Forgetting Sparks

Chapter 19

Layla's stomach dropped as she stared at the message on Omar's phone. The blurry photo of them outside the lawyer's office was unsettling enough, but the words beneath it sent a chill down her spine: Tick tock.

Omar sat up beside her, his jaw tightening as he read the message. He didn't say anything for a moment, the tension radiating off him in waves. Layla reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "Omar... this is escalating. She's watching us. This isn't just harassment anymore—it's a threat."

He nodded, his expression hardening. "I know. And I've had enough."

Omar immediately called his lawyer, explaining the situation. Mr. Hassan's voice was firm on the other end. "This changes things. We'll escalate this to the authorities. Keep that message and photo—it's evidence of stalking."

After ending the call, Omar turned to Layla, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and worry. "We're not letting her intimidate us, Layla. But you need to be extra careful now. Don't go anywhere alone, okay?"

Layla nodded, though the pit in her stomach didn't ease.

The next day, Omar and Layla visited the police station to report the message. The officers took their statement seriously, promising to investigate and enhance their legal case against Nadia. While it was reassuring, Layla couldn't shake the feeling that Nadia was always one step ahead.

Later, they met with Mariam at a quiet café to update her. Mariam listened intently, her brow furrowed in concern. "This is insane," she said, gripping her coffee cup tightly. "She's obsessed, Layla. People like Nadia don't just stop until they're forced to."

Omar's phone buzzed again, interrupting the conversation. He glanced at the screen and sighed. "It's my lawyer."

He stepped outside to take the call, leaving Layla and Mariam alone.

Mariam leaned in, lowering her voice. "Are you okay, Layla? Really?"

Layla sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know, Mariam. I feel like every time we make progress, Nadia pulls something new. It's exhausting. But I can't let her win. I won't."

Mariam reached across the table, squeezing her hand. "You're stronger than you think. And you have Omar. He's not going to let anything happen to you."

Layla managed a small smile. "I know. But sometimes, I wonder if we'll ever really be free of her."

Before Mariam could respond, Omar returned, his expression grim. "That was Hassan. He says Nadia's father might be trying to suppress evidence in our case. They're pulling strings."

Mariam cursed under her breath. "Of course they are. Money and power—people like them always think they're untouchable."

Omar sat down, his hands clenching into fists. "I'm not letting them bury this. I don't care how long it takes—we're going to expose them."

Layla reached for his hand, her touch grounding him. "We'll fight them together, Omar. They can't keep this up forever."

That night, Layla tried to distract herself by organizing her art supplies. Painting had always been her escape, a way to channel her emotions. As she worked on a canvas, Omar appeared in the doorway, watching her with an intensity that made her pause.

"Hey," she said softly, setting down her brush. "What's on your mind?"

He walked over, his gaze never leaving hers. "You," he said simply.

Layla felt her cheeks warm. "Me?"

Omar sat beside her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I've been thinking about everything we've been through. Everything Nadia's done to try to break us. And no matter how hard it gets, I keep coming back to one thing—I love you, Layla."

Her breath caught in her throat as his words sank in. "Omar..."

He took her hands in his, his voice steady and full of emotion. "You're the reason I keep fighting. You're my home, Layla. And no matter what Nadia throws at us, I'll never let her take you away from me."

Tears welled in her eyes as she leaned into him, their foreheads touching. "I love you too, Omar. More than anything."

Their lips met in a slow, passionate kiss, and for a moment, the chaos of their lives melted away. In his arms, Layla felt safe—like they could face anything together.

But Nadia wasn't done.

The next morning, a delivery arrived at Omar's apartment. Layla opened the package, her heart sinking as she pulled out its contents.

It was a stack of photos—intimate moments of Omar and Layla from the past few months. Some were taken from a distance, others uncomfortably close. A chill ran down her spine as she realized just how closely Nadia had been watching them.

At the bottom of the stack was a single note in Nadia's sharp handwriting:
Are you tired yet? I'm just getting started.

Layla felt her hands tremble as she showed the photos to Omar. His face darkened, a mix of fury and protectiveness flashing in his eyes.

"This ends now," he said, his voice low and resolute. "I'm not letting her invade our lives like this anymore."

"What are we going to do?" Layla asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Omar wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. "We're going to fight back, Layla. No more running, no more reacting. This time, we take control."

And as he held her, Layla knew they were gearing up for the final battle against Nadia—a fight that would test their love, their resilience, and their will to stand together no matter what.