Tainted Ties

Suhaira has spent most of her life in the shadows of her family's expectations, always measured against her cousin Saad, who's the perfect, composed older figure everyone admires.

After years of avoiding him, fate throws them together under the same roof again, and Suhaira quickly learns that distance has not softened the tension between them. Saad, always the reserved, indifferent cousin, is a constant reminder of her worst memories-her grandmother's harsh comparisons and constant taunts.

But as their lives unfold, old tensions simmer beneath the surface, and the cold facade that Saad maintains begins to crack. In the chaos of it all, Suhaira finds herself drawn into a web of unsaid words, lingering glances, and unspoken emotions.

Tensions rise, but so do the moments of unexpected understanding. Between sarcastic banter and reluctant kindness, Suhaira and Saad discover that there's more to their strained relationship than they ever thought possible.