The tension between Zayn and Ravi thickened with every passing second. Kay could feel the air between them crackling with unresolved emotions, anger, and confusion. She stood at the edge, caught between the two men, the weight of everything hanging heavy on her shoulders.

  Ravi’s eyes were seething, his face flushed with a mixture of betrayal and rage. He couldn't look at Kay without his heart aching—his protective instincts kicking in. She was his sister, his responsibility, and here she was, tangled up in something he could never have imagined. With Zayn. His best friend.

  "I can't believe this," Ravi muttered, pacing back and forth. He was trying to keep his voice steady, but it cracked with anger, his hands balled into fists. "You... You were supposed to be her protector, Zayn. You were supposed to keep her safe, not... this."

  Zayn didn’t flinch. His jaw tightened, but there was no going back now. He wasn’t sorry for what had happened, but he hated the way it had put him at odds with Ravi.

  "I'm not here to make excuses, Ravi," Zayn said, his voice firm, but there was a tinge of regret in it. "It’s not what you think, okay? I didn’t mean for this to happen... But it did. And I’m not going to apologize for how I feel about her."

  Ravi’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "You think that justifies everything? You think I’m going to let you stay here? After what you’ve done? To my sister?"

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  Kay stepped forward, her heart pounding. "Ravi, please. It’s not his fault. It’s—"

  Don’t!" Ravi snapped, turning to her. "Don’t try to defend him, Kay. You’re my sister! I’ve watched over you your whole life especially since dad died when you were 15, and you... you’re in this mess now. And it’s because of him."

  Zayn looked at her, his eyes softening for a moment, but he knew better than to interrupt. This was between the siblings, and no matter how much he hated it, he had no right to stand in the middle of it.

  But he wasn’t going to apologize for something he felt so deeply.

  Ravi turned to him then, his gaze sharp. "Pack your things, Zayn. You need to leave. You’re not welcome here anymore."

  The words hit Zayn harder than he expected. He’d been prepared for anger, for tension, but the finality in Ravi’s voice felt like a punch to the gut.He stood still for a moment, letting the words sink in, the weight of them pressing down on him. But then he nodded once, his expression hardened.

  "You want me gone? Fine," Zayn said quietly. "I’ll leave. But just know, I’m not leaving because you told me to. I’m leaving because I can’t be here anymore if you don’t trust me. If you think I’ll hurt her. I’m not that man."

  Ravi didn’t reply, his face grim as he turned away. Zayn’s chest tightened as he walked past him, grabbing his jacket from the chair. He glanced at Kay, whose eyes were wide with sadness and regret.

  "Zayn…" Kay’s voice wavered, but she didn’t know what to say. She felt like she was losing everything.

  He gave her a small, bittersweet smile. "I’ll be fine, Kay. Don’t worry about me."

  But as he left the room, he knew everything had changed. He had no idea what would happen between him and Kay now. But the last thing he wanted was to lose her completely, especially not after what they had shared.

  As he stepped out the door, he heard Ravi’s voice again, cold and harsh.

  "Don’t come back here and I never want to see you around my sister again!"