From Pain to Paradise

CHAPTER 24

Murad's voice was firm, his words laced with a quiet authority, "Shehryar, the marriage will be held at the time we decided, not before. We will not be rushed into this."

Shehryar's smile was like a crack in the facade of his polished demeanor, revealing a hint of smugness beneath. "Uncle, you should be grateful that I'm still willing to marry your daughter after all her...indiscretions."

Hannah's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Shehryar with a mixture of anger and fear. Her father's face, however, turned red with rage, his voice thundering through the room like a clap of lightning. "What rubbish, Shehryar! How dare you!"

Shehryar stood up, his movements fluid and calculated, like a predator unfolding from a crouch. "Relax, uncle. I'm not lying. I knew you wouldn't believe me, so I have proof." He opened his phone, revealing a series of photos that made Murad's eyes widen in shock.

The images were like a punch to the gut, leaving Murad breathless and reeling. Pictures of Hannah and Faris hugging, laughing together, and dining at a cozy restaurant.

Murad's face paled, his voice trembling with fury as he turned to Hannah. "Is that you?" he demanded, shoving the phone in her face like an accusation.

Hannah gulped, her eyes darting to her mother, who looked equally terrified. "Baba, let me explain—"

But Murad cut her off, his voice rising to a deafening crescendo. "Yes or no, Hannah! Is that you in those photos?"
Shehryar watched the scene unfold with an air of triumph, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light, as Hannah's world began to crumble around her.

Tears welled up in Hannah's eyes as she whispered, "Y...yes."

In a flash of anger, Murad's hand shot out, his palm connecting with Hannah's cheek in a resounding slap. The force of the blow sent Hannah crashing to the ground, her head hitting the edge of the table with a sickening thud. A faint trickle of blood appeared on her forehead, mixing with the tears streaming down her face.

Her mother rushed to her side, as Murad turned to Shehryar, his eyes blazing with determination, "We will proceed with the nikkah today without any further delay."

Shehryar smiled, his eyes gleaming with triumph, as he gazed at Hannah's broken form.

Hannah's eyes widened in horror as she gazed up at her mother, who stood up with a resolute expression.

"Murad, let's reconsider this," her mother urged, her voice laced with a hint of desperation. "This isn't right."

Murad's jaw set in obstinacy, he shook his head. "No, I won't delay this any further. Your daughter has embarrassed me," he thundered, his voice echoing through the room.

Hannah's hands fluttered to her father's feet, grasping them with a pleading intensity. "Baba, please... don't do this. Give me a chance to explain," she begged, her voice trembling.

But Murad's face remained unyielding, his eyes cold and unforgiving. He shook off her grasp, his movements dismissive.

Shaista's heart raced as she summoned the last vestiges of her courage. She stood tall, her eyes locked on her husband, and began to speak. "Hannah's nikkah is not possible," she said, her voice firm but laced with a hint of trepidation.

The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on her in shock. Hannah's legs trembled beneath her as she stood up, her face ashen with fear.

Shehryar's mother, was the first to break the silence. "What do you mean, Shaista?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

Shaista took a deep breath, steeling herself for the revelation. "The truth is, Hannah is already married," she announced, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.