Advait excused himself from the table, heading toward the washroom. The moment he stood up and walked away, Samaira leaned back in her seat, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the restaurant. But before she could fully relax, the door to their booth opened abruptly, and a figure stepped inside.

Aarav.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her shock, her face betraying no emotion. She hadn't expected to see him here, especially not so soon after everything that had happened. For a moment, she just stared at him, trying to keep her composure.

Aarav smirked, his eyes scanning her up and down with an unsettling familiarity. “I expected you to be in jail," she said coolly, the words coming out almost effortlessly.

Aarav ignored her remark completely, his gaze fixed on the man who had just been seated across from her. “So, I see you’re here with Advait,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “Did he force you to spend time with him like he forced you to marry him?”

Samaira’s expression hardened slightly, but she didn’t let his words get under her skin. “That’s none of your business,” she said, her voice steady. “My personal life is for me to decide. People like you have no say in it.”

Aarav's eyes narrowed as he leaned closer. “How can you sit here, so casually, enjoying the company of the same man who humiliated you? The one who left you at the altar, shattered and alone? Doesn’t that bother you? Doesn’t it make you angry?” His words were calculated, meant to fracture her facade, to make her doubt herself.

But Samaira didn’t flinch. Instead, a sardonic smile spread across her face. “Those words don’t really suit someone like you, Aarav,” she said with a cold edge in her voice. “The person who used me as a pawn in his little game. You think your words are going to have an effect on me?”

Aarav faltered for a second, his expression faltering just enough to show the crack in his confidence. But he quickly recovered. “I was so focused on revenge that I didn’t even realize how I really felt about you,” he said, his tone shifting as if he was confessing something profound. “But now that I’ve lost you, I know the truth. If you say yes, we could both take revenge on him. Together. After all, I know you hate him just as much as I do. He’s not just who he seems. He is...”

Before he could finish his sentence, Samaira cut him off, her voice sharp and unyielding. “I know exactly why you’re out of jail, Aarav,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “It’s because of your father’s political connections. That’s the only reason you haven’t made headlines for kidnapping me. But if you don’t leave now, I’ll have no hesitation in calling the reporters and giving them the breaking news they’ve been waiting for.”

Aarav’s face drained of color at her words. He opened his mouth to say something, but Samaira didn’t give him the chance. She stared at him, unwavering, her confidence radiating.

At that moment, Advait reappeared, walking back toward the table with calm, measured steps. He stopped when he saw Aarav, his eyes narrowing with subtle displeasure. “What’s going on here?” he asked, his voice low, though the authority in it was unmistakable.

Samaira didn’t hesitate for a second. “He was just about to leave,” she said smoothly, her eyes flicking over to Aarav before she returned her gaze to Advait. “But if he wants to stay, I could always call the media and let them know about the little scandal that’s about to unfold.”

Aarav’s gaze flickered between them, and with a scowl, he didn’t say another word. Without meeting Samaira’s eyes, he turned on his heel and walked out of the restaurant, his departure as swift as his intrusion had been.

Advait stood still for a moment, watching Aarav leave, before turning back to Samaira. “You handled that very well,” he said, his voice filled with quiet approval.

Samaira gave a small, almost imperceptible smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She hadn't expected to run into Aarav here, and she certainly hadn’t expected him to try to push her buttons, but she had kept her calm. "Thanks," she said lightly. “Just needed to remind him where he stands.”

Advait sat back down across from her, his expression softening slightly. “It’s not easy dealing with people like him. But you did it.”

She shrugged, as if it was nothing, but inside, she felt a small sense of pride. Turning her attention to the menu in front of her, she asked, “So, what would you like for dessert?”

Advait leaned back in his seat, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “Something good,” he replied with a smirk. “I’m sure whatever you choose will be perfect.”

Samaira laughed lightly, the tension from the earlier encounter dissipating. “I’ll make sure to pick something you’ll like,” she said, before her fingers brushed against the menu, selecting the dessert she thought would be just right.

As the waiter came to take their order, Samaira felt a weight lift from her chest. She could now enjoy the rest of the evening, knowing she had handled an unexpected encounter with a certain amount of grace. And maybe, just maybe, this evening would end on a better note than she had anticipated.