Rain poured heavily outside City Care Hospital as thunder echoed across the dark night. The emergency floor remained crowded, but silence surrounded one particular room.

Room No. 203.

The room where the great Rudra Khanna lay fighting for his last breath.

Machines beeped continuously beside him while blood stains still marked the edge of his white hospital bandage. The attack had been brutal. His enemies did not want to injure him.

They wanted him dead.

Standing near the hospital bed, Ira Sharma tried hard to control her trembling hands. Her eyes were swollen from crying, yet she kept checking every medicine, every report, every tiny movement of the man she respected more than anyone.

For the world, Rudra Khanna was a ruthless CEO. But for Ira. He was the man who gave an orphan girl a life.

"Sir... please don't talk too much," Ira whispered emotionally while adjusting his blanket carefully. "Doctor said you need rest."

Rudra gave a weak smile. Even after all these years, the girl still worried exactly the same way.

"Ira..." his voice came out painfully slow.

Her eyes instantly lifted toward him. "Yes, sir?"

"There's... very little time left."

"No!" she shook her head immediately. "Nothing will happen to you. Doctors are trying-"

"They're lying," he interrupted softly. "I know my condition better than anyone."

Tears filled her eyes again. For the first time in years, Ira looked scared. Not for herself. But for losing the only person she could call family. Rudra slowly turned his gaze toward the rain-covered window.

"My enemies won't stop after my death," he whispered. "They'll go after Tushar next."

At the mention of his son, fear appeared in his tired eyes for the first time. Not fear for death. Fear for his child.

Ira clenched her fingers tightly. "I'll protect him, sir. I promise."

Rudra looked at her silently for a few seconds. Then slowly raised his weak hand toward her.

"I want you to marry him."

Everything stopped. Even the sound of rain outside suddenly felt distant. Ira stared at him in complete shock.

"W-What...?"

"Tushar..." he breathed painfully. "Marry my son."

"Sir..." she stepped back slightly, unable to process his words. "How can you even say that? He's just seventeen!"

"He'll turn eighteen in a few months."

"But I'm older than him..."

"I know."

"People will question him... they'll question you... this marriage-"

"This marriage will protect him," Rudra interrupted weakly. "As long as you stay beside him, my enemies won't be able to manipulate him."

Ira's eyes turned red from tears.

"No, sir... this is wrong..."

Rudra slowly held her trembling hand. For the first time, the powerful Rudra Khanna looked helpless.

"I don't trust anyone else."

Those five words shattered her completely.

"You raised my company beside me," he continued softly. "You protected Tushar like family even without realizing it... If I leave him alone, they'll destroy him."

Ira lowered her head as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. She knew exactly how dangerous Rudra Khanna's world was. Money. Power. Enemies. Betrayal. And Tushar... was still too young for all of it.

"I'll arrange the marriage papers," Rudra whispered weakly. "Please, Ira... this is the last favor I'll ever ask from you."

Her lips trembled. This was not love. Not a normal marriage. This was a dying father begging someone to protect his son.

Outside the room, footsteps suddenly echoed through the corridor. A tall boy rushed toward the room in panic.

"Tushar sir-!" a guard tried stopping him.

But he pushed the door open immediately.

"Dad!"

Ira quickly wiped her tears and stepped back.

Seventeen-year-old Tushar Khanna stood frozen near the entrance, his breathing uneven from running. His black hoodie was drenched from rain, and fear filled his dark eyes the moment he saw his father connected to machines.

"Dad..." his voice broke softly.

Rudra looked at his son silently. And somewhere deep inside his heart... He knew this might be the last time he was seeing him. Tushar's hands trembled violently as he rushed toward the hospital bed.

"Dad..." his broken voice echoed inside the room.

The fearless Rudra Khanna looked weak for the first time in his life. And Tushar couldn't bear it. He immediately grabbed his father's hand tightly as if letting go would make him disappear forever.

"What happened?" he asked shakily while looking at Ira. "You said it was just a small attack... then why is he like this?"

Ira lowered her eyes silently. Because she couldn't answer him. How could she tell a seventeen-year-old boy that his world was slipping away right in front of him?

"Dad..." Tushar's voice cracked again as he looked back at Rudra. "You promised me you'd come home tonight."

Rudra tried smiling weakly. But that smile only made Tushar panic more.

"No..." he shook his head repeatedly. "No, don't look at me like that."

The monitors kept beeping slowly. Rain continued pouring outside. And suddenly Tushar felt like that little child again... the one who used to hold his father's finger while crossing roads.

Because Rudra Khanna was never just his father. He was his entire world. The man who woke him up for school every morning. The man who learned cooking after Shriya died because his son refused to eat food made by servants. The man who attended every parent meeting despite running an empire. The man who silently sat beside him all night whenever he got sick. The man who became both mother and father together.

And now...

That same man looked like he was slipping away from him.

"Dad..." Tushar whispered helplessly. "Please don't leave me."

Ira's eyes instantly filled again hearing the pain in his voice. Rudra slowly lifted his trembling hand and touched Tushar's face gently.

"My son..." he whispered weakly.

Tushar immediately bent closer.

"You're strong," Rudra breathed painfully. "Stronger than me."

"No..." Tushar shook his head emotionally. "I'm not strong. I don't want to be strong. I just want you."

The room fell silent. Even Ira had to look away because the pain in his voice was unbearable. Tushar suddenly looked toward the doctors standing outside.

"Call someone else!" he shouted desperately. "The best doctors in the country! I'll pay anything!"

"They're already trying their best, sir..." one doctor answered softly.

"No!" Tushar snapped emotionally. "Then do more!"

His breathing became uneven as tears finally escaped his eyes.

"I can't lose him..."

That sentence shattered the entire room. Because everyone knew the truth. Tushar Khanna may belong to one of the richest families in the country...

But emotionally?

He was just a son terrified of losing his father. Rudra looked toward Ira slowly. And for the first time... She understood why he trusted her with his son. Because after Rudra Khanna... Tushar would have nobody left. Rudra closed his eyes for a few seconds, trying to gather the little strength left inside him.

"Tushar..." he called weakly.

Immediately, Tushar moved closer. "I'm here, Dad."

Rudra looked at him quietly. His son still looked like a child to him. The same boy who used to sleep on his chest after nightmares. The same boy who secretly waited every night for his father to return home before eating dinner. And now fate was forcing him to leave that boy alone in a world full of wolves.

Rudra's chest tightened painfully.

"I need you to listen carefully."

Tushar instantly shook his head. "No. Don't talk like that."

But Rudra continued softly, "Promise me... you'll stay calm after me."

"Stop saying after you!" Tushar almost broke down. "Nothing is happening to you!"

His voice echoed emotionally through the room. Even the nurses outside lowered their heads silently. Because everyone could see it now. The mighty Rudra Khanna was dying. And his son was falling apart with him. Rudra slowly looked toward Ira.

For a second, confusion crossed Tushar's face seeing his father stare at her so seriously.

"Ira..." Rudra whispered.

She immediately stepped closer. "Yes, sir."

"Tell him."

Her heart stopped.

"No..." she whispered instantly.

Tushar frowned slightly, looking between them. "Tell me what?"

Silence. Heavy. Painful silence.

Rudra held Tushar's hand tightly before speaking.

"You won't be alone after me."

Tushar's eyes turned red. "I don't want anyone else."

"You have Ira."

The moment those words left his mouth, confusion filled Tushar's face completely.

"She'll stay with you," Rudra continued weakly. "She'll protect you."

"Obviously she will," Tushar answered emotionally without understanding. "She's family."

A painful smile appeared on Rudra's lips.

"Yes... family."

Ira lowered her eyes immediately. Her hands were trembling badly now. Something inside her wanted to stop this conversation before it reached the point she feared. But Rudra had already decided.

"Tushar..." his weak voice filled the room once again. "I asked Ira to marry you."

Everything went silent. Tushar froze completely. For a moment, he genuinely thought he heard wrong.

"...What?"

Ira closed her eyes painfully.

Rudra's breathing became heavier. "After my death... you both will marry."

Tushar stared at his father in complete disbelief. Then at Ira. Then back at his father again. His mind stopped working.

"Dad..." he whispered blankly. "What are you saying?"

"She'll protect you from this world better than anyone."

"But she..." Tushar looked toward Ira again, unable to process anything. "She's older than me."

"I know."

"This is insane."

"Tushar-"

"No!" he suddenly stood up emotionally. "You can't decide something like this!"

Ira silently clenched her fingers hearing the pain and shock in his voice. Of course he would react like this. He was just seventeen. And suddenly his dying father was talking about marriage.

"Tushar..." Rudra tried speaking again, but pain shot through his chest violently.

The monitor sound instantly became unstable.

"Sir!" Ira panicked.

Doctors rushed inside immediately.

Tushar stepped back in fear as doctors surrounded the bed.

"Dad-!"

"You all please wait outside!" one doctor ordered quickly.

"No!" Tushar shouted. "I'm not leaving him!"

But Ira quickly held his arm.

"Tushar..."

For the first time, her calm voice shook badly.

"Please."

He looked at her with helpless, tear-filled eyes. And slowly... His strength broke completely.

Outside the ICU room, Tushar stood frozen while doctors tried saving his father inside.

The red emergency light reflected in his wet eyes. His breathing became uneven. And after a few seconds... He slowly slid down the wall and buried his face in his trembling hands. Breaking down silently.

The hospital corridor felt colder than ever.

Doctors kept running in and out of the ICU while nurses whispered anxiously among themselves. But Tushar heard nothing.

His mind was blank. His father's words echoed repeatedly inside his head.

"I asked Ira to marry you."

It felt unreal. Wrong. Confusing. And yet none of it mattered right now. Because the only thing he cared about was the man fighting for life behind that door.

Tushar sat on the floor near the wall, his head lowered, fingers trembling uncontrollably. His expensive watch, branded clothes, powerful surname...

None of it could save Rudra Khanna. For the first time in his life, Tushar felt truly helpless.

A few steps away, Ira stood silently near the ICU window. Tears continuously rolled down her cheeks, but she kept wiping them quickly as if she had no right to cry. Because Rudra Khanna was not just her boss. He was the man who gave her a home when the world abandoned her.

Suddenly-

The ICU door opened. Both of them stood instantly. The doctor stepped outside slowly, his face serious.

"I'm sorry..." he spoke softly. "His condition is getting worse."

Tushar's heart stopped.

"No..."

"We don't have much time left."

The world shattered around him. Before anyone could react, Tushar rushed inside the ICU immediately.

"Dad!"

Rudra slowly opened his eyes hearing his son's broken voice. Tushar grabbed his hand tightly.

"Look at me," he whispered desperately. "Nothing will happen to you... okay? We'll go home together."

Rudra looked at him silently for a few seconds. Then weakly smiled. Exactly the same way he used to smile whenever little Tushar got scared during thunderstorms.

"My stubborn son..." he whispered painfully.

Tushar's tears fell harder hearing that familiar tone.

"You promised me," he cried softly. "You promised you'll never leave me alone."

Rudra's eyes slowly shifted toward Ira, who stood near the door trying hard not to break down completely. With trembling effort, he extended his weak hand slightly toward her. Ira immediately moved closer and held his hand carefully. Rudra joined both their hands together. Tushar looked down at their joined hands in confusion and pain.

"Ira..." Rudra whispered weakly. "Take care of him."

Her lips trembled instantly.

"Sir..."

"He gets angry quickly... but he has a soft heart."

Tushar lowered his head emotionally.

"He doesn't eat properly when he's stressed... and he acts strong even when he's hurting."

"Dad..." Tushar cried quietly.

Rudra looked at Ira once again.

"For the first time in my life... I'm leaving my son in someone else's hands."

Tears rolled endlessly down Ira's cheeks now. Because she could hear it. The trust. The helplessness. The fear of a father dying before protecting his child properly.

"I promise," she whispered brokenly. "I'll protect him with my life."

A peaceful smile finally appeared on Rudra Khanna's face. As if those words alone removed his biggest fear. Slowly, he lifted his trembling hand and touched Tushar's face one last time.

"My son..."

Tushar held his father's hand against his cheek desperately.

"I'm here, Dad..."

Rudra's breathing slowly weakened.

"I'm proud of you."

Those were the last words Rudra Khanna spoke before the monitor beside him suddenly turned into one continuous sound.

Beeeeeeeeeeep-.

"No..."

Tushar froze completely. The doctors rushed forward instantly. But Tushar couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't understand anything. Because the man who had been his entire world... Was gone.

The continuous sound of the monitor echoed through the ICU like a nightmare.

Beeeeeeeeeeep-

"Time of death... 11:47 PM."

The doctor's voice faded into the background. Tushar stood frozen beside the hospital bed, still holding his father's lifeless hand tightly, as if refusing to believe reality.

"No..."

His lips moved weakly.

"No... Dad..."

One of the doctors slowly tried pulling his hand away, but Tushar instantly tightened his grip.

"No!" he shouted painfully. "Don't touch him!"

Everyone in the room fell silent. Tushar looked at his father desperately, waiting for him to open his eyes again. To scold him. To smile. To say something. Anything. But Rudra Khanna remained still. Completely still. And that silence destroyed Tushar completely.

"Dad..." his voice cracked into a whisper. "Please get up..."

Ira covered her mouth immediately as tears poured endlessly from her eyes. She had seen Rudra Khanna survive impossible situations. People feared him. The business world bowed before him.

Yet tonight... Death won.

Tushar slowly bent forward and rested his forehead against his father's hand. His shoulders shook violently. And finally... The boy who always tried acting mature broke down completely.

"You can't leave me..." he cried helplessly. "You promised..."

Every word carried unbearable pain. Ira couldn't stop herself anymore. She walked toward him slowly, but stopped midway. Because she suddenly realized something terrifying. Rudra Khanna was gone. And now. Tushar was alone. Completely alone.

After a few minutes, nurses slowly disconnected the machines while doctors silently left the room, giving them privacy. Rain still poured outside the hospital windows. Cold. Merciless. Exactly like fate.

Tushar finally lifted his head slowly. His eyes were red, broken, empty.

"I wasn't enough for you to stay?"

Ira's heart shattered hearing that sentence.

"No..." she whispered immediately. "Don't say that."

But Tushar laughed bitterly through tears.

"Everyone leaves."

The room went silent again. Because those words unknowingly mirrored Ira's entire life too. Parents. Family. And now Rudra Khanna. Both of them had spent their lives losing people they loved. Tushar slowly looked toward Ira.

For the first time, there was no "Miss Ira" politeness in his eyes anymore.

Only pain. Raw, unbearable pain.

"He trusted you the most, didn't he?"

Ira lowered her gaze silently. Tushar gave a weak nod like he already knew the answer.

"Even in his last moments..."

His eyes slowly fell toward their hands. The same hands Rudra joined together before dying. Suddenly the memory hit him hard again.

"I asked Ira to marry you."

Tushar quickly looked away. His chest tightened painfully. Everything felt too heavy. His father's death. That promise. That responsibility. This marriage.

"I can't do this..." he whispered weakly.

Ira's eyes instantly lifted toward him. Tushar stepped back slowly,

breathing unevenly.

"I can't even understand what's happening anymore."

And for the first time since Rudra's death... Ira finally spoke not as a secretary. But as someone standing beside him in grief.

"You don't have to understand everything tonight."

Tushar looked at her silently. His eyes were filled with tears again. Because right now... She was the only familiar person left in his shattered world.