Revenge Marriage

chapter -15

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**Alishba's POV**

Zayan had been acting differently over the past two or three days. It was as if someone had flipped a switch in him, and I didn't know how to react. He had been cruel and rude before, keeping a distance and not bothering to get to know me. But now, he was taking the time to understand me. The change in him both thrilled and confused me, leaving me with a tangled mess of emotions. I didn't know whether to trust this new Zayan or be cautious.

Sitting in front of the TV, wrapped in the warmth of my duvet, I was lost in thought. The hot chocolate in my hands was barely warm anymore, but I kept sipping it, hoping it would give me some comfort. I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened at the party. Why had Zayan been so distant when I asked him about the contract marriage? His silence had stung, and even now, the memory of his lack of response haunted me. He had nothing to say about it, nothing to explain his actions. I kept replaying those moments over and over in my head, but no answers came.

That's why I was so confused by his sudden kindness. He was so different now, so... gentle. But was this truly a change in him, or was he just hiding something deeper? My thoughts were interrupted when I saw Zayan walk into the room. He looked at me with that familiar, yet new softness in his eyes.

"Hot chocolate?" he asked, glancing at the mug in my hand.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I hardly registered the question at first. "Yep. Want a sip?" I offered, extending the mug toward him.

He accepted, taking a slow sip. The closeness of his body, the warmth of his presence, made my heart flutter unexpectedly. I couldn't focus on the drink at all anymore. It was his nearness that overwhelmed my senses.

When we finished the hot chocolate, he leaned back on the couch, his gaze on me. "Tell me about yourself, Alishba. What do you like? What do you not like?"

His words caught me off guard. I blinked, surprised by how sincerely he asked. It was a question I never expected from him, especially after everything that had happened. But I couldn't help the flutter of excitement that danced inside me at the thought of him actually wanting to know me.

"Wow... my husband is taking an interest in me," I said, trying to keep my tone light, though I was internally thrilled.

He chuckled softly. "Well, your husband was dumb before," he said with a teasing smile, making me smile too.

I thought back to the conversation we had on Hashim's birthday night. Zayan had been distant and almost cold then, but now, it felt like he was trying to make up for it, trying to connect. I couldn't shake the feeling, though, that something was still off. Why hadn't he mentioned the patient at his house? And why had he remained so tight-lipped about his brother? I had tried searching for answers online, but there was nothing. My instincts told me there was more to the story, but Zayan wasn't ready to share it with me.

"I like this version of Zayan," I said honestly, "and I don't like that previous one of yours."

He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Aha... Well, it's up to you which version you choose. But I must say, both versions are damn hot," he teased, making me chuckle.

I pretended to think about it. "Hmm... now I'm confused," I said playfully, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth inside at how different he was now.

"Well, I like dancing and drawing," I said, wanting to share a little piece of myself with him.

"Wait... I'll show you my drawing," I added, jumping up and rushing to my cupboard to grab my drawing book. When I returned to the couch, I sat down next to him, opening the book to show him my sketches.