In the Heart of Darkness

Chapter 39: Tangled Desires

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Zara sat on the edge of the bed, staring into the darkness, her heart heavy with dread. The weight of everything-the lies, the spying, the looming threat of destruction-felt suffocating. She wished, for just a moment, that all of this would disappear. That it was nothing more than a nightmare she could wake from.

But deep down, she knew better. The mafia world was real, and it was closing in around her, around Ibrahim. And worst of all, she was stuck in the middle, betraying the man she loved to save him.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden buzz of her phone. She glanced at the screen, her stomach tightening as she saw the name flash: Ayesha❤️, who is now Isabella.

Her heart sank seeing the caller ID, the person on the other end wasn't her best friend anymore. The girl who laughed with her, shared secrets, and supported her through every phase of life was gone. Isabella had replaced her, a woman filled with vengeance, using Zara to exact revenge on Ibrahim.

Zara's hands trembled as she reluctantly answered the call.

"What the hell is taking you so long?" Isabella's voice shrieked through the speaker, sharp and venomous. "I've been waiting for days, and you haven't gathered a single piece of evidence. I have told you I don't want violence I just want peace but If you're planning to betray me, Zara, I swear you will see your husband's dead body by the end of today."

The call ended with a harsh click, leaving Zara frozen in fear. Her breath hitched, her heart raced. Panic surged through her veins. "What am I going to do?"

Ibrahim was always so careful, never leaving a trail she could trace. She didn't have any evidence to give Isabella, and now the threat was real. Isabella would kill him if she didn't do something.

Pacing the room, Zara's mind raced with fear and indecision. She was caught between two impossible choices-betray Ibrahim or risk losing him forever. Her hands gripped her phone tightly, her knuckles white from the tension. Desperation clawed at her as she realized she had no way out.

She hesitated before dialing Ibrahim's number, her heart pounding with each ring. When he answered, his deep voice filled her with a small sense of comfort.

"Zara, is everything okay?"

"Ibrahim..." Her voice wavered, barely above a whisper. "Can you come home? I'm not feeling well."

There was a long pause on the other end. She could hear the hesitation in his breath, knowing how busy he was. "Zara, I have so much work today, but..." His voice softened. "I'll come. Don't worry."

Tears welled in Zara's eyes as she hung up the phone. She didn't deserve his kindness, his worry. She was betraying him, and yet he was willing to drop everything to be by her side. Guilt gnawed at her, but she couldn't stop herself from needing him in that moment.

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When Ibrahim arrived home, the worry was etched all over his face. He rushed to her side, his hand immediately going to her forehead to check for a fever. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" His concern was palpable, his eyes scanning her as if searching for any sign of illness.

"I'm just... I'm just scared of being alone," Zara said, her voice barely holding together. She couldn't meet his gaze, too afraid he would see the guilt in her eyes.

Ibrahim noticed her trembling and gently led her to the bed. "You need rest. You've been so stressed lately."

He helped her lie down, his fingers brushing her hair away from her face tenderly. Zara's heart clenched as she looked at him, the man who was always there for her despite everything. How could she betray him?