(Jeevika, betrayed and abandoned by Yash, begins rebuilding her life while facing the trauma of a fake marriage and kidnapping. Rescued by Inspector Abhay, she recovers physically but remains haunted by betrayal and danger. As she focuses on her studies and starts a new job, she discovers the men who deceived her are still at large. Determined to seek justice, Jeevika spots the lawyer behind her fake marriage and resolves to file a complaint. Her courage is met with support from Inspector Singh, hinting at a turning point. Justice, truth, and confrontation loom on her horizon. Now forwarding)
The Predator and the Protector
Jeevika turned to look at him, surprise and curiosity in her eyes.
“Sir… you? What are you doing here?”
Abhay’s lips curved into a confident smile.
“I see you’ve started fighting back. A very wise decision.”
Jeevika frowned slightly.
“What do you know about me?”
Abhay smiled warmly.
“I know you’re a brave and smart girl—one who not only fights for herself but also for others.”
Jeevika couldn’t help but smile back, a mixture of gratitude and admiration in her eyes.
“What? Yash tried to…?” the lawyer asked, surprised.
“Yes,” Jeevika interrupted firmly. “But Inspector Singh saved me. Yash didn’t feel any regret for what he did. And I also saw that fake lawyer, Kamal.”
Mr. Khan leaned forward, serious.
“Tell me the full story.”
Abhay stood quietly outside the room, giving them space so Jeevika could speak freely without hesitation.
---
Abhay’s phone rang. He stepped out of Khan’s office, frowning.
“What? Police protection? From whom?” His voice was sharp.
He clenched his jaw.
“Vishambhar is already dangerous… who the hell—”
A pause.
“I’m sending someone else.”
“No! I don’t want to guard that man.”
Rage flared in his eyes. He slammed the phone shut.
“Coming,” he muttered, his voice low and cold. “To destroy your empire, Vishambhar.”
With a sudden, wild laugh, Abhay stormed out.
“Tiger protecting a jackal. What rubbish!”
He drove straight to headquarters and reported to his senior.
---
Inside, his blood froze. Vishambhar, the one who had kidnapped and mistreated Jeevika, sat comfortably, as if he owned the place. Calm. Smug.
Abhay entered, eyes burning, and sat opposite him.
The Commissioner’s voice broke the silence.
“Meet Mr. Abhay Singh, the bravest officer of our team. He will provide police protection.”
Vishambhar chuckled darkly.
“I wanted your death. You killed my sons. Now it’s your turn.”
Abhay leaned forward slightly, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Do you have any proof? No? Then keep barking.”
He stood abruptly.
“By the way,” he said casually, “I’ll be waiting outside.”
---
Abhay Singh sat in the front seat beside the driver, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
“I want evidence against Vishambhar,” he murmured to himself. “What a chance the gods have handed me.”
Moments later, Vishambhar slipped into the back seat, his presence filling the air with menace. Slowly, deliberately, he pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Abhay’s head.
“Now… your death,” his voice calm, chilling.
Abhay didn’t flinch. Instead, he chuckled, turning just enough to meet Vishambhar’s cold gaze.
“Oh darling,” he said softly, mocking, “I killed your two sons. Do you really think you’d let me go with such a simple death? No… you’ll want me to suffer. And I’m ready.”
For a long moment, silence thickened inside the vehicle.
Slowly, Vishambhar lowered the gun. A twisted smile crept across his wrinkled face.
“You’re right. Too simple. Too clean.”
Leaning back casually, he waved his hand.
“To the mansion,” he ordered.
The car rolled forward, carrying them both toward a dangerous game neither intended to lose. A black jeep tailed Vishambhar’s car through the dusty lanes, never letting it out of sight.
When the convoy finally stopped at the sprawling mansion, Vishambhar slipped inside without a backward glance.
Abhay stepped out, gathering his men with a sharp gesture.
“Surround the mansion. No loose ends,” he ordered. His team scattered like shadows, taking their positions.
His phone buzzed.
“Kundan here,” came the voice.
“Yeah,” Abhay answered.
“No, I don’t want more force. It’s enough.”
Abhay’s brows knitted.
“What? …Okay, but handle it carefully.”
He ended the call, raked a hand through his hair, and muttered, My duty shift ends at five. If I’m alive till then, someone else can take charge. A grim smile curved his lips.
Pulling out his phone, he typed quickly: Need full list of Vishambhar’s rivals in the criminal world. Urgent.
Sliding the phone back into his pocket, he moved out for a patrol, eyes scanning the mansion’s looming walls.
Vishambhar has police protection… but from whom? And why?
The question gnawed at him as the game tightened.
Abhay’s steps echoed in the corridor as he circled the mansion. By chance, he stopped outside a room—the same place where he had once dragged Jeevika back from death.
A pang hit him. Without thinking, he pulled out his phone and dialed.
“Hello… Is she fine?”
“Yes, sir. We’re watching her closely.”
“Good. Keep it that way,” he said softly, relief slipping into his tone.
He lowered the phone—then froze.
Across the courtyard, through a narrow slit in the curtain, Vishambhar stood. His hand was steady, a pistol raised, aimed directly at Abhay.
For a moment, the world stilled.
Abhay didn’t flinch. He let a faint smile tug at his lips and lifted a casual hand in greeting, as though Vishambhar’s gun was no more than a toy. Then he turned away, murmuring under his breath, Oh God… please save me.
Behind him, Vishambhar’s whisper curled like poison:
“I’ll give you—and that girl—a death so slow, so painful… you’ll beg for mercy. Let’s see.
....
1. Will Abhay finally gather the evidence he needs to bring Vishambhar down—or will the criminal mastermind slip through his fingers again?
2. How far will Vishambhar go to exact revenge, and can Abhay protect Jeevika while facing such imminent danger?
3. In this deadly game of cat and mouse, who will make the first fatal mistake—and what will it cost them?
Want to know what happens next? Keep reading "Courage of Heart”
