In the Heart of Darkness

Chapter 37: Secrets

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Zara walked into the house, her heart heavy, her mind reeling from the day's events. Each step felt like she was dragging a mountain behind her. The betrayal, the lies, the impossible choice she had to make-it all swirled in her head, making her feel like she was drowning in a sea of confusion and guilt.

Nancy, who had been waiting eagerly for Zara's return, rushed to her side the moment she saw her enter. "Zara! Oh my God, where have you been? Everyone was so worried! You look... you look pale, are you alright?"

Zara barely registered Nancy's words. She walked past her, her body moving like a lifeless puppet. She felt numb, utterly detached from everything around her. Her mind was trapped in the memory of Isabella's sinister smile, the weight of the impossible decision she was forced to make still pressing down on her chest.

"Zara? Zara, talk to me!" Nancy's voice was laced with panic as she grabbed Zara's arm, trying to get her attention. "What happened? Please, say something!"

Zara blinked, her gaze distant. "I... I'm fine, Nancy," she muttered, though her voice sounded hollow, devoid of emotion. She barely made it to the couch before collapsing onto it, staring blankly at the floor. Her entire world had turned upside down.

Nancy's worry deepened. Something was seriously wrong. Zara had never been like this before. Grabbing her phone, Nancy quickly called Ibrahim, her fingers trembling as she dialed.

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Ibrahim was in the middle of a meeting, his mind split between his work and his worry over Zara. His patience was running thin-he had spent the last few hours frantically searching for any sign of her, but there had been nothing. The thought of something happening to her gnawed at him like a festering wound. His fists clenched on the table, his jaw tight with tension as he tried to focus on the words of his clients, but every second that passed only made his anxiety worse.

When his phone rang, and Nancy's name flashed on the screen, his heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, he answered. "Nancy? What is it?"

"Sir," Nancy's voice was frantic, "Zara's home, but... something's wrong. She's not herself. She looks devastated. She won't say anything. I'm really worried."

Ibrahim's blood ran cold. He shot up from his chair, knocking it over in his haste. "I'll be there in five minutes. Keep an eye on her," he ordered before ending the call abruptly.

The room fell silent as he stormed out, his mind racing with fear and anger. What had happened to Zara? Where she was?

Ibrahim's car screeched to a halt outside the house. He jumped out, not even bothering to close the door behind him as he rushed inside. His eyes scanned the room, and then he saw her. Sitting by the pool, Zara looked like a fragile, broken doll-her face pale, her body slumped, her eyes empty.

Without a second thought, he hurried to her side and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "Zara," he breathed, his voice shaking with both relief and fear. "Thank God you're okay."

She didn't respond, didn't move. She sat there stiffly, barely aware of his presence. The silence was deafening, and the tension between them grew heavy. He gently stroked her hair, trying to calm her, but all he felt was her cold distance.

"Zara," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Please, talk to me. What happened? Where were you?"

Zara blinked, her breath shaky, her mind still spinning from everything Isabella had revealed. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a storm of emotions she couldn't contain any longer.