The slow return to consciousness brought with it a sharp, searing pain. Haseena winced silently. Her back—where the wound throbbed from the earlier attack—had pressed against the mattress when Anubhav, unaware of her injury, had gently turned her. The pain shot through her spine like a blade, but she bit down on it, refusing to let a sound escape. Instead, she slowly shifted to a sitting position, hoping it would ease the intensity.

Anubhav’s hand rose gently to her cheek, his eyes filled with worry.