𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞

Chapter 21: Burning lies

Author's pov ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Rida stepped out of the house, her heartbeat unsteady, the note Zayd had slipped into her hand burning a hole in her palm. She rushed to the car, hands trembling as she unfolded the small piece of paper. Her eyes scanned the hurriedly scribbled words:

"Love, please trust me one last time. Hell no, I'm not the father of her child. She's forcing me to do things I don't want to. Please, love, I swear I'll fix everything—just don't let this marriage happen."

Rida's breath caught in her throat. Her mind whirled with confusion, disbelief, and a sense of betrayal. What is going on? She glanced back at the house, her thoughts running wild. Is Zayd telling the truth? Or is he playing some twisted game? And what could Nida have done to him?

Beside her, Umar observed her reaction, concern evident in his eyes. "Come on, Bunbun, will you tell me what's going on?" he asked, his voice soft but firm.

Rida's gaze remained fixed on the note as if hoping it would reveal more answers. She felt her head spin, thoughts clashing and colliding. How could Zayd have lied about something so serious? And why was Nida so insistent on marrying him? Her grip tightened around the note, her knuckles turning white.

Before she could respond, a loud, gut-wrenching scream pierced the night air. It was a scream filled with agony and fear—Zayd's scream.

Rida's eyes shot up, and she turned to Umar, whose expression mirrored her own shock and fear. For a moment, they stood frozen, their breaths caught in their throats.

"Zayd!" she whispered, her voice a mix of panic and dread.

Umar's eyes widened. "Something's wrong," he muttered, urgency lacing his tone. Without another word, they both sprinted back towards the house, fear clawing at their insides.
As soon as Rida and Umar left, the door slammed shut, Zayd flinched, the sound echoing through the silence of the room. He turned to Nida, whose face was contorted in fury, her eyes blazing with a rage that sent a shiver down his spine. "Damn, what the hell?" he muttered, rubbing his wrist where the sting of the impact still lingered.

Nida's eyes narrowed, her hands clenching into fists. "What the fuck was that, Zayd?" she hissed, her voice dripping with venom.

Zayd knew why she was mad. He'd hugged Rida, held her close for a moment—something Nida had forbidden. He shot back, "Stop ruling my life, Nida. I'm not your fucking puppet!"

Nida's rage only intensified. She grabbed his wrist, her grip tight and unforgiving as she dragged him into the kitchen. "You are my puppet!" she snapped, shoving him forward with a force that nearly sent him stumbling. "I have all the power here, Zayd. You will do what I say. And I told you—stay away from Rida!"

Zayd's eyes flashed with defiance as he squared his shoulders. "Never. I can never stay away from her. How can someone stay away from their lifeline? Even if she hates me now, even if she never wants to see my face again—I'll still be near her. She's the reason for my existence!" His voice was a mixture of anger and desperation, every word a plea from the depths of his soul.