LET ME HATE YOU

Attack

"I know this is not what you expected, but for now, this is all I can do," Feriha admitted to Asmaira, who nodded in quiet understanding. They stood on the balcony, watching Amaan and Kabir play cheerfully on the lawn below.

"Salar is completely taken with Amaan, and whenever I bring you up, he immediately dismisses it, assuming I'm unfairly biased toward you," Feriha sighed, clearly frustrated.

"You are already doing more than I could ever ask," Asmaira replied, managing a small, grateful smile while waving her phone.

"I told Amber you could video call her whenever you want to talk to Kabir. But we need to be extremely careful about Mehwish," Feriha cautioned. Asmaira turned to her, puzzled. "Didn't she leave?"

"She's only gone for a few days; she'll be back before the annual ball."

"But... why be careful around her?" Asmaira asked.

"Amaan isn't the only one who has changed. Mehwish has, too. I know my daughter. Her silence right now is like a ticking time bomb, capable of exploding at any moment. If she's around, she will definitely try to snoop," her mother-in-law explained, glancing at Kabir, whose loud laughter was a comfort to her heart.

"I am happy Amaan has accepted Kabir into his life, and I know, one day soon," she faced Asmaira with a warm smile, "he will accept you too."

I don't want him, her conscience screamed the four words in her mind. But Asmaira simply returned the smile with a practiced, fake one. She didn't need to tell Feriha that her reasons for marrying Amaan had nothing to do with him. Her sole purpose in the marriage was Kabir, and he would remain her entire world until the very end.

With the software launch deadline looming, Amaan was consumed by work, leaving him no time to torment Asmaira. Both of them were completely unaware of the escalating rumors circulating about them.

"She was getting into a red Aston Martin two days ago."

"A red Aston? That's Amaan's car!" a guy squealed, quickly hushed by his group.

"We know that," the girl who shared the news said with an eye roll.

The rest of the employees seated around her table in the cafeteria were stunned into silence.

"Didn't he just get married recently?" a girl with an upturned nose asked.

"His second time, yes. That's exactly why I was so shocked to see that nervous wreck of a rabbit in his car. And it wasn't the first time I saw her getting in the car late at night. One morning, I even saw her getting out of it at the junction and walking into the office," the news bearer continued confidently.

"I can't believe Amaan Hashmi is cheating on his new wife," another guy commented, while the one beside him offered, "Maybe he just goes for the damsel-in-distress type. Honestly, one look at the new assistant, and any man would jump at the chance to help her out."

"I totally get it. Innocence is the new sexy now," his friend chuckled, a remark that clearly irritated the female employees at the table.-----Inside the CEO's grand office, Salar sat regally, listening intently as Amaan updated him on the project's progress.

"The board of directors has many questions regarding your return to work. This presentation is absolutely critical for you, Amaan," Salar stated, leaning back in his chair.

As the founder of Hashmi Enterprises, he was both the chairman and the CEO. While the board was his direct authority, he was publicly endorsing Amaan as his successor, the next CEO, which required their unanimous approval. Once Amaan proved his capability with this project, his promotion would be a mere formality.