The weight of her decision hadn't fully settled. Not yet.
Nadia sat in the dim glow of her bedroom, the city stretching endlessly beyond the glass. The walls felt too close, her thoughts too loud. She had barely moved since returning from her father's office, replaying every moment, every word.
Accusations. Betrayal.
Her phone buzzed.
Lina.
A slow exhale left her lips. She answered immediately.
"Nadia." Lina's voice was steady but laced with concern. "I just saw the news. Are you okay?"
Nadia shut her eyes. "I will be."
Lina didn't respond right away. The silence stretched before she finally spoke again, softer this time. "Do you need anything? Anything. Just say the word."
She meant it. The El-Amins weren't just wealthy—they were powerful. Their hospital empire spanned continents, their influence rivaling royalty. Lina herself, though still a med student, already had connections most people would never dream of. If Nadia needed resources, protection, a way out— Lina could give her that, but the problem is that Lina's sphere is fundamentally the health section and her family didn't like involving themselves in the business world's struggles and scandals.
Nadia let out a tired laugh. "Are you offering to fake my death and smuggle me out of the country?"
Lina snorted. "You joke, but I could. I have contacts."
It was the first thing that made her smile all day. But it faded just as fast.
"It's… worse than just the news, Lina."
Something in her tone must have shifted, because Lina's voice lost all teasing. "What happened?"
Nadia's fingers dug into the duvet. Say it. Just say it.
"I'm getting married."
The silence was instant.
"What."
Nadia braced herself.
"To who?"
She took a slow breath, forcing the words out. "Zayn Alaric."
She didn't need to see Lina to know she was blinking in disbelief.
"You're lying."
"I wish I was."
Lina's reaction was immediate. "Zayn Alaric? As in, the Zayn Alaric? The guy who makes grown men cry in boardrooms? The guy who probably has an entire wing of his company dedicated to burying scandals before they exist?"
"That's the one."
"Oh my God." Lina sounded personally offended. "And you're just… going along with this?"
Nadia's jaw tightened. "I don't have a choice."
A long silence. Then, Lina's voice dropped. "Do you want this?"
That was the question, wasn't it?
Did she want to marry Zayn Alaric?
No.
But did she want to lose everything? To watch her father's empire collapse? To let Sara and Kareem win?
Also no.
"It doesn't matter," Nadia said eventually. "It's happening."
Lina exhaled, long and slow, like she was holding back a dozen arguments. But then, her tone shifted—calm, steady. Unshakable.
"Then I'm with you," she said simply. "Whatever you need, I've got you, and look at the good side...he's rich and hot"
Nadia swallowed, warmth blooming in her chest despite the chaos around her.
"there's so something wrong with you" Nadia laughed "Thank you," she whispered.
Lina's voice softened. "Always."
As Nadia ended the call, staring out at the city below, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
She didn't sleep that night, Not really.
The night blurred into early morning, and by the time the sun spilled through the curtains, Nadia was still awake, curled on the chaise near her window. Her mind wouldn't stop.
The betrayal. The setup. Her father's voice, cold as ice.
And the name that had shattered the last of her certainty—
Kareem Aslan.
Sara's ally. Her weapon. And now, the man moving in to take over everything.
Nadia exhaled sharply. I need to think. I need to move.
She stood, stretching out stiff limbs, and was about to head to the bathroom when a sharp knock echoed against her door, she sighed, heading to the door.
"Who's there" she mumbled
"Nadia."
She turned the handle and pulled it open.
Mama stood there, composed as always, but her eyes were tired. Behind her, Ayla leaned against the hallway wall, arms crossed, scowling at nothing in particular.
"We need to talk," Mama said.
Nadia stepped aside, letting them in. Ayla pushed off the wall and stalked inside, dropping onto the bed with a huff. "So. You're really gonna marry the devil."
Nadia shot her a look.
"What?" Ayla said, raising an eyebrow. "It's true."
Mama ignored them both. She settled onto the edge of the chaise, looking at her daughter carefully. "Are you alright?"
Nadia almost laughed. "Do I look alright?"
Mama sighed. "No. But I had to ask."
Silence, it wasn't peaceful but it was comfortable enough for Nadia, but of course Ayla couldn't endure silence, the mere notion of people enjoying lack of noise clearly aggravated the hellion.
"We could still run," she said, half-joking. "Take a flight to Greece. Change your name. Open a bakery."
"Greece?" Nadia gave her a look.
Ayla shrugged. "It's pretty."
Mama pinched the bridge of her nose. "Enough, Ayla for God's sake." She turned back to Nadia. "What's your next move?"
Nadia stiffened. "What do you mean?"
Mama's gaze sharpened. "I know you, Nadia. You're not the type to sit back and let life happen to you. This" she gestured vaguely, "is not you, not my daughter"
Ayla nodded. "Yeah. You look… lost."
Nadia hated that.
She hated that they were right.
"I don't know," she admitted. It felt like a failure to say it out loud.
Mama studied her. "Then figure it out. Quickly. Because whether you like it or not, this marriage is happening."
Ayla scowled. "Way to be supportive, Mama."
Mama ignored her. "And one more thing." She stood, smoothing out her dress. "You may be forced into this marriage, but that does not mean you are powerless." Her eyes locked onto Nadia's. "Remember that."
Nadia swallowed.
Mama gave her a final look before turning for the door. Ayla followed, but not before pausing to squeeze Nadia's hand.
Then they were gone.
And Nadia was left alone with her thoughts.
Powerless?
No.
Her mother was right.
She may not have chosen this—but she would not be a victim.