But Ishika didn’t move.She stood frozen in the middle of the room, the sharp echo of his command still ringing in her ears. Her heart thudded against her ribs, but her feet refused to obey. Her eyes were fixed on him—not with fear this time, but with something heavier. A boiling frustration that had long been buried beneath years of silence and obedience.She wanted to scream, but her voice was lodged in her throat. Why was he always like this? Cold, commanding, unreachable. Never once did he ask her what she wanted. Never once did he care if she was