Forgetting Sparks

Chapter 20

The weight of Nadia's latest threat hung heavy in the air. Layla couldn't focus on anything else—not the soft hum of the city outside the window, not even Omar's reassuring presence by her side. The photos she'd found in the package sat on the table like a grim reminder that they were still caught in Nadia's twisted game.

Omar, however, was a man on a mission. He paced the living room, phone in hand, calling in every favor and contact he had. His determination was a sight to behold, and even though the situation was dire, Layla couldn't help but feel awed by his charisma and drive.

"Rami," Omar said into the phone, his voice steady but firm. "I need you to dig into Nadia's finances. I know she's hiding something—something that'll turn this whole thing on its head."

Layla tilted her head. "Her finances?"

Omar hung up and turned to her, his jaw set. "People like Nadia don't operate alone. She's been pulling strings, and I'm betting she's left a trail. If we can find it, we can stop her for good."

The breakthrough came sooner than either of them expected. Rami, Omar's old college friend turned cybersecurity expert, delivered the news that evening.

"She's been funneling money from her father's company into a personal account," Rami said over a video call. "And get this—she's been using it to pay off people involved in framing you, Omar. Witnesses, a fake investigator—it's all connected."

Layla gasped. "You mean we can prove she's been bribing people?"

Rami nodded. "Not just that. I've already compiled the evidence and sent it to your lawyer. This could blow her entire case wide open."

Omar leaned back, a rare smile breaking through his otherwise serious demeanor. "This is it. This is what we needed."

But Rami's voice turned serious. "Be careful, though. She's going to know the walls are closing in. People like Nadia don't go down without a fight."

True to Rami's warning, the next day brought another twist. Omar and Layla arrived at his lawyer's office to discuss their next steps, only to be met by an unexpected visitor: Nadia herself.

She stood in the lobby, her expression smug despite the crumbling facade of control.

"Well, well," she said, her tone dripping with venom. "Here to celebrate your little 'victory'? Don't get too comfortable. This isn't over."

Omar stepped forward, his presence commanding. "Actually, Nadia, it is. We have everything we need to expose you—your lies, your bribes, everything. You've lost."

For a moment, her mask slipped. Her eyes flickered with panic before she quickly recovered, forcing a laugh. "You think this is over because of some emails? You're still the villain in everyone's eyes, Omar. No one will believe you."

Layla stepped beside him, her voice calm but firm. "You're wrong, Nadia. People will believe the truth. And once everything comes out, you'll have no one to blame but yourself."

Nadia's composure cracked just slightly, but she didn't back down. "We'll see about that." She turned on her heel and stormed out, leaving a trail of tension in her wake.

That evening, Omar and Layla sat on the balcony of his apartment, the city lights stretching out before them. For the first time in weeks, there was a sense of hope in the air.

Omar poured two glasses of wine, handing one to Layla. "To us," he said, his voice soft.

"To us," she echoed, clinking her glass against his.

As they sipped their drinks, Layla leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his arm around her. "Do you think this is really the beginning of the end?"

He pressed a kiss to her temple. "I do. But no matter what happens next, Layla, we'll face it together."

She turned to look at him, her heart swelling with love and admiration. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Omar."

"You'll never have to find out," he said, his voice laced with conviction.

And as the stars twinkled above them, Layla felt, for the first time in a long time, that they were finally on the verge of reclaiming their lives.

But just as they were beginning to breathe easier, Omar's phone buzzed with an unexpected call. It was his lawyer, and his tone was urgent.

"There's been a development," Hassan said. "You'll want to come in tomorrow. Nadia's making her move."

Omar frowned. "What kind of move?"

Hassan hesitated. "She's trying to pin something bigger on you—something criminal. Be prepared. It's about to get messy."

Layla looked at Omar, her earlier hope fading into worry. They had come so far, but Nadia wasn't done yet. The final battle was about to begin, and they'd need every ounce of strength to see it through.