Forgetting Sparks

Chapter 6

**Chapter Six**

The days following her confrontation with Nadia were a blur of conflicting emotions. Layla wanted to trust Omar, wanted to believe in the life they could build together, but Nadia's haunting words lingered in her mind like an unshakable shadow. She spent her days trying to focus on work, her evenings with Ranya, who did her best to reassure her that walking away had been the right choice.

But even as she tried to put distance between herself and Omar, her heart wouldn't let her forget the way he'd looked at her, the quiet vulnerability he rarely showed. He was tangled in something dark, something she wasn't sure she could handle, but the pull between them was undeniable.

One evening, as she sat at home trying to distract herself with a book, her phone buzzed. It was Omar.

**"Layla, please. I can't do this without you. I need to see you, just one more time. Meet me at the park? I promise, it'll be worth it."**

She stared at the message, her heart pounding. She knew she should ignore it. She'd promised herself she wouldn't get pulled back into his mess. But her heart betrayed her, and before she knew it, she was grabbing her coat and heading out the door.

---

The park was quiet, the air cool as the last traces of sunlight disappeared behind the trees. She spotted Omar standing near the bench they'd shared all those years ago, his hands shoved into his pockets, his expression serious. He looked up when he heard her footsteps, his eyes softening as they met hers.

"Thank you for coming," he said, his voice a mix of relief and something deeper.

Layla took a step back, keeping her distance. "Omar, if you're just going to give me more empty promises—"

He cut her off, his gaze intense. "Layla, listen to me. I know I've put you through a lot, and I don't deserve your trust. But I want you to know the truth."

She crossed her arms, watching him carefully. "Then tell me. No more secrets."

He took a deep breath, glancing down for a moment as if gathering the courage to finally open up. "After I left, I got involved in some things I shouldn't have. Nadia... she wasn't just a girlfriend. She was part of a crowd that I thought I could handle, people who could get me the money I needed when my mom was sick and our family was desperate."

Layla felt a pang of sympathy despite herself. She'd known about his mother's illness but hadn't realized just how desperate things had gotten. "So you took their help... and now you're stuck?"

Omar nodded, guilt written all over his face. "I thought I could pay them back and walk away, but with people like Nadia, there's always a catch. She made it clear that if I tried to move on... if I tried to leave her... she'd make things difficult. And when she found out I was back here, with you..."

Layla's heart ached at the depth of his struggle, but fear twisted within her. "Omar, you're telling me she's dangerous. You're telling me she's capable of... hurting people."

"She's more than capable," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But that's why I wanted to meet you tonight. I'm done letting her control me. I've decided to confront her, to tell her I'm not backing down anymore."

Layla's eyes widened in alarm. "Omar, are you insane? If she's as dangerous as you say, what makes you think she'll just let you go?"

Omar reached out, taking her hand gently. "Because I have something worth fighting for now. I let you slip through my fingers once, and I'm not making that mistake again."

His words sent a shiver down her spine, but she couldn't ignore the fear creeping into her heart. "Omar, I can't let you do this alone. What if something happens to you?"

He squeezed her hand, his expression softening. "You don't need to worry about me. I've handled people like Nadia before. I just need you to trust me."

But as much as she wanted to believe him, an unshakable dread gnawed at her. "I don't want you to get hurt, Omar."

He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. She let herself lean into him, feeling the familiar warmth and strength she'd missed so much. For a moment, it felt like they were back in the days when life was simple, when all they had to worry about was each other.

But reality came crashing back when she heard footsteps behind them. She pulled away, turning to see Nadia approaching, her eyes cold and calculating as they met Layla's.

"Well, well," Nadia said with a smirk. "Isn't this a cozy little reunion?"

Omar stepped protectively in front of Layla, his voice firm. "Nadia, I told you—this is over. I'm not yours to control anymore."

Nadia's smile only grew more dangerous. "Is that so, Omar? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're forgetting who you owe."

He took a step forward, his voice low and steady. "I don't owe you anything, Nadia. Whatever you think we had, it's over. And I'm not going to let you drag Layla into your mess."

Nadia's gaze flickered with something dark, her voice like ice. "You think you can just walk away from me? After everything we've been through?"

Layla felt a chill run down her spine as Nadia's gaze turned to her, sharp and hostile. "And you," she sneered. "You really think he's worth it? This man who abandoned you once, who left you for a life you know nothing about?"

Layla swallowed, summoning her courage. "Omar might have made mistakes, but at least he's trying to make things right. Something you seem incapable of."

Nadia's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Layla thought she saw a flash of genuine anger beneath her composed exterior. But then Nadia's face relaxed into a mocking smile. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, little girl."

Omar stepped between them, his voice cold. "Enough, Nadia. Layla has nothing to do with this."

Nadia tilted her head, amusement flickering in her gaze. "Oh, but she does, Omar. You brought her into this the moment you chose her over me."

Omar clenched his fists, but he stayed calm. "Leave her alone, Nadia. I'm not afraid of you."

Nadia laughed, an eerie sound that made Layla's skin crawl. "Oh, you should be, Omar. You should be very afraid."

With one last icy glance, Nadia turned and walked away, leaving an ominous silence in her wake. Layla watched her go, her heart pounding, feeling as if she'd just escaped something far worse than she could understand.

Omar turned to her, his face full of concern. "Are you okay?"

She nodded slowly, still shaken. "Omar, this is serious. She won't just let you go. We both know that."

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know, but I can't keep living like this. I can't let her control my life anymore. I want to be free... for us."

Layla looked into his eyes, seeing the determination there, but also the vulnerability. She reached out, placing a hand on his cheek. "Then let me help you. We'll face her together."

He shook his head, his voice soft. "I can't ask you to do that, Layla. She's too dangerous."

She held his gaze, her heart full of resolve. "You don't have to ask, Omar. I'm here because I want to be. We'll face whatever comes... together."

For the first time, Omar allowed a small, hopeful smile to break through his hardened exterior. He took her hand in his, their fingers intertwining, and for a brief moment, the world felt right again.

But in the back of her mind, Layla knew that this was only the beginning of a battle far more dangerous than either of them had ever imagined. And as they stood together, united against an unseen enemy, she couldn't help but wonder what price they would ultimately pay for their love.