LOVE WITHOUT DESTINY

part 22

Amal shifted slightly under the covers, her head throbbing with a dull ache as she tried to pull herself out of sleep. The door creaked open suddenly, and Noah walked in with a purposeful stride, her sharp gaze fixated on Amal.

"Still in bed?" Noah said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I guess you're waiting for Zain to bring you breakfast again, aren't you?"

Amal's heart sank at the mention of his name. She quickly sat up, brushing her hair back nervously. "N-no," she stammered, her hand instinctively reaching for her temple. "I just... wasn't feeling well. That's all."

Noah raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "Feeling unwell? Or just dreaming about him again?"

Amal's throat tightened, and she lowered her gaze. She didn't know how to respond, and Noah took her silence as an opportunity to press further.

"Do you mind if I sit?" Noah asked, though she didn't wait for an answer. She moved to the chair by the window, crossing her legs gracefully. Amal watched her cautiously, the air in the room growing heavier with every passing moment.

"Look, Amal," Noah began, her voice deceptively calm. "I've been meaning to talk to you for a while now. You're from a good family. Educated. Polite. But I honestly can't understand why you're still here."

Amal's brows furrowed in confusion. "I... I don't understand. What do you mean?"

Noah leaned forward slightly, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "I mean, why are you still hanging around Zain? Surely you know that he doesn't love you, right?"

Amal's breath hitched. She looked up at Noah, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief.

Noah chuckled, her tone turning sharper. "You're surprised? Don't be. Zain is kind. He felt sorry for you, Amal. That's the only reason he married you. To save you from disgrace. But love?" She scoffed. "Don't fool yourself. That was never part of the equation."

Tears welled up in Amal's eyes, but she bit her lip, refusing to let them fall.

"Crying won't change the truth," Noah said coldly. "You've already ruined one life by trusting the wrong person. Don't ruin Zain's too. He doesn't deserve to be dragged down by your past."

Amal's silence only fueled Noah's anger. She stood up abruptly, pacing the room. "Do you even know what kind of man Zain is? He's smart, compassionate, ambitious. He deserves someone who can match his energy, someone who can be his partner in every way. And let me tell you, Amal, that person is not you."

Amal's tears finally broke free, streaming down her face as she clutched the edge of the blanket. Noah turned back to her, her eyes narrowing.

"I love Zain," she said, her voice steady and full of conviction. "And I won't let anyone take him away from me. Especially not someone who doesn't even belong in his world."

Amal's chest tightened, the weight of Noah's words crushing her spirit. But Noah wasn't done.

"You couldn't hold on to the love you thought you had," Noah said with a mocking edge. "But don't punish Zain for your mistakes. Let him go, Amal. Let me have the happiness I deserve."

Noah's voice turned sharper as she stepped closer to Amal, who sat frozen on the bed, tears threatening to spill over. "You didn't get the love you wanted, Amal," Noah said coldly. "But let me have the love I deserve. And who knows better than you what it feels like to lose love?"

Amal's breath hitched, her chest tightening as Noah walked to the sofa and sat down with a deliberate sigh. She leaned back, crossing her legs, her tone shifting to something almost calculated. "Look, Amal, I know you don't like Zain. It's obvious. So, let's make a deal."