding water washing away the blood and grime of the night, but not the thoughts that plagued her. 

*Who is he?* she wondered, her mind circling back to his black eyes—so cold, so calculating, yet so resolute. 

After tending to her wounds, Shivani donned a fresh outfit and headed to the main room, where her team awaited her. The large screen displayed an image of the man, and Shivani’s piercing blue eyes narrowed as she stepped closer. 

The technician cleared his throat. “We’ve identified him, ma’am. His name is Abhiraj Malhotra. Age: 27. Officially, he’s listed as a corporate worker. To his family, he’s an ordinary man working in an office.” 

Shivani raised an eyebrow, silently urging him to continue. 

“But in reality, he’s the leader of the country’s most elite army squad,” the technician added, a note of awe in his voice. “Under his command, his team has executed numerous high-risk missions successfully. He’s known for his unmatched combat skills and strategic brilliance.” 

Another team member chimed in, “There’s even a story about him infiltrating an enemy base camp alone. He killed their leader and destroyed the entire camp without backup.” 

Shivani’s lips curled into a small, humorless smile. *So, he’s no ordinary man after all.* 

Her gaze lingered on his image. His sharp features and intense eyes exuded a quiet power, a reflection of the formidable opponent she had faced. For a fleeting moment, a flicker of admiration passed through her. 

But just as quickly, it was replaced by a fiery determination. 

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“I want constant updates on him,” Shivani commanded, turning away from the screen. “If he’s as skilled as you say, he’ll be a problem. And I don’t tolerate problems.” 

Her team nodded, and as they began compiling more information, Shivani retreated to her private office. She leaned against her desk, deep in thought. 

*Abhiraj Malhotra,* she mused, the name rolling through her mind like a challenge. He was strong—stronger than anyone she had faced before. But she wasn’t one to back down. 

At the same time, miles away in his own base, Abhiraj sat in his command room, staring at the same image—Shivani Singh’s piercing blue eyes meeting his through the screen. 

Neither spoke, but in the silent rooms of their respective headquarters, a mutual resolve crystallized: *The game was on.* 

Each was determined to outwit, outfight, and ultimately defeat the other. Yet neither could foresee how fate would twist their paths, turning them from enemies seeking to destroy each other into two people willing to sacrifice everything for one another. 

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