Revenge Marriage

chapter 13

**Zayan's POV**

"Oh no, the restaurant's full today—we should've booked our seats," Alishba giggled, gripping Hashim's hand tighter like they were filming a rom-com.

My eye twitched.

*Why the hell is she always holding his hand?* Is it a comfort thing? A habit? Or just a creative way to stab me repeatedly without using a knife?

The place was packed, buzzing with conversations and cutlery. We waited by the host stand, and then finally:

"Your waitress will be right with you," the hostess said.

I made sure to sit beside Alishba—my *wife*—because being across from her just didn't feel right. Also, I wasn't going to let her sit beside Hashim like they were on a cute little brunch date. So, naturally, Hashim ended up beside me. Yay.

Our waitress approached—a tall girl with sleek dark hair and a soft smile. Something about her was familiar. Then I recognized her.

Nicole Adam.

From high school.

"Oh my god, Zayan? Is that *really* you?" she gasped and, before I could react, hugged me.

*Someone please invent an "Ex-Girlfriend Alert" app. It's urgent.*

"H-hey, Nicole. How are you?" I said awkwardly.

"Ugh, just working my butt off." She laughed lightly.

I glanced at Alishba. Her smile had vanished like my peace of mind. Not pleased.

"So... are these your friends?" Nicole asked, glancing at Alishba and Hashim.

"She's my wife," I said, looking at Alishba. She smiled, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. I didn't bother introducing Hashim. He wasn't my friend. He was a live-action thorn in my side.

"*Wife*?" Nicole said, eyebrows nearly disappearing into her hairline. "Wow... never thought you'd get married. You never struck me as the relationship-commitment type."

Alishba raised an eyebrow. Great.

"Yeah, well... now I am," I replied, pretending like that didn't sting.

"So you two were close friends?" Hashim asked with the curiosity of a gossip auntie.

"Umm, actually, I was his girlfriend in high school," Nicole said, flipping her hair like we were in a teenage drama reboot.

"*What!*" Hashim laughed, shooting a look at Alishba.

Alishba rolled her eyes so hard I'm sure she saw her past lives.

"We broke up," Nicole added with a dramatic sigh. "His anger issues were... well, a bit too much."

I nearly choked on my own air. Alishba's sharp glance sliced through me like glass.

"Yeah... I can understand," she said, with the kind of tone that said she didn't just understand—she *agreed*.

Nicole blinked, then pulled out her notepad. "So, what can I get you all to drink?"

Alishba ordered a smoothie. Hashim and I both went for apple juice. *Because apparently, now we even order drinks like twins.* Tragic.

"And food?" Nicole asked.

"Blueberry pancakes with maple syrup for me and Alishba," Hashim chimed in. "Zayan?"

I didn't even like pancakes.

"Same," I muttered. I was craving black coffee and scrambled eggs, not syrupy sugar bombs. But I didn't want to be *that guy*.

We ate mostly in silence. Every fork scrape felt like a countdown to the moment I'd snap.