77 parts Ongoing "The groom is finally here."
Khalid's eyes moved to them slowly. Cold. Sharp.
"Get out."
They hesitated, unsure they heard him right.
"I said get the fuck out of my house!"
The anger in his voice left no room for argument. Both girls flinched, fear flashing across their faces. Without another word, they rushed past him, nearly tripping over their steps as they fled the room.
The door closed behind them.
Silence returned - thick and unbearable.
Khalid stood there for a moment, just watching her.
Ayesha's shoulders shook. Her hands trembled in her lap. She felt his gaze on her like weight pressing her down. Slowly, she tried to stand, her legs weak beneath her. She couldn't breathe properly. She just wanted to leave. Anywhere. Anywhere but here.
She took a step toward the door.
"Where do you think you're going?"
His voice stopped her cold.
She swallowed hard, her throat tight, her voice barely a whisper as she answered, "O-out..."
Khalid let out a short, humorless laugh.
"Aren't you my bride?" he said. "It's our wedding night. Our first night." His tone turned dark. "We should celebrate."
Before she could react, he reached out, pulling away her veil. The world tilted. Panic rushed through her veins as he pushed her back onto the bed.
"No," she shook her head desperately, tears spilling faster now. "I don't want this. Please-"
Her words fell apart on her tongue. He wasn't listening.
Hovering above her, his presence felt overwhelming, crushing. The ceiling blurred through her tears. Her hands clenched the sheets, her body stiff with fear.
Then something inside her broke.
This was her reality now.
This was her life.
He was her husband.
Slowly, she stopped struggling.
Her eyes closed tightly, lashes wet, tears escaping anyway. Her lips trembled as she whispered the only words she could find, her voice small, broken, and defeated.
"Please... be gentle."
a marriage of force.
tortured love.
love after marriage.
