DECEPTION

15 | i

Asraar's eyes met Manar's from across the crowded hall when she arrived dressed in a dazzling ice blue peshwas featuring a V- neckline and an intricately embellished fitted bodice.

He didn't divert his attention elsewhere other than her. There was simply no reason to. She was no longer in a relationship with his brother, and now as she stood before him a single woman, he too had the freedom to act on his desire to pursue her if she wished.

The solitary ring on her finger caught his attention, and he signaled to Saim to escort her in. He could recognize that ring anywhere, with its large, sapphire at the center, encircled by a halo of small, glistening diamonds. The band of the ring was crafted from white gold, further enhancing the rich blue of the sapphire and the brilliance of the diamonds.

He didn't claim to know her mind, but he had a feeling she was about to display the oval ring for the cameras. For what purpose, he knew not.

For God's sake, why hadn't Zarrar demanded the ring back?

Manar acknowledged him with a small smile, though it was directed more at Zarrar than at Asraar. The twins' striking resemblance had always made it challenging to distinguish between them from a distance.

However, the smile quickly faded when Saim appeared before her, following Asraar's instructions, and blocked her view from the cameras. If she had succeeded, they would have had an additional mess on their hands.

For a few seconds, she remained still, seemingly contemplating her next move. Then, she thanked the paparazzi with a polite nod and calmly walked in the opposite direction of Saim and the cameras. Asraar couldn't help but chuckle softly; for some reason, she had never liked Saim and they had never gotten along. For that matter, she had never been particularly fond of Asraar, either.

Before Asraar could fully register his actions, he was already striding towards her, his hands held behind his back.

"Manar," his voice called out from behind her.

Manar paused, her steps slowing as she waited for him to catch up, her heart quickening with anticipation, expecting Zarrar.

Her hopes deflated like a popped balloon when Asraar drew near, and she inwardly groaned, realizing her mistake. It was him, not Zarrar who had approached her.

"Well, aren't you thrilled to see me?" Asraar grinned.

"I've barely been here for five minutes, and you're already complicating my night. What do you want?" Manar's voice carried a hint of irritation.

"That is not the ring you should be wearing, let alone flaunting," Asraar's gaze dropped to her hand, clutching a golden purse near her abdomen. He couldn't help but notice the subtle gleam of her belly piercing through the sheer organza of her choli.

/A flicker of desire ignited within him./

Heat blazed in Manar's stomach, her cheeks flushed as she sensed the intensity of his gaze.

"What's it to you?"

"That ring, Manar, it's our mother's," Asraar declared, his voice firm yet gently insistent. Manar's eyebrows rose in surprise. Now, that she knew it was Asraar and not Zarrar, the mention of her name on his tongue caught her off guard.

Zarrar hadn't disclosed this detail to her, and she had always assumed he wanted no part in his mother's legacy, unlike Asraar, who held their mother and her second husband in high regard which had always been a bone of contention between the twins. Yet, Zarrar had given her their mother's ring.

Manar swallowed, her voice now softer. "Zarrar gave it to me."

"I assume he proposed with it. But you're no longer engaged to him."