Chapter 11: The Turning Point
Leyla stood in the spacious, elegantly decorated guest room, brushing out the knots in Nosheen’s long hair. The delicate scent of jasmine filled the air, mingling with the faint buzz of excitement from the two teenage girls.
“Aapi, do you think this dress looks good on me?” Nazish twirled in front of the mirror, her sequined gown catching the light.
Leyla smiled, a rare softness in her eyes. “You look beautiful, Nazish. Both of you do. You’ll be the stars of the farewell party.”
Nosheen giggled, her eyes sparkling. “I hope so! Thank you so much for helping us, bhabi. We know you’re really busy.”
Leyla’s smile wavered for a moment. “It’s no trouble at all. You both deserve to look your best.”
From the doorway, Emmad watched silently, his expression unreadable. Leyla’s gentle interactions with his nieces touched a place in his heart he hadn’t realized was still tender. She was so different with them, so genuine. He admired her from afar, but his admiration was tainted with the bitterness of their forced marriage and the chasm that lay between them.
### Six Months of Silence
The months passed in a strained silence. Leyla, following Dr. Sarah’s advice, had decided to create a scandal with a colleague, hoping it would push Emmad to divorce her. Emmad, bound by his agreement with Leyla’s father, Dr. Ali Arzhang, maintained his stoic distance, his admiration for Leyla unspoken.
One evening, Leyla found herself setting up their bed. Her hands moved mechanically as her mind wandered to the convoluted path her life had taken. The hospital had given her a brief vacation, and the sudden free time only amplified her inner turmoil.
Emmad entered the room, adjusting his cufflinks. He was preparing for an official dinner, his face set in a mask of indifference.
“Do you smoke and drink?” Leyla’s voice broke the silence, her question surprising both of them.
Emmad raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. “Why do you ask?”
Leyla shrugged, her gaze avoiding his. “No special reason, just curious.”
He chuckled softly, the sound warm but distant. “I drink occasionally. Smoking, yes. It's a habit.”
Leyla’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I don’t like cigarettes. I can’t tolerate the smell.”
Emmad nodded, his smile fading slightly. “What do you want, Leyla?”
She took a deep breath, her voice steady. “Could you quit smoking?”
Emmad looked at her in shock, his eyes searching hers. “You want me to quit?”
“It’s up to you. I was just saying.” Leyla’s voice was soft, almost vulnerable.
Emmad nodded, chuckling again. “I’ll think about it.”
### The Revelation
Later that night, Emmad attended his company’s official dinner, but his mind was elsewhere. Rumors of Leyla’s supposed scandal reached his ears, and anger bubbled within him, threatening to spill over.
He found himself at a bar afterward, drowning his frustration in alcohol and cigarettes. It was past 4 a.m. when he finally returned home, his steps unsteady.
Leyla was waiting for him, her heart pounding with anxiety. She knew he had found out about the scandal.
“Where were you?” Her voice trembled with unspoken fears.
Emmad’s eyes were cold as he approached her. “Shut up,” he said seductively, grabbing her hand. He pressed the lit cigarette to her skin, and she stifled a scream, his hand covering her mouth.
“Does it hurt?” he whispered, his voice laced with a mix of anger and pain.
Leyla nodded, tears streaming down her face.
“It hurts me a million times more here,” he said, placing her hand over his heart. His eyes locked onto hers, almond-shaped and glistening with tears.
“You wanted a divorce, right? You have it. I, Emmad Noorani, in my complete consciousness, divorc—”
Leyla quickly placed her hand over his mouth, stopping him. He chuckled darkly, removing her hand and walking to the bathroom to take a shower. She sank to the floor, crying silently.
When Emmad emerged, he grabbed a pillow and blanket, heading to the guest room. Leyla tried to stop him, but he ignored her, his heart hardened.
### Perspectives of the Night
**Leyla’s Perspective:**
Leyla lay awake, her body curled up in their empty bed. The pain from the burn on her hand throbbed, but it was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. She had pushed Emmad away, but seeing his pain tonight made her realize the depth of his feelings. She regretted her actions, the scandal, the distance. Tears flowed freely, and she prayed for a miracle, for a way to mend their broken bond.
**Emmad’s Perspective:**
Emmad lay on the couch in the guest room, staring at the ceiling. The burn of the alcohol was nothing compared to the searing pain in his chest. Leyla’s scandal had shattered his already fragile heart. He thought about her request for him to quit smoking, a small plea that held so much meaning. He had tried to keep his distance, but her presence in his life was too strong to ignore. As he drifted into a restless sleep, he wondered if their love story was destined for a tragic end or if there was still a chance for redemption.
The night dragged on, both of them lost in their thoughts, their hearts heavy with regret and unspoken words. The silence between them was suffocating, but beneath it all, there was a flicker of hope, a possibility of reconciliation.
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Forced Vows | Age gap | fictional characters |
RomanceLeyla Arzhang, a 27-year-old doctor, had always been her father's pride. But when she eloped with a man her family disapproved of, the scandal threatened to ruin their reputation. Her father, a respected doctor himself, was desperate to salvage thei...
