Bound by Fate, Freed by Love

Chapter 28 The Confession

After the staycation, everyone was ready to return to their lives, but as the cars pulled away, Jennifer unexpectedly joined Samar and Mira on the drive back to the house. Samar felt the tension mounting. He needed time alone with Mira, time to sort out the confusing emotions swirling in his head, but with Jennifer tagging along, that seemed impossible.

As soon as they arrived home, Mira quickly retreated to her room, exhausted from both the trip and the emotional weight of the past few days. She threw herself onto the bed, hoping to rest and gather her thoughts, but something kept gnawing at her. The distant murmur of voices pulled her from her thoughts.

Curious, she got up and approached the window. Looking out, she saw Samar and Jennifer standing in the garden below, engaged in what seemed to be an intense conversation. Her chest tightened as she watched them, a mixture of curiosity and unease creeping over her.

From Mira's vantage point, she couldn't hear their words, but the tension between Samar and Jennifer was clear. She saw Jennifer step closer to Samar, her body language suggestive, her hand resting on his arm. Mira's heart sank further.

Down in the garden, Samar was trying to keep his distance from Jennifer, already overwhelmed by the confusing feelings he had for Mira. Jennifer had been pressing him ever since the staycation, trying to rekindle something that Samar no longer felt. He knew it was wrong—his heart wasn't in it anymore. The only person he thought about now was Mira.

Jennifer, sensing Samar's hesitation, took a bold step. She leaned in, trying to kiss him. It was a move that caught Samar off guard. For a split second, his mind went blank, but then the reality of the situation hit him. He pulled back, gently but firmly, stopping Jennifer in her tracks.

"I can't do this," Samar said softly but with finality in his voice.

Jennifer looked surprised, then hurt. She searched Samar's eyes for a reason, for an explanation, but all she found was the wall he had put up between them. "Samar... what's changed?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

But Samar didn't answer. He couldn't. How could he explain that everything had shifted the moment he realized how much Mira meant to him? That he didn't want anyone else but her?

Jennifer, sensing there was no point in pushing further, stepped back. "I see," she murmured, disappointment flickering in her eyes. She turned and walked away, leaving Samar standing there, watching her go.

Upstairs, Mira had seen the whole scene unfold from her window—but what she saw was only part of the truth. From her perspective, it looked as if Samar and Jennifer had shared a kiss, something intimate and real. She didn't see Samar pulling back, nor did she hear the words that passed between them.

Mira's heart shattered as she stepped away from the window, her mind racing. Of course they kissed, she thought bitterly. Why wouldn't they? Jennifer has always been part of Samar's life, and I'm just an inconvenience, a way to keep his family together.

She sank onto her bed, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. She had been foolish to think there was hope for her and Samar. He had made it clear from the start—this marriage wasn't real. It was for convenience. And yet, she had allowed herself to hope. To feel.

But now, all she felt was pain.

A few moments later, Samar was still outside, likely gathering his thoughts. Mira, however, wanted nothing more than to shut herself away from him. She didn't want to confront him, didn't want to hear his excuses or explanations.

As the day turned into night, Samar came inside, his mind replaying the moment with Jennifer over and over. He had done the right thing, hadn't he? He had stopped the kiss—because all he could think about was Mira.

But what he didn't know was that upstairs, Mira believed that kiss had happened. And in her mind, there was no longer any doubt—Samar would never choose her. Not when he had Jennifer, a woman who fit perfectly into his world.

And so, they both went to bed that night, their hearts heavy with misunderstandings, unaware that the truth lay somewhere between them, waiting to be revealed.

The night of the New Year's Eve event had finally arrived, and the air was filled with the excitement of celebration. Samar had brought Mira to the venue, but he felt uneasy. The entire evening felt like a ticking clock, with a moment he dreaded inching closer. He knew Roshan was going to confess his feelings for Mira tonight—Roshan had made that clear during their last conversation. Samar had agreed, thinking it was the right thing to do, but now he wasn't so sure.

Mira, on the other hand, had no idea what was happening. She had simply come along, assuming it was just another event with Saad Company employees. As they arrived, she noticed the festive decorations, the laughter of coworkers, and the sense of excitement in the air.

As the countdown to midnight drew nearer, Roshan found Mira. He smiled warmly at her, though there was a nervousness behind his eyes that she hadn't noticed before. "Mira, can we talk? There's something I need to say," Roshan said, his voice steady but serious.

Mira looked at him, slightly taken aback. "Of course," she replied, following him to a quieter corner of the event.

From a distance, Samar watched them, his heart pounding. He couldn't hear their conversation, but he knew this was it—the moment Roshan had been waiting for. He stood at a distance, feeling a strange mixture of jealousy and resignation. He had told himself that Mira and Roshan would be a good match, but his heart didn't seem to agree.

Meanwhile, Roshan, now standing with Mira in a secluded area away from the party, took a deep breath. He had rehearsed this moment in his head many times, but now that it was happening, he felt his words falter slightly. "Mira," he began, his tone soft yet filled with emotion, "I've been wanting to tell you this for a while now. I didn't expect it, but I've developed feelings for you. You're special to me, more than just a colleague or friend."

Mira froze, her mind racing. She hadn't seen this coming. Roshan had always been kind and supportive, but she had never imagined he harboured romantic feelings for her.

"I know this might be unexpected," Roshan continued, "but I couldn't go into the new year without being honest with you. I want to know if there's any chance that you could feel the same way about me."

Back at the event, Samar's eyes were locked on the two of them. He saw Roshan speaking earnestly, saw the intensity in his expression, but he couldn't make out the words. His imagination ran wild, picturing every possible outcome. What is she going to say? he wondered, his chest tightening with every passing second.

And then, as if things couldn't get worse, he saw Mira and Roshan head toward one of the private rooms at the venue. Samar's heart sank. She's going with him, he thought, the realization like a punch to the gut. She's accepting his feelings.

In his mind, it was clear now. Mira must have feelings for Roshan, or else why would she go with him in such a private way? He felt a wave of anguish and confusion wash over him. This was what he had told himself he wanted—for Mira to move on, for her to be happy with someone who could give her a real future. But the reality of it stung more than he had ever expected.

As Mira and Roshan entered the private room, Samar turned away, unable to watch any longer. He didn't want to see what came next. For the first time, he realized that the thought of Mira with anyone else hurt more than he could bear.

Inside the room, Mira stood facing Roshan, her mind spinning. She didn't know how to respond. She respected Roshan, admired him even, but her heart... her heart had always belonged to someone else, even if she hadn't wanted to admit it.

"Roshan," Mira finally said, her voice gentle, "I'm honoured by what you've said, and I appreciate your honesty. But I need you to understand something—I can't reciprocate those feelings. My heart... it's elsewhere, and it wouldn't be fair to you if I gave you false hope."

Roshan looked disappointed, but he nodded, his face filled with understanding. "I see," he said softly. "I respect that, Mira. I just needed to be honest with you, and now that I have, I can accept it. Thank you for being truthful."

Mira continued...My heart belongs to...

But what happened in that room was not what Samar thought, the things they talked about there were different!