Maryam's POV

My vision blurs as tears stream down my face. Samar's eyes, once warm and loving, now seem emotionless.

"Tell me, Love," he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Why was he there at the same time? Are you hiding something from me, huh?"

He pulls out his phone, displaying pictures of me and Rayan in Kindness.

"You must have thought I was in Hong Kong, and I would not find out," Samar spits.

Rayan and I exchange a glance.

"Samar, mind your words," Rayan warns.

But Samar's gaze remains fixed on me, intense.

"Why are you crying, Love?" he asks, his hand touching my face.I feel betrayal in his touch I want to remove his hands off me.I feel suffocating.

"I should be the one crying, since I'm the one being cheated on."

Rayan's anger boils over. He grabs Samar's collar.

"Maryam, don't expect me to calm down."

With a swift punch, Rayan strikes Samar's face.

Samar drops onto the ground,He stands up but instead of retaliating on Rayan he walks towards me.

Samar's tall figure looms over me, his eyes glinting with disdain.

"Well, it's okay. You were never my type," he says, his voice dripping with indifference.

He turns to walk away, his words slicing through the air like a dagger.

"You were right, Love. It was just an attraction. And now, I'm bored."

His tone remains calm, almost conversational, ignorant of its effect on me.

"Bored of you. Bored of this game of being a good person. Handling your tantrums. Being someone I'm not.Calling you Love,sending you letters,flowers,those stupid stuff toys. "

Each phrase feels like a deliberate blow, designed to hurt.

Memories of Samar's kindness, warmth, and care flood my mind. Was it all an act.It was all false.

Past three months play in front of my eyes like a movie,his action,his kind words,his warm touch.It was all a lie.

"I thought you'd be fun, but I was wrong," Samar breaks my thoughts. "You're average, low-class, and now a cheater too."

Rayan's anger ignites, his eyes blazing. He pins Samar to the wall.

"Stop him,Love" Samar smirks, his gaze locked on mine. "He'll only listen to you."

" Ironic.isnt it." He laughs.

My legs buckle, and I collapse to the ground.

"Maryam!" Rayan rushes to my side, abandoning Samar.

He kneels beside me, concern etched on his face.

Samar's POV

Rayan pins me into the wall in anger,his eyes has rage as if he will take my life on spot.Well he is taking my life,my love,my world.I am being fool enough of giving him what belongs to me.Only I know how much I am suffering right now,this feeling is inexpressable-----Like finding a priceless Kohinoor diamond only to lose it.

"Stop him,Love! He will only listen to you." I smirk trying my best to provoke her emotions.

" Ironic.Isnt it" I laugh.

Maryam looks at me in dissapointment, And its slicing my heart into two.

Hate me my love,hate me thats what I deserve.Her eyes running like a river,my arms are aching to pull her into me,I want to confront her,I want to ease her pain.Even though I am the reason of her pain.

But this pain is temporary,Love.There will be no further pain after this.You will leave me and everything will be fine.I will destroy you,just like i am destroyed.

I'm Samar Ibrahim, a screwed-up person who couldn't even protect you. You were drowning right in front of me, and I couldn't save you. I'm a failure. I couldn't save my mother either.

She was struggling, and I knew it. I saw the signs - the depression, the tears, the fights. But I ignored them, convincing myself that my family was perfect, that everything would magically fix itself.

I was too scared to face the truth: my parents didn't love each other anymore.My father cheated on my mother.

The father whom I think of as a perfect human being,my idol,my hero.

I hate myself for loving him so much.I loved him so much that even though i knew he cheated on my mother,i didnt told anyone,not a single person.
I hate myself for this.I will never forgive myself.

The father who is a monster,he took my mother and now he is taking you away from me.I know he tried to kill you,I am sure that woman didnt accidently pushed you.I am sure its him.

I confronted him but he denied.He is the biggest liar.

Menupulator.

Monster.

I wont lose you like I lost my mother.I will save you from him even if I have to leave you.I will save you.

Maryam drops to the ground,I am about to abondon this act,I want to hug her,console her and hide her from further harm.

Rayan leaves me and approaches her,"Maryam,careful" he says.

Look love! this is what you deserve,Rayan.He is a person that will love you without hurting you.I knew it from the day one that He is perfect for you but still i forced you to marry me because I was being greedy,greedy for your Love,greedy for your care ,greedy for your kindness.

Now I will fix everything.I will leave you.

Even though it give me anxiety,I feel dead from the inside.How am I suppose to leave you How to gather that courage.

Leaving you will shatter me.

I flee the scene, my heart heavier than it's been in ages. Each step feels like an eternity, weighed down by the crushing guilt.

I hasten towards my room, legs trembling beneath me. My feet stumble, twice, as if the floor itself is shifting.

Sweat drips from my brow, cold and clammy. My breaths come in ragged gasps, each inhale a struggle.

My vision blurs, and the hallway stretches out like a never-ending tunnel.

I force myself forward, desperate for solitude.

Finally, I reach my room and slam the door shut behind me.

I lean against the door, panting, as the world spins around me.

My chest constricts, a vice tightening around my heart.

I struggle to breathe, each gasp a desperate fight for air.

My mind races:

"What have I done?I hurt her a lot"

The room closes in, walls suffocating me.

I collapse onto the bed, overwhelmed.

"How am I supposed to live now?" I think, despair creeping in.

Memories of her flood my mind: her gentle words, infectious laugh, and warm smile.Her touch,so gentle,so affectionate,I can feel her in my arms and it hurts as nothing hurted like it before.

Each memory stabs like a knife to the heart.

My body trembles, anxiety ravaging me.

The room spins, darkness closing in.

I gasp for air, but it's scarce.

My chest tightens, a crushing weight.

I'm drowning in self-loathing.

As the anxiety ravages me, it suddenly subsides, leaving me hollow.

My mind goes blank, numbness spreading through my body.

I lie there, motionless, devoid of thought,staring at cieling.

Time loses meaning.

Eventually, thirst pierces the numbness.

I need water.

With effort, I sit up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

The room spins, but I wait for it to settle.

My gaze falls on the table, several feet away.

I stand, taking slow steps towards the table.

When I reach there I am met with a familier frangrance.My eyes lands on a tray,I open the lid and I see my favourite carrot cake.

I find a note,I open it.

I dont like silent Samar.I want old Samar back.I know you are sad and you have every reason to be but I still hope this cake would make you happy.

I clutch my hair tightly to handle my overwhelming emotions.She made this for me,to make me happy.

I regret everything,I regret ever meeting her,I regret marrying her,I regret destrying her beautiful soul.

I slump into the chair,cake and note in front of me.

Maryam's POV

Its a nightmare,Maryam open your eyes,everything will be fine.Wake up Maryam.

I can feel the cold floor under me,I am convincing myself that all this is a nightmare.

"Maryam" Rayan's voice whisper through the haze,I am tracing the pattern on the cold,marble floor.

I am staring it as floor seems to hold the answers of my never ending queation.

" Maryam" he shouts I lift my eyes to look at him.His eyes looking me in pity.His eyes warm,compassionate.

" What happened" He says," Dont act like you didnt expect this to happen."

" You are right," I say,"I did expect it from him." I add.

But in reality,its hard to believe.Samar cant do this to me.

But he did, he accused me of cheating,he watched over me,he never believed me,he never stopped stalking me.He thinks I am a cheater,he is worst just like Tara aunty.She also thinks I am a woman with lose morals.

Samar,how can he do this to me.
He use to care about me,he loved me or he pretended to love me.

He faked it.

Maryam.

It was all lie.

But it never felt a lie.It felt real.

" Maryam"Rayan says.
" Yes"
" Tell me honestly."His adam apple bobs as he gulps in nervousness.
" What?"
" You love him"

Blank

My brain is blank

My eyes running

My heart beating at the highest speed

Rayan's eyes seeking answer.

" What are you saying? Huh" I say," This is what I wanted,I didnt told you but this was my own plan,I married him for temporary escape,I wanted him to leave me."

" Then why are you crying?"

"I dont know," I say trying to force a laugh," I think these are tears of happiness."

I stand up and walk to the railing,cold evening wind hits my face,I watch waves of ocean hitting the coast.

"You cant lie to me"Rayan comment.

I turn to see him," I am not lying."

" You are lying,You love him.I didnt expect this from you.I warned you about him."
"Believe me I dont love him"
" You do" his voice loud
" How can I love someone who hurted me so much,he stalked me,forced me,betrayed me.How can I love him Rayan.How."My voice loud and my tone desperate.
" Are you telling me or convincing yourself." He takes some steps towards me," You Love him"
" Dont say it again and again.It would not be true.I do not love him" I yell.
"Then why is horror in your eyes,you are scared that he is leaving you."
" Rayan,stop" I plead.
" I know more than you know yourself, Maryam." He says," Dont deny it."

After saying that he walks away.I watch his figure leaving.

..................

Two days passed by and I havent talked to Samar,niether did he tried to talk to me.I am sleeping in Ayesha's room with her ever since.I ignore him as much as possible,I cant bear his sight.His betrayel hurts deeper with each day.

"I liked it" I say as Ayesha shows me vlog of her new recipe she made yesterday.

"Thank you " She adds.

I hear someone's footsteps and I can tell without turning its him.

"Hey, Samar" Ayesha beams," Come sit, enjoy sunset with us." She adds smiling at me.

I can see from the corner of my eyes that he is standing,his gaze are on me.

" Dont get jealous Samar that Your wife spends most of her time with me instead of you." Ayesha teases.

He remains silent so does I.Ayesha gets suspicious," Did you guys fight?" She touches my shoulder.

I shake my head in no.

"Everything is fine except your big mouth"I hear samar say," Cant you mind your own bussiness." He adds.

" I am sure your rude behavior must be the reason Maryam is upset with you."she replies.

Slow waves hit the beach and its healing.I remember how I promised Samar I would never go near the ocean and now sit here every evening.He also promised a number things,all of that a lie.He is a liar.

Ayesha's phone buzzes," Its Emad" She says,answering the phone call.

Ayesha leaves back to the sofia mansion talking to her husband.

I feel extremely suffocating being alone with him.I wake up and start walking to the sofia mansion.

He is following me I can hear his footsteps,his each step reignites the same pain I felt that day,I want to confront him,I want to scold him,I want to accuse him,I have a lot to say to him yet I am unable to utter a single word.

I never felt this heartbroken,this hurt,this vulnerable in my entire life.

His words,his promises,his confession, these past months haunts me like a scary deception.

As I take another step, a sharp sting pierces my foot. I trip, falling hard onto the ground, and scream in pain.

"What happened, Love?" Samar rushes to my side, his eyes filled with concern.

Why is he concerning, what he want now,is this a new trick to play with my emotions.

I glance down to see the thorn embedded in my shoe, digging into my skin.

Samar kneels beside me, reaching for my foot.

I pull my foot back, refusing his touch.

"Stay away" I protest, trying to shake him off.

He doesnt stop and holds my ankle,he removes my shoe, revealing the thorn lodged in my flesh. Blood flows quickly, and I wince.

"Stay still," he whispers, extracting the thorn.

Samar examines the wound, his expression serious.

I try to stand, but pain shoots through my foot. Suddenly, Samar sweeps me into his arms.

"Put me down!" I demand, struggling to break free.

But Samar's grip is unyielding. I press against his chest.

"Samar, drop me!"

He ignores my pleas, striding towards Sofia Mansion.

"Leave me!" I yell, pushing against him.

Samar's expression remains stern, his jaw set.He is walking.

" I am warning you last time,put me down or you will regret it." I threaten, desperation creeping into my voice.

Samar doesnt leave me.

Enraged, I turn my face to his shoulder,I yank up the fabric of his T-shirt by my hand to bite his bare skin,My teeth sink deep into his muscle, but Samar doesn't flinch.

Frustrated, I bite harder, pouring all my anger and hurt into the bite.

The memories of his betrayal flood back, and I bite deeper, wanting to cause pain.I want to Hurt him as much as he had hurt me.

Samar's eyes narrow, but he doesn't wince. His composure fuels my rage.

You hurt me the most and You think a thorn in my foot compares to the pain you caused? I think to myself.

My mouth hurts biting his arm but he doesnt put me down,but he seems unbothered walking to the mansion,I sink my teeth deeper,tears running down in frustration.

Suddenly, I taste blood.

Horrified, I pull away, releasing his arm.

Blood flows down Samar's arm.

Our eyes meet, mine wide with shock, his filled with a mix of regret and concern.

For a moment, we stare at each other, the tension between us painful.

His eyes are warm just like before.

Suddenly I remember that day again,his bitter words,his cruel smile everything.

Anger resurges,

I struggle again, desperate to break free.

"Put me down!" I demand, my voice shaking.