From Pain to Paradise

CHAPTER 25

Faris stepped onto the porch and pressed the doorbell, the chime echoing through the silence. The door swung open, revealing Hannah's mother, her expression strained.

"Faris, thank goodness you're here," she whispered, her voice laced with urgency, as she grasped his arm, her fingers digging deep into his skin.

"Is everything okay, Aunty?" Faris asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

"Take Hannah with you, Faris. Please, you have to get her out of here," she implored, her eyes darting nervously around the foyer, as if fearful of being overheard.

Shaista gaze locked onto his, her eyes pleading. "Just take her, Faris. They'll hurt her."

Faris's face set in determination. "I won't let anyone harm her." Shaista's grip tightened. "Go to her room. Take her away, somewhere far from here."

Faris nodded and rushed up the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest.

Faris burst into the room, his eyes widening in horror. Hannah's body lay limp on the bed, her fragile form eerily still. Bruises marred her porcelain skin, and Faris's heart skipped a beat.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he rushed to her side, his legs trembling beneath him. He gently grasped her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers.

"Hannah," he whispered, his voice cracking.

As he touched the bruises on her forehead, tears streamed down his face. His fingers traced the contours of her face, tenderly exploring the damage.

Hannah stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. Her vision blurry, she squinted, searching for a familiar face.

"Faris," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Faris's grip on her hand tightened. "Yes, love," he replied, his voice shaking.

Tears continued to flow down his face as he stroked her cheeks, his touch gentle.

"Hannah, my love, I'm here," he murmured.

Hannah's gaze cleared, focusing on Faris's anguished face.

A faint smile crossed her lips. "Faris."
Faris's face crumpled, his body shaking with sobs. "I've got you," he whispered, gathering her into his arms.

Hannah winced, her body sore, but she clung to Faris, her arms wrapping around his neck.

"I'm sorry," Faris whispered, his lips buried in her hair.

Faris pulled back, his eyes scanning her face. "I'm sorry," Faris whispered, his voice trembling. "I wasn't there to protect you."

Hannah's eyes filled with tears as she reached up to stroke his cheek. "You're here now," she whispered back. Faris's face contorted in anguish. "If only I had been here sooner," he muttered.

Hannah's fingers traced the lines of his face. "You can't blame yourself, Faris."
"But I should have known," Faris insisted. "Should have stopped this."

Hannah's grip on his face tightened. "You can't change the past."
"But you can change our future." Faris's eyes locked onto hers.

"Together."

Hannah nodded.

"Together."

"We're leaving, now," Faris declared, his voice firm and resolute. "I won't let anyone to hurt you."

Hannah nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. Faris gently helped her sit up, her body weak and fragile.

He retrieved her shoes from the floor and knelt beside her, carefully slipping them onto her feet.