The Price Of Betrayal

CHAPTER TEN : A mask Slip

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, signaling the start of a new chapter for Alina. Today was a pivotal day—a day that would bring her one step closer to uncovering the full truth and finally finding peace. She bid her parents farewell, her heart heavy but determined. "Good luck, my dear," her father said, his voice full of encouragement. "We are proud of you." Alina nodded, giving them a warm smile before heading out. It didn’t take long to reach Rizwan's place. When she arrived, she was greeted only by Rizwan's mother, Zeenat. "Oh, he went out not too long ago," Zeenat said, a smile tugging at her lips. "But you can wait for him in the living room. I'm in the kitchen if you need anything." "Okay, thank you," Alina replied politely, her mind already racing with what was to come. She knew this would be the moment to confront Zeenat, to finally expose the dark secrets that had plagued her life. A few minutes later, Alina found herself in the kitchen. Taking a deep breath, she approached Zeenat. "Do you know Khadija Hassan?" she asked calmly, her voice steady but tinged with an edge of expectation. Zeenat looked up from her cooking, her face momentarily freezing. "Yes, I do. She’s my only sister," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But how do you know her?" Alina’s heart raced. She held Zeenat’s gaze. "I know her because she’s my mother," she said, her smile both sad and triumphant. Zeenat’s face twisted with disbelief. "No, it’s not possible. Her daughter... she also passed away." Alina’s voice hardened. "Why do you find it so difficult to believe that I’m your only sister's daughter?" The words hit Zeenat like a slap in the face. Her composure began to crack, and Alina continued to provoke her, pushing her to the edge until Zeenat’s mask of calm shattered completely.

Fine!" Zeenat finally shouted, throwing her hands up in frustration. "I did it! I’m the one who killed your mother!" She paused, as if weighing her next words. "I dare you to expose me. Do it, and see what happens." Alina stood tall, her eyes burning with determination. "I will expose you, Zeenat. I swear I will." Zeenat’s eyes flashed with fury. She burst into a loud, mocking laugh. "No one knows my secret, and no one will live to tell it," she sneered. "You’ll die by my hand this time. I’ll make sure of it." As she spoke, the front door opened, and to Zeenat’s surprise, the entire Hassan family stood in the doorway—Alina’s biological father, her adoptive parents, and Rizwan. Their arrival seemed to freeze Zeenat in place, and the room fell deathly silent. Seeing them all there, Zeenat’s face crumbled. Her confidence vanished, and she sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Please," she begged, her voice breaking. "I’m sorry. I was blinded by jealousy. Please forgive me." Rizwan stepped forward, his face twisted in disgust. "Why, mother? Why did you do this?" Zeenat looked up at him, her eyes red from crying. "I did it all for love," she said, her voice hollow. "I loved Mr. Hassan before he married my sister. I couldn’t stand seeing them together. So I created every rift I could, hoping one day Khadija would leave him. But that never happened. When Alina finished her WAEC exams, my sister told me about her pregnancy, and I saw the bond between her and Mr. Hassan grow stronger. That was when I decided to act." She paused, her hands shaking as she wiped her tears. "One day, Khadija came to visit me. I cooked for her, but I laced the food with contraceptive pills, intending to keep her from having a child.

And for Alina... I wanted to erase any trace of my sister from Mr. Hassan’s life. That’s why I planned to kill her. I wanted to get rid of the reminder of my sister. I wanted her out of the picture." Alina stood frozen, her heart shattering at the confession. Every lie, every betrayal—this was the truth she had been searching for all along. Inspector!" Rizwan shouted, his voice trembling with anger. "Arrest her, please. I’m ashamed to call you my mother." At Rizwan’s command, the police moved swiftly, handcuffing Zeenat and taking her away. The weight of her crimes had finally caught up with her. Later that day, Alina stood with her biological father, her adoptive parents, and Rizwan. She introduced her father to the family she had grown up with, and despite the dark events of the past, there was a sense of peace settling in her heart. She was finally surrounded by the people who truly cared for her—those who loved her without any ulterior motives. Weeks passed, and life slowly began to settle into a new normal. The pain of the past remained, but Alina was determined to move forward. It wasn’t long before Amir, who had always stood by her side, took her hand in his. "Alina," Amir said one evening, his voice soft but filled with love, "I’ve never stopped thinking about you. I know the road has been hard for both of us, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Tears welled in Alina’s eyes as she smiled, her heart overwhelmed with emotion. "I want that too," she whispered. Amir knelt down before her, pulling out a small box. "Will you marry me?" With a heart full of love and hope for the future, Alina nodded. "Yes, Amir. Yes." Their wedding came a month later in a ceremony filled with laughter, love, and the promise of a brighter future.

The confrontation marked the beginning of the end for Zeenat. Armed with the evidence they’d gathered, Alina and her father, Hassan, took her to court. Zeenat was convicted of multiple crimes, including culpable homicide and conspiracy. The trial became a public spectacle, and her web of lies unraveled for all to see. Rizwan, devastated by the betrayal, cut ties with his mother and sought solace in Alina and Amir’s friendship. Over time, he became an advocate for victims of family betrayal, channeling his pain into something meaningful. Alina, having faced her demons, reconciled with her father. Their relationship, though scarred, grew stronger as they leaned on each other for support. Amir stood by her side through it all, their bond deepening into a love that neither had anticipated but both cherished. Months later, at a quiet family dinner, Hassan raised a toast. "To Alina," he said, his voice filled with pride. "For her strength, her courage, and her determination to seek the truth. And to new beginnings for all of us." As they clinked glasses, Alina smiled, a weight lifted from her shoulders. Her journey had been one of pain and loss, but it had also been one of resilience and hope. She was finally free.

We have come to the end of Alina story, she came , she saw and conquer
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