LET ME HATE YOU

Kabir

"She had high expectations from you; I hope you won't disappoint both of us."

Feriha's words echoed in Asmaira's mind as she wandered aimlessly across the lawn. She needed a moment to herself, time to process. A fear gnawed at her—the fear of letting them down. She had never been away from her family, and now she was navigating entirely new surroundings. She felt utterly out of place.

Her thoughts immediately turned to Hania and Ishaal's designer clothes. Even Feriha's simple yet elegant attire spoke of their refined lifestyle. Asmaira glanced down at her own modest dress, unable to stop the comparison. She felt conspicuously different while sitting with them. Although the Hashmi family never made her feel inferior or looked down on her, her own self-consciousness amplified the difference. Mrs. Hashmi seemed polite and unconcerned by her plain appearance, but Feriha was known in elite circles for a presence that was unmatched. How long would it be before she, too, noticed that Asmaira simply didn't fit in?

Raina was so natural, she mused.

Asmaira smiled, recalling the torn newspaper images of Raina she had pieced together. It was clear Ehsan was the one responsible for the damage, but she collected them anyway, desperate for a glimpse of the woman she was meant to replace. Could she truly live up to the expectations?

As if in answer, a voice inside her asserted, You are not here to impress them.

She tried to steel her resolve. With zero confidence, how was she supposed to handle this huge responsibility? How could she possibly succeed? She hadn't formulated a plan. On one hand, she had to avoid her cruel husband until her plan was solid. On the other, she was completely inexperienced in this new role.

"Are you happy now?" she asked, looking up at the twilight sky.

"Raina," she whispered, closing her eyes.

Feriha had been observing Asmaira's silent conversation from the wall-length window of her study. Her initial skepticism about Asmaira had vanished, but she could see the girl's internal struggle. Asmaira was scared and lost, yet clearly determined to embrace her new role.

When Salar first raised doubts, Feriha admitted she was unsure about marrying Asmaira to Amaan. But after meeting the timid girl and seeing the fierce resolve shining in her brown eyes, all her doubts had dissipated.

"Ma," Feriha's thoughts were interrupted by Ishaal's voice.

She shifted her gaze from Asmaira to Ishaal.

"Kabir is awake."

"Very well, ask Maya to call Asmaira to my room. Ensure we are not to be disturbed until I say otherwise," Feriha instructed, heading back toward her room. She looked at Ishaal and added, "You know what to do."

Ishaal nodded and departed.

Asmaira stood by Feriha's door and knocked softly. A part of her knew why she had been summoned, yet she was deeply nervous. She had waited for this moment for so long, but now that it was here, her stomach was a knot of anxiety.

"Come in." She took a shaky breath when Feriha called out.

Wiping her sweaty hands on the hem of her dress, she turned the doorknob. Her pale face showed a mix of emotions: fear, nervousness, and a faint flicker of guilt. She took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The moment she entered, she froze, and what greeted her made her eyes instantly tear up. She blinked rapidly to clear her vision. For once, she was oblivious to the curious looks she was receiving. In the room, all that mattered was her and the baby. A baby boy, barely a year old, sat on Feriha's lap, looking around uncertainly. His plump, small hand clutched his grandmother's dress, a silent sign of his distrust of strangers.