In the Heart of Darkness

Chapter 33: Broken Hearts

Zara lay curled up on the bed, her body drained of energy and her heart hollow. She stared blankly at the ceiling, tears slipping silently from her eyes, pooling in her hair. The weight of Ibrahim's revelations crushed her, leaving her breathless and fragile.

Each sob felt like a shard of glass cutting through her chest. Everything she had believed in, everything she had given herself to, had turned into a painful lie. She couldn't face anyone, not even herself. She had no strength left to fight, to care, or to feel anything but the cold emptiness inside her.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. It was Nancy.

"Zara? Are you okay? You've been in there for hours. I brought you some tea," Nancy's voice was warm, laced with her usual kindness. She knocked again gently. "Zara, can I come in?"

Zara didn't answer, her hands trembling as she pulled the blanket tighter around her. Everyone was a liar, a betrayer. How could Nancy, her only friend in this house, be part of this too? The betrayal cut deep, and she couldn't hold back anymore. Rage bubbled beneath her sadness, and before she could stop herself, she spoke, her voice rough and accusing.

"Nancy please go away. I don't want to see you. How could you do this to me, Nancy?"

The words startled Nancy, and she hesitated before slowly opening the door. She stepped inside, her eyes filled with concern. "What are you talking about, Zara? What did I do?"

Zara sat up on the bed, her face streaked with tears. "You stabbed me too," she spat, her voice full of venom. "I thought you were my friend! But you teamed up with Ibrahim. You lied to me, didn't you?

Nancy frowned, completely baffled. "Zara, what? I don't understand. What do you mean I lied to you?"

"Don't act innocent!" Zara cried, her voice breaking. "You gave me the contraception pills on Ibrahim's orders, didn't you? How could you do that to me without telling me? I trusted you, Nancy! You knew everything about us but still you do that"

Nancy's eyes widened in shock, her hands trembling as she placed the tray on the nearby table. "What?" she asked, her voice shaking. "Contraception pills? How could you even think about me like this? Is that what you think I would give you?"

Zara's voice turned bitter. "Don't lie to me anymore, Nancy. Just admit it."

Nancy's face paled as she took a deep breath, trying to understand what had gone so horribly wrong. "Zara, I swear, I had no idea what are you talking about. I just gave you one pill ever that too was a painkiller."

Zara's frown deepened, confusion starting to creep in. "What do you mean you didn't know? Didn't Ibrahim ask you to give me contraceptive pills?"

Nancy took a step back, her expression shifting from confusion to something deeper. "WHAT?? I thought they were just painkillers. I... I didn't know I was supposed to give you those pills!" she continued with trembling voice. "Zara, I swear to you, I never gave you contraception pills." She paused, recalling something.

"Wait... that morning, Sir asked me to give you a pill. But it wasn't in a package; it was just a pill. I didn't know what it was. I put it on the tray, but while I was getting the toast ready, the tray slipped, and the pill fell into the sink."

Zara's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? You didn't give it to me?"

Nancy shook her head. "No, I was scared to tell Sir I dropped it. I assumed he wanted me to give you something for your pain from your first night, like a painkiller. So I gave you one from the medicine box instead."

Zara's heart raced as hope bloomed in the pit of her stomach. "So... you didn't give me the contraception pill? You gave me a painkiller instead?"

Nancy nodded. "Yes, but please don't let Sir know. He'd kill me if he knew I messed up his instructions."