Burn the truth (ENG)

| 49 |

I sat tense on the couch. My nails pressed against my palm as I stared at the ground.

"Zara, look at me."

I heard him walk up to me and crouch next to me.

I looked the other way.

"Zara." The tone he used calmed the anger in me. His fingers held my chin quietly and turned me his way.

I swallowed as his brown-green eyes came into view. His shoulders slumped, hair tangled and eyes full of emotion.

A million thoughts ran through my head. Chasing each other. Every thought fighting for a top spot.

My mouth had forgotten to form words.

I had seen him again for the first time in three months. He looked the same. Only rougher. His beard was fuller. Bags were under his eyes. His eyes had lost their light.

"I don't want to argue with you." His voice was soft and soothing. I felt myself leaning forward.

Fingertips slid over my stomach and I swallowed. My heartbeat started to accelerate. "Give me a chance, Zara."

That left the trans disconnected.

What are you doing, Zara?

I pushed him away from me and got up.

What are you doing?

I took my steps towards the window.

Have you forgotten what he did to you?

Stop.

I pulled at the collar of my dress. Gasping for air.

Inhale and exhale.

My eyes closed.

Inhale and exhale.

When I had calmed down, I turned around.

He was standing in front of the couch. His shoulders slumped and his eyes sad as he stared at the ground. Deep in thought.

I felt my heart break.

It took a moment for him to roll his shoulders and stand up straight. His eyes flashed my way.

"You can't keep me away from my child, Zara." I was shocked by the tone he used. It sounded cold and dangerous.

For the first time, I felt unsafe and intimidated in Imran's presence.

He took a step towards me.

Biting my lip, I took a step back. "S-stay away from us," I muttered, ignoring the fear in my chest.

"It's my child too." Step forward.

Step back. "That doesn't matter."

"I'm entitled to the baby." Step forward.

"You lost it when I found out you played me," I hissed his way as my back hit the wall.

Seeing the close distance between us, I raised my hand to push him away. Imran, however, held my wrist and pressed it against the wall.

"I played you?" He let out a humorless laugh and caged me between his arms. "You're the one who played me here. Leaving a negative pregnancy test so I wouldn't think you're pregnant."

I had thrown the test away.

His breath stung my neck as he leaned forward. I pressed myself deeper into the wall and he tightened his grip on my wrist.

"Imran, you're hurting me," I muttered under his grip and swallowed.

"I'm hurting you?" he repeated sarcastically. "Do you have any idea what I've been feeling these past few months?" His eyes burned brightly.

His eyes held something dark and dangerous as they stared straight into mine. The warm breath from his mouth gave me shivers.

"Stop that!" I felt my eyes sting. "Stop shifting the blame to me. I didn't start a relationship with another woman while I was married. I didn't have a fake marriage. I didn't led two women at the same time." I pushed him off me. "And I certainly didn't get my fake wife pregnant."

That's what I was. A fake wife.

"Zara-"

My eyes started to water. "You hurt me, Imran." My voice sounded broken. I placed his hand over my heart. "You broke it into a thousand pieces. Seeing you every day will remind me of that."

Imran held my cheek as his eyes looked at me deeply. "Let me take those memories from you and make new ones together."

I took a step away from him and turned my back to him. "It's not that easy."

"What do you want me to do then?" he asked in a mocking tone. "I want to be a part of the baby's life."

I tightened my jaws. "And what if I don't allow it?"

"Then I'll open a lawsuit," he replied confidently. He turned to me. His eyes hard and show determination as he said, "I want to have my child in my life. With or without you."

I turned abruptly and held him by the arm. "You wouldn't dare."

"Do not underestimate me."