Forgetting Sparks

Chapter 15

The next morning dawned quiet and cold, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within Layla. She lay in bed beside Omar, watching the early light filter through the curtains, casting soft shadows across his sleeping face. She traced the lines of his jaw with her eyes, feeling an ache in her chest at how peaceful he looked in this moment. But she knew that peace was fragile; with Nadia's threat hanging over them, the calm they shared felt like an illusion, poised to shatter.

Omar stirred, his eyes fluttering open, and when he saw her watching him, a sleepy smile tugged at his lips. "Good morning, beautiful."

Layla smiled back, pushing her worries aside, if only for a moment. "Good morning."

He reached for her, pulling her closer, and she sank into his embrace, grateful for the warmth of his arms around her. "Are you okay?" he murmured, sensing the tension she was holding.

She sighed, resting her head on his chest. "I'm just... thinking about last night. Nadia won't stop, Omar. She's too determined to have you, to hurt us if she can't."

Omar's arms tightened around her, his voice low and resolute. "Let her try, Layla. We'll stand up to her. I'm not letting her dictate our lives. You're all I care about, and nothing she says or does will change that."

As comforting as his words were, Layla couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her heart. "I just want this to end, Omar. I want us to have a life—one where we don't have to look over our shoulders all the time."

He kissed the top of her head, his fingers tracing gentle circles on her back. "We will, Layla. We'll find a way out of this."

Later that day, Layla decided to take a walk to clear her head. As she strolled through the park near her apartment, the cold air sharp against her skin, she let her mind wander, trying to imagine a life beyond all this chaos. She thought of a quiet, ordinary future with Omar—a small house, lazy mornings, maybe even a family. But the fantasy was short-lived. She was startled by the sudden sight of someone standing at the edge of the path, a familiar figure she never wanted to see again.

Nadia.

Layla's heart sank, her steps faltering as Nadia approached, a cruel smile on her face. "Out for a little fresh air?" Nadia asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Layla straightened, summoning all her courage. "What do you want, Nadia?"

Nadia's smile widened, her eyes glinting with malice. "I wanted a chance to remind you just how out of your league you are. You really think you and Omar have a future? After everything my family has done for him?"

Layla's anger flared. "Your family didn't help him—they trapped him. And whatever you think you're going to accomplish, it's not going to work. Omar loves me. He chose me."

Nadia's smile faltered, and for a moment, Layla saw a flash of something raw and bitter beneath her confident facade. But then Nadia's expression hardened, her voice dripping with venom. "You think love is enough? Omar may be with you now, but loyalty is something else entirely. People always return to where they started, and Omar knows he owes my family."

Layla held her ground, refusing to let Nadia see her fear. "He doesn't owe you anything. He's done with you and your father's games."

Nadia let out a cold laugh. "Then I suppose we'll see how long this little fairytale of yours lasts. Because I'm not going anywhere, Layla. And believe me, I'm not above using whatever means necessary to make him realize where he truly belongs."

With that, Nadia turned and walked away, leaving Layla standing in the cold, anger and fear mingling in her chest. She knew that Nadia's threats weren't empty, and as much as she trusted Omar, the doubt Nadia had planted lingered, a dark shadow she couldn't shake.

That evening, Layla confided in Omar, recounting the tense encounter in the park. He listened, his expression darkening with every word.

"She's desperate," he said, his voice edged with anger. "She knows she's lost, so she's trying to scare you."

Layla's voice wavered, the tension from the day finally breaking through. "But what if she's right, Omar? What if... what if there's a part of you that feels obligated to her, to her family?"

Omar took her hands, his gaze intense and unwavering. "Layla, listen to me. Nadia and her family have tried to control my life for years. I know it might seem like they have a hold on me, but you're the one I chose. You're the one I love."

She felt tears prick her eyes, her heart aching with a mixture of love and fear. "I know that, Omar. But I'm scared. I'm scared of what she'll do, of how far she's willing to go."

He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her tightly. "Then let her try. Whatever she throws at us, we'll face it together. I won't let her ruin what we have."

They stayed like that for a while, holding each other in the quiet of her apartment, the weight of their love and the challenges ahead pressing down on them. Layla knew they were fighting an uphill battle, but as long as they had each other, she felt a glimmer of hope.

But Nadia wasn't done. The following day, Layla received a message on her phone—a series of photos showing Omar and Nadia together, some from years ago, others more recent. In one, they were laughing together; in another, he had his arm around her. Layla's heart twisted, a sick feeling rising in her stomach. It was like Nadia had opened a window into a part of Omar's life that she'd never seen, a time when he was close to the one person who now seemed intent on destroying them.

Before she could even process the photos, her phone buzzed again. It was a text from Nadia: Just a reminder of who Omar really belongs with. Do you think he'll choose you when he sees how easily I can step back into his life?

Layla's hands shook as she read the message. The images weren't proof of anything in the present, but they served as a painful reminder of Nadia's presence, her connection to a past that was still haunting them. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to take deep breaths, to block out Nadia's cruel words. But the doubts lingered, whispering insidiously in her mind.

When Omar arrived that evening, she showed him the photos, her voice barely above a whisper. "She's not going to stop, is she?"

Omar's face turned pale as he looked at the images, anger flashing in his eyes. "Layla, these photos mean nothing. They're from a time before you and I were even together."

"I know," she whispered, her voice strained. "But she's trying to make me doubt you, to make me question everything."

Omar reached out, cupping her face in his hands. "Then don't let her win, Layla. She's trying to manipulate you, to make you feel like there's something between us that isn't real. But there's nothing—nothing between Nadia and me. You're the one I want. You're the one I love."

Tears slipped down her cheeks, but she nodded, feeling the strength in his words, the warmth in his touch. She knew he was telling the truth, but the constant pressure, the relentless tactics Nadia was using, were taking their toll.

As he pulled her into his arms, she felt a renewed sense of resolve. Nadia could try every trick in the book, but she wasn't going to let her fear tear them apart. She loved Omar, and she was willing to fight for him—for them.

"I'm not giving up," she murmured into his shoulder, her voice filled with quiet determination. "No matter what Nadia throws at us, I'm not letting her win."

Omar held her tighter, his voice a soft promise. "And I'll be right here with you, Layla. Always."

In that moment, their bond felt unbreakable. Despite everything Nadia had done, Layla knew that her love for Omar was stronger than any threat, any shadow of the past. And together, they would face whatever lay ahead.