𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧 [PAUSED]

8. Tangled Alliances

Once we reached the room, i carefully set her down on the bed, my brow furrowed in frustration. “You really need to be careful,” i scolded, my eyes narrowed as I examined her foot. “If you keep this up, I might have to make it my mission to keep you out of trouble.”

Sarah bit back a smile. “Good luck with that. You’d need more than a miracle to keep me in line.”

I rolled my eyes but forbid myself from suppressing a smirk tugging in the corner of my lips. “I can’t believe we’re stuck in this arrangement. I didn’t sign up for babysitting duty.” I knew she knew about it so there was no need of play fool around.

Flashback—

I sat in the resort room, feeling the weight of expectation pressing down on me like a leaden shroud. Hira and Imad's wedding was in full swing outside, but the laughter and music felt miles away. Instead, I was trapped in a conversation I never wanted to have, surrounded by the people I loved yet felt the farthest from.

My mother, elegant and unwavering, perched on the edge of the sofa, her expression a mix of hope and determination. Next to her sat Sayyid, my younger brother, his signature cocky grin plastered across his face as he scrolled through his phone, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in the air.

“Saad,” my mother started, her voice steady yet gentle. “I know you’ve been focused on your career, but it’s time to think about your future.”

I leaned back against the plush couch, crossing my arms defensively. “I have a future, Mom. It’s called my company. I don’t need distractions.” My tone was sharper than I intended, but the thought of being tethered to someone else made my stomach churn.

“Distractions? Marriage isn’t a distraction, it’s a partnership,” she countered, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if she were trying to read my mind. “And it’s time you had someone by your side who can balance you out.”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “You mean someone to put up with my mood swings? Who could possibly do that? No one even knows how to deal with me.”

“Exactly! That’s why I’ve thought of Sarah,” she said, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

“Sarah?” I snapped, incredulity flooding my voice. “You mean the cool, sarcastic girl who’s the complete opposite of me? Do you really think that would work? She’s too…too everything I’m not!”

Sayyid finally looked up from his phone, amusement dancing in his eyes. “What’s wrong with a little spice, big bro? You need someone who can handle your grumpiness. Sarah’s perfect for that.”