LOVE WITHOUT DESTINY

part 34

The next morning was quieter than usual. In her room, Noah stood amidst packed suitcases, her hands still as they held the last item she hadn't yet placed inside-a framed picture of Zain. It had rested on her bedside table for a year, witnessing every silent prayer, every whispered hope she never dared voice aloud.

She stared at the photograph, her eyes hollow yet burning. Then, with a deep, unsteady breath, she gently tucked it inside her suitcase and closed the lid. Her heart felt heavier than the bags she was leaving behind.

As she opened the door, a house servant stood outside, waiting to assist. He quietly picked up her luggage, and she followed him down the stairs with slow, almost reluctant steps.

Downstairs, the living room was filled with farewells. Shanaya and Arzel were sharing emotional hugs with Zain and Amal, both couples exchanging warm goodbyes. The car outside was ready. Zain and Amal were going to escort Arzel and Shanaya to the airport.

Just then, Noah reached the last step and walked toward them. Her eyes searched only for one person. Zain.

She walked up to him and said quietly, "Zain... can I talk to you for a moment?"

Zain turned toward her, slightly confused but calm. "Hmm. Sure. Go ahead."

"No... not here. I need to talk to you... alone," she said, her voice almost a whisper, yet laced with urgency.

There was a pause-short, sharp.

Zain glanced instinctively at Amal. A thousand unsaid things passed between them in a single look. Amal gave a small nod. It was all it took.

Zain stepped aside. Noah followed him silently into the hallway, far enough for no one to hear.

When they stopped, she turned to face him. Her eyes were swollen but defiant. She opened her mouth, but no words came.

Then-she broke.

She lunged forward and threw her arms around him.

Zain stiffened instantly. His fists clenched, his jaw tightened. He didn't hug her back. He couldn't. After a few seconds, he firmly pushed her away.

Tears welled in Noah's eyes as she looked up at him with a pleading expression. "Zain, please... stop me. Don't let me go. Only you can stop me... I don't want to leave."

Zain exhaled slowly, steadying his voice. "Noah... relax. I know you probably wanted to spend more time here, maybe see the city, go places-"

"No," she interrupted sharply. "It's not about the city. I don't want to leave you. I want to stay with you, Zain. I can't go... not away from you."

Zain's eyes dropped to the ground, then rose again, more resolute this time. "Noah... I'm a married man. And I'm married to the woman who is my entire world. The woman I love more than anything-"
His words cut through the air like a blade. From a distance, Amal heard it all. Her breath hitched, heart pounding in her chest. She looked at Zain, eyes wide, stunned by his confession.

Noah's face twisted in pain. Her voice shook.
"You don't know how deeply that hurts me, Zain... how much every word of yours bleeds into me."

Zain's tone deepened __ low and stern."For God's sake, Noah," Just stop it. He snapped, stepping back. "Love is not something you force on someone. It's not something that grows out of desperation!"

Noah looked at him, rage and heartbreak merging in her trembling voice. "Then what about what you did to Amal? Wasn't that forced? Was that love?"

Zain froze for a second-silent.

"Say something!" Noah challenged. "Wasn't that love forced?"

There was a long pause.

And then came Amal's voice-clear, steady, and from a distance.
"I love Zain."