The insistent shrill of his phone dragged Giri from his sleep. He blinked against the soft light filtering through the curtains and glanced at the bedside clock. Nine AM. He reached for the insistent device, his eyes widening slightly at the caller ID. "Rajesh." His son is calling his daughter-in-law Mira.

The name jolted Giri awake. Not fear of being caught, but a sharp dread of losing Mira tightened his chest. Their bond was fragile, no legal ties like hers with Rajesh. This call felt like a pull, threatening to yank her away from his all-consuming desire filled with obsession.