Shriya had been wondering aimlessly,she somehow found herself ,to the only place where she was not feared, not measured, and not judged.
The therapist's office.
She sat in the waiting area with her hands folded tightly in her lap, her back straight, her eyes unfocused. The room was quiet in the way only safe places were—soft lighting, muted colors, the faint scent of tea and lavender. Normally, it calmed her.
Today, it felt suffocating.
Her leg bounced uncontrollably, a betrayal of the discipline she had spent years mastering.
When Helen walked in, she didn't announce herself. She simply approached, her expression softening the moment she saw Shriya's face.
"Are you okay?" Helen asked gently.
Shriya didn't answer.
Helen opened her arms, and for once, Shriya didn't hesitate. She stepped forward and let herself be hugged. The moment she did, her composure shattered.
"No, Helen," she said, her voice breaking. "I'm not okay. I don't know what to do anymore."
The room seemed to absorb her grief. Even the air felt heavier.
Helen guided her to the couch and sat beside her. "Tell me," she said quietly.
And Shriya did.
She spoke of MK—of love that had grown where it was never supposed to. Of promises whispered in moments of safety. Of nights that felt like sanctuary. And then, finally, she spoke the name she had been avoiding.
Silas.
Her fiancé.
She explained the threats without dramatizing them. She didn't need to. Helen understood immediately. The room grew colder as the implications settled.
Helen shivered.
Shriya was feared across the city—but Silas was a soldier. Trained. Protected. Backed by a system that would never side with someone like her.
"She won't survive this," Shriya whispered. "If I don't end it… I don't know what he'll do to her."
Helen reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly.
"I can't lose her," Shriya continued, tears streaming freely now. "But if I stay… I might."
They cried together—not loudly, not dramatically. Just the quiet kind of crying that came from knowing there was no good choice left.
At some point, Shriya spoke again, her voice barely there.
"Can I send someone to do it?" she asked. "To break up with her for me?"
Helen shook her head slowly. "She wouldn't believe it," she said. "And even if she did… it would hurt her more. You're the only one she trusts enough to hear it from."
Shriya pressed her fist to her chest.
It felt like something inside her was being torn apart.
For the first time since she started seeing Helen, she left the office heavier than she had entered. The weight followed her onto the streets.
Cars honked as she crossed intersections without looking. People shouted. Life continued around her.
She didn't care.
---
MK had woken with a smile.
The warmth beside her was gone, but the feeling of safety still lingered in her chest.
For a moment, she thought maybe Shriya was in the shower. Or making coffee. Or just standing by the window the way she sometimes did.
Then she reached out.
Cold sheets.
Her smile faded.
"She's probably just upset," MK whispered to herself, sitting up. "It's okay. I'll fix it."
trembling as she reached for her phone. She called.
No answer.
She called again.
Still nothing.
She's ghosting me again, MK thought, her chest tightening.
She drove to her apartment instead, hoping the movement would quiet the anxiety clawing at her insides.
At the building entrance, a man stepped into her path.
"Are you MK?" he asked.
She slowed, studying him. She didn't recognize him. Casual clothes, well-built frame, the kind of presence that suggested discipline and routine.
"Yes," she replied carefully. "How may I help you?"
"I'm a friend of Shriya," he said. "Have you seen her?"
MK stiffened. "Shriya?"
"Yes. I need to discuss something important with her. Have you talked to her recently?"
"I saw her yesterday," MK said. "But I don't know where she is right now."
"Did she say anything to you?" he pressed. "Anything at all?"
"No," MK answered honestly. "We barely spoke."
For a split second, she could have sworn his expression changed—something dark flickering beneath the surface—before it vanished.
"Alright," he said smoothly. "If you see her, tell her Silas says hi."
And then he walked away.
MK frowned, unsettled, but shook it off. She pulled out her phone and sent Shriya a message.
Shriya had been walking aimlessly when her phone buzzed.
The name on the screen made her blood run cold.
Silas:
Hey, Shriya. I just met MK. She's cute.
Her hands trembled violently. The phone slipped from her grasp and hit the pavement.
Her heart pounded so hard it hurt.
She picked it up quickly, fingers shaking as she opened MK's chat. She had archived it—hidding it from herself.
There were messages. So many.
Days' worth.
She opened the most recent.
Morning, Shrii. Was wondering where you are.
Hey, Shrii. I left your apartment. I'll be in mine.
Please, Shrii. Talk to me.
Then the last message, sent minutes ago:
Some guy named Silas came looking for you. Are you okay? I'm worried.
A cold shiver ran through her.
The phone slipped from her hand again.
She hailed a cab without thinking.
"Take me here," she said, giving MK's address.
The sun was setting when she arrived.
She knocked.
She didn't use the key.
Footsteps approached.
The door opened.
"Shrii—" MK breathed, relief flooding her face as she pulled her into a hug. "I was worried. Are you okay?"
Shriya looked defeated. Hollow.
"MK," she said quietly. "I can't do this anymore."
MK froze. "What do you mean?"
"This—us," Shriya said, her voice shaking. "It's too much. I can't take it anymore."
"Did I do something wrong?" MK asked, fear breaking through.
"No," Shriya said quickly. "It's not you. It's me."
She took a breath, summoning the last of her strength.
"MK… I'm breaking up with you. Let's not see each other anymore."
She turned away, her throat closing, breath trapped inside her chest.her heart breaking into million pieces.
"Shrii, please," MK sobbed. "I love you. I will fix it , I , I can't live without you."
She wrapped her arms around Shriya from behind. "You promised. You promised you'd never hurt me. Shrii it's hurts."
"I'm sorry," Shriya whispered, trying to loosen MK's grip. Please let me go. This is the only way to keep you alive.
MK stepped in front of her, tears streaming. "i love you. I know you love me too.lets fix this,I will do anything , please shrii"
She reached for Shriya's face.but
Shriya turned away.
"No, MK."shriya whispered,
"Please," MK begged, resting her head against Shriya's chest, crying so hard it soaked her clothes.
Shriya wrapped her arms around her tightly, her body numb from pain.Please make it stop, she prayed.
Shriya stepped back, looked at MK one last time and walked out.
MK collapsed to the floor, Shriya didn't look back, she knew too well if she did, she would rush back.
A voice echoed from the stairwell.
"MK? "
It was Jesse , seeing MK on the floor, she hurried to her side
Shriya walked past Jesse, she was glad to see her at least MK won't be alone.
And that was the last mercy she could give.