LET ME HATE YOU

Asmaira's Wish

"This is great. The presentation you prepared is exceptional. With this strategy, the Saunders will agree to the contract on our terms," Salar exclaimed, visibly ecstatic.

Feriha narrowed her eyes, immediately picking up on a shift in Amaan's attitude and noting Asmaira's absence from the breakfast table. "We have a rule against discussing business at the table," she gently reminded them.

"Let's move this discussion to the office," Salar quickly agreed, offering his wife an apologetic smile.

As Amaan closed his laptop, Feriha asked him, "Where is Asmaira?"

Before he could respond, Salar interjected, "She didn't even bother to come for dinner last night."

Surprised by Salar's unusually harsh tone toward Asmaira, Feriha looked at Amaan, who met her gaze with a smug expression.

"She wasn't feeling well and went to sleep early last night. I asked Maya to take her breakfast to her room," Amaan explained. The moment the words left his mouth, Hania's fork clattered onto her plate.

Seeing his father's stunned reaction, Amaan glanced around the table, noticing the mirrored expressions of surprise before looking back at Feriha. "Didn't I promise I would work on my marriage?"

"And Ma helped me realize a fundamental truth," he added.

"And what is that?" Salar couldn't help but ask.

"That Asmaira is my wife, no matter what, and I am responsible for her," Amaan's concrete reply confirmed Feriha's deepest fears.

Feriha knew Amaan blamed Asmaira for everything and was determined to crush her with his hatred.

Except for Feriha, the rest of the family believed Amaan, and given his reputation for skill, there was little room for suspicion. She desperately wanted to be happy to see her son revert to his old self, but her worry was that his sudden obsession with Asmaira stemmed purely from hatred.

"Ma will always have your best interests at heart," Mehwish chimed in. Feriha immediately suspected that the change in Amaan—and his outburst at Asmaira the previous night, which Amber had informed her about—was connected to Mehwish's arrival.

Glancing at Maya, Feriha held her gaze, a silent question passing between them. Maya offered a subtle nod, confirming Amaan's statement. Amaan and Mehwish sat close, engrossed in their conversation. Feriha's scrutinizing gaze remained fixed on the brother and sister chatting happily—both acting strangely out of character. Earlier, she had hoped Salar would listen to her concerns, but his reaction to Asmaira's absence made her highly skeptical.

For the first time, she was truly clueless about her son's next move. What troubled her most was the complete 180-degree change in Amaan's demeanor only after Mehwish's arrival. She conceded he had been reluctant about the marriage, but the swiftness and intensity of his shift were utterly incomprehensible. Amaan had never confirmed or denied if he was keeping Asmaira locked away because of Kabir, and if he continued down this path, Kabir would be the one most profoundly impacted.

"Ma, I was thinking if Mehwish could take Kabir out. Asmaira still needs rest and won't be able to go with him today," Amaan proposed.

Since the previous night, Amaan had been consistently surprising Feriha. Taken aback, she struggled to mask her shock. "But he's a shy child. Without Asmai—"

Mehwish quickly interrupted, "Ma, he's my nephew. I'm not a stranger to him. It would be good and healthy for him to get out of the house occasionally. And Amber will be coming with us if that makes you feel better."

"That sounds like an excellent idea. Kabir has never been outside the mansion," Salar agreed, holding Feriha's hand, completely unaware of the underlying plot.