Episode 2: The Warning

Episode 2:

The soft knock at the door pulled Ariya from her tangled thoughts.

“Miss West,” the butler said, voice calm and respectful, “Mr. Zayyan Mirza requests your presence in the east lounge.”

Ariya’s breath hitched. She had heard the name before — the cold, proud first male lead who married Meera, the original female lead. And from everything she knew, Zayyan was not someone to be taken lightly.

Gathering her courage, she nodded and followed the butler through the long, silent corridors of the mansion.

As they neared the east lounge, the muffled sound of a man’s voice reached her ears—firm, serious.

The butler paused and opened the heavy wooden door.

Inside, Zayyan Mirza stood with his back to the window, arms crossed, staring out at the sprawling city beyond.

He turned slowly when he noticed her.

His dark eyes were cold and unreadable, but beneath the surface was a fierce intensity that made Ariya’s heart skip.

“Seraphina,” he greeted, voice steady but without warmth.

Ariya swallowed hard. She was still getting used to this strange new body, and the arrogance and cruelty of the villainess weighed heavily on her.

But there was no turning back.

“I came as soon as I was summoned,” she said carefully.

Zayyan’s gaze sharpened. “I’m not here to welcome you.”

He took a step closer, lowering his voice. “I came to warn you.”

Ariya blinked, confusion mixing with fear.

“Warn me?” she repeated.

“Yes,” Zayyan said. “You’ve been interfering with Meera Khan.”

Ariya’s chest tightened. The original female lead—the sweet, untouchable girl she secretly despised.

“Seraphina, you’ve been trying to get close to me,” Zayyan continued, “offering yourself, seeking my approval and attention. But you forget your place. I will never accept you.”

Ariya’s fingers curled into fists. The villainess’ feelings were complicated, but this was the first time Zayyan had spoken so clearly.

“I don’t want your approval,” she said quietly. “I want to protect what’s mine.”

Zayyan’s eyes narrowed. “Protect? Or destroy?”

She hesitated. The villainess was known for cruelty, for hurting the innocent.

But Ariya was not Seraphina. She had entered this body with a mission — to save Rayan, the second lead who died without love.

Still, the danger of this world was real. And Zayyan was a man who would stop at nothing.

“Listen carefully,” Zayyan warned. “If you continue to cross the line, if you harm Meera or anyone else, I will not hesitate to stop you. And trust me — I am not easy to stop.”

Ariya looked up, determination shining in her eyes.

“I’m not here to fight you,” she said. “But I won’t stand by while innocent people get hurt.”

Zayyan studied her for a moment, then finally nodded.

“Very well. But remember, Seraphina — your actions have consequences. For you, and for everyone around you.”

With that, he turned and walked toward the window again.

The room fell silent except for the soft hum of the city outside.

Ariya exhaled slowly.

This world was dangerous. The path ahead would be harder than she ever imagined.

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