42| His Anaabiya

H I S A N A A B I Y A

Fun fact: if you ask me about my favourite character that I have ever written, it won't be Humza. It will be Tayyab from The Cruel Prince ♥️

love love love him!

W O R D  C O U N T: 5302

Humza leaned back against the bar, his fingers tightening around the glass of golden-brown liquid before he brought it to his lips. The familiar burn seared down his throat, but it did little to numb the frustration simmering inside him. His eyes, sharp and calculating, roamed over the sea of bodies swaying under the dim, pulsating lights.

"That one," he muttered, nodding toward a woman across the room. "I'll try on her."

Beside him, Huzaifa let out an exaggerated sigh, swirling the remnants of his drink before tossing it back in one go. "Brother, listen to me. Let's just go home. We've been at this for hours, and it's getting embarrassing now. Face it—you've lost your touch."

Humza's gaze snapped toward him, dark and brooding, but Huzaifa only smirked, unbothered by the warning in his eyes.

"Don't give me that look," Huzaifa scoffed, shaking his head. "I still can't believe we're doing this. We used to own the night—now look at us. We don't even seem like the Mafias anymore." His voice carried a mix of amusement and disbelief, but there was also a hint of truth that neither of them wanted to acknowledge.

Humza exhaled sharply, jaw clenching as he turned back toward the crowd. His fingers tapped against the empty glass, his mind clouded. Maybe Huzaifa was right. Maybe this wasn't who he was.

Or maybe—just maybe—he was trying too hard to forget someone who had already burned herself into his soul.

Humza's grip tightened around his glass as he shot Huzaifa a sharp glare. "Just shut the fuck up and let me think," he growled, his patience hanging by a thread.

Huzaifa, unfazed by his brother's irritation, turned toward the bartender. "One more shot," he ordered before shifting his attention back to Humza. "Listen, this whole plan is stupid. Seriously, how senseless can you be? Let's just jump to Plan B before you make a complete fool of yourself."

Humza exhaled harshly, running a hand through his already tousled hair. "She'll start hating me. That's all I want. I don't want her to—"

Before he could finish, a sultry voice cut through the air.

"Hello, handsome."

Humza's gaze flickered toward the source of the interruption—a blonde woman who looked like she had stepped right out of a cheap, B-grade movie. Her dress, if it could even be called that, clung to her body like a second skin, leaving little to the imagination. Red lips curved into a flirtatious smile as she leaned in slightly, resting her manicured fingers on the bar. "Mind if I join you guys?"

Her eyes were locked onto Humza, waiting for his response, but he only stared at her blankly, showing no interest.

A sharp jab at his side made him turn, only to find Huzaifa raising an eyebrow at him, subtly nodding toward the woman. The message was clear. Say yes.

Humza clenched his jaw, suppressing the wave of irritation bubbling within him. He wasn't in the mood for this. Not tonight. But then again, none of this was about what he wanted. It was about what he needed—to make Anaabiya hate him. To sever whatever fragile thread still held them together.

And if ruining himself was the only way to do it, then so be it.

"Uh... yeah. Sure. Join us." Humza forced the words out almost immediately, his voice void of any real enthusiasm.

The blonde's face lit up like a child receiving their favorite toy. With an eager smile, she moved to take the seat beside him. Huzaifa, clearly enjoying the spectacle, smirked as he casually slid over to the next stool, intentionally leaving an empty seat between them.

"I'm Sarah," she purred, settling into the chair with an unmistakable air of confidence.

"Humza," he replied stiffly, giving her a curt nod, his posture rigid.

Sarah's smile widened, dripping with seduction, as she casually placed a manicured hand on his thigh. The moment her fingers made contact with his leg, a jolt of irritation—or something deeper, something inexplicable—coursed through him.

He flinched, muscles tightening as if her touch had seared his skin. Instinctively, he jerked away, shifting abruptly to the side. The sudden movement caught Sarah off guard, and she nearly toppled off her chair. With a sharp gasp, she grabbed the edge of the bar to steady herself, barely avoiding humiliation.

For a brief second, a scowl flickered across her face, her pride clearly wounded, but she quickly masked it with another sultry smile.

Humza, on the other hand, clenched his jaw, annoyance flickering in his dark eyes. What the hell is wrong with me?

"So, what do you do for a living?" Sarah asked, twirling a strand of her platinum blonde hair around her finger as she leaned in closer.

Before Humza could answer, Huzaifa choked on his drink, coughing violently. His shoulders shook as he tried to suppress a laugh.

Humza shot him a deadly glare, silently warning him to shut up. Sarah, oblivious to the silent exchange, turned her attention back to Humza, waiting for an answer.

He didn't bother responding. Instead, he smoothly diverted the conversation, asking her something random, anything to steer away from dangerous topics. She took the bait easily, launching into an endless monologue about herself.

Humza barely listened. He nodded occasionally, pretending to be engaged, but every passing second felt like a test of his patience. He had expected to feel something—anything—while sitting next to a woman who was practically throwing herself at him. Arousal, temptation, distraction—whatever it was, he had hoped it would help him drown out the chaos in his head.

But all he felt was... nothing.

Sarah, sensing his lack of interest, decided to up her game. With a coy smile, she "accidentally" dropped her keys onto the floor.

"Oh no," she murmured, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. Slowly, she bent down to retrieve them, making sure to arch her back just enough so that her already revealing dress dipped scandalously low.

When she straightened, she smiled seductively, expecting to find his eyes glued to her. Instead, Humza had turned his face away, his jaw clenched tight.

He didn't see Sarah anymore.

He saw her.

Anaabiya.

Her beautiful, stubborn face flashed through his mind, making something deep within him twist painfully. A groan of frustration rumbled in his chest as he raked a hand through his hair, his irritation boiling over.

What the hell was he even doing here?

This woman beside him was everything society labeled as desirable—bold, uninhibited, ready to play the part he needed her to—but she only repulsed him. He felt no pull, no attraction. Instead, a wave of disgust rolled through him.

Not at her.

At himself.

His fists clenched under the bar table. Any normal man would have been tempted. Any normal man would have given in. But all he felt was an overwhelming sense of shame, as if he was betraying something sacred.

Or someone sacred.

"Fuck this. I'm done." Humza muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

Without sparing another glance at the scene around him, he grabbed Sarah's wrist and yanked her up from her seat, pulling her along as he strode toward the exit. She let out a startled squeal before quickly recovering, giggling as she tried to keep up with his fast pace.

"Whoa, slow down, handsome," she purred, her voice laced with amusement. "I promise, I'm not gonna run away."

Humza didn't respond. His grip was firm, but not rough, though his jaw was clenched so tight it looked like he was grinding his teeth. He could hear Huzaifa chuckling behind him, his voice carrying through the bar like an annoying echo.

"Told ya, old man," Huzaifa teased, knowing exactly what Humza was up to. He leaned back in his seat, swirling the last remnants of his drink in his glass, watching the scene unfold like an entertained spectator.

Humza ignored him.

Sarah, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with excitement. She wasn't used to men like him—the ones who didn't shower her with sweet words or fake compliments before taking her home. This one was different. He was silent, intense, almost brooding, and it only made her more eager.

She had no idea she was merely a pawn in a much bigger game.

Humza barely heard her flirty chatter. His mind was already two steps ahead, calculating, planning, making sure everything went according to Plan B.

If this didn't push Anaabiya away for good...

Nothing would.

Humza dragged Sarah all the way to his car, his grip unrelenting as he pulled open the passenger door.

"Get in. Fast." His voice was sharp, leaving no room for argument.

Sarah's eyes gleamed as she took in the sight of the sleek, black luxury car. She ran a manicured hand along the glossy surface before slipping inside, practically bouncing in her seat as she admired the plush leather interior.

"Wow," she breathed, running her fingers along the dashboard. "You really are loaded."

Humza said nothing as he slid into the driver's seat beside her, gripping the wheel with white-knuckled tension. His mind was a storm, thoughts colliding in a chaotic mess, but his face remained an unreadable mask.

Sarah, oblivious to the turmoil raging within him, turned her gaze to him with a sultry smirk. She bit her lip, her fingers tracing the strap of her dress before trailing down to the zipper at her back.

"You must be so worked up right now," she purred. "Should I undress for you here?" She reached for the zipper, her fingers toying with the metal.

Humza's entire body tensed.

"Shut the fuck up."

His voice came out like a growl, slicing through the air like a whip.

Sarah flinched violently, her back pressing against the seat as she stared at him with wide, startled eyes. She hadn't expected that. Not even close.

The playful glint in her eyes dimmed, replaced by something akin to unease as Humza revved the engine, the car roaring to life. Without another word, he slammed his foot against the accelerator, and the car lurched forward, tearing through the streets at a reckless speed.

Sarah clutched the edges of her seat, her knuckles turning white.

"Uh... babe?" she laughed nervously, eyeing the speedometer as it climbed higher and higher. "Maybe slow down a little?"

Humza didn't even blink.

Sarah swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortably. For the first time that night, she seemed to be questioning her decision.

Maybe she had just gotten into a car with a lunatic.

The ride back home was only fifteen minutes.

But for Sarah, it felt like an eternity.

Good! It would be a life lesson for her.

Sarah was still shaken from the reckless drive when she finally found her voice. She huffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she glared at Humza.

"You can't just treat me like this," she snapped. "I know you might be wealthy and all, but that doesn't mean—"

Her words died in her throat the moment Humza pulled out the gun from his waistband, turning it slightly so the dim light of the car reflected off the cold metal.

"You see this?" His voice was eerily calm, but his dark eyes burned with a warning.

Sarah's face paled instantly. She clutched onto the seat, her entire body recoiling as she pressed herself as far away from him as possible.

"Please—please don't kill me," she stammered, her voice trembling.

Humza scoffed, cocking his head slightly. "I will if you don't shut the fuck up."

His voice thundered through the car, sharp and merciless. Sarah slapped a hand over her mouth, nodding frantically.

"Good," he muttered, tucking the gun back into his waistband. "Now listen carefully—no harm will come to you if you do exactly what I say."

Sarah's watery eyes stayed fixed on him, too afraid to even blink.

"I just need you to play along," he continued, his tone deceptively casual. "I need to make my wife jealous."

Sarah blinked in confusion, her lips parting slightly. Wife?

For a brief second, she looked at him like he had completely lost his mind. But whatever remark she wanted to make never left her lips.

Clever girl. She knew better than to push her luck.

Humza didn't wait for a response. He yanked the door open and stepped out, adjusting his jacket before reaching back in to grab Sarah's wrist. She hesitated for a second, but the hard look in his eyes made it clear—she didn't have a choice.

He pulled her out of the car with an unforgiving grip. Her legs wobbled beneath her, and for a moment, she looked like she might burst into tears.

Humza ignored her.

He marched towards the house, dragging Sarah alongside him. The massive front doors loomed ahead, and with one swift motion, he pushed them open and strode inside.

The house was dimly lit, eerily silent except for the distant ticking of a clock. Sarah's nervous breaths filled the space as she stumbled behind him, struggling to keep up with his long strides.

Without missing a beat, Humza led her straight towards the staircase, his grip on her wrist unrelenting. His destination was clear.

Anaabiya's room.

And he was about to make sure she saw everything.

Humza exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose before turning to Sarah, who was still trembling slightly. He softened his voice—just enough to keep her from completely losing it.

"Listen carefully," he said, his tone laced with authority. "There's no need to be scared. I won't hurt you... as long as you do exactly what I say."

Sarah nodded hesitantly, sniffling as she wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks.

Humza's sharp eyes scanned the dimly lit corridor, making sure the coast was clear. It was late—most of the household was likely asleep. Good. He didn't need any unnecessary interruptions.

"You see that room?" He pointed toward Anaabiya's closed door.

Sarah followed his gaze and nodded.

"Here's what you're going to do," he continued, his voice low but firm. "Walk past that door with loud footsteps, make sure she hears you. Then, come straight to me. The moment she steps out..." He paused, studying her expression, before adding, "act along. Moan, giggle—do whatever it takes to make it convincing. Then, we'll go inside this room." He gestured toward the guest room beside them.

Sarah blinked, processing his words. "You really think she's going to fall for this?"

Humza shot her a dark glare, his patience running thin. "I don't think, I know. Now, don't push your luck." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Or it'll be my gun... and your head."

Sarah swallowed hard, nodding frantically. "Fine. I'll do it."

"Good," he muttered.

Taking a deep breath, Sarah stepped away, her movements hesitant at first. Then, remembering his instructions, she picked up her pace, stomping deliberately as she passed Anaabiya's door before hurrying back to him.

Humza caught her by the waist, pulling her flush against him, his grip firm but calculated. He waited.

One second.

Two seconds.

Silence.

His jaw clenched. The door didn't open.

His patience was wearing thin. He needed Anaabiya to see this. To hate him. To not leave him but just so she maintained her distance.

But why did his chest tighten at the thought?

Damn it.

He wasn't backing down now.

Humza exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair in frustration. His patience was wearing dangerously thin. He had expected Anaabiya to come storming out by now, but the silence behind her door was unnerving. Was she asleep? Ignoring him? His jaw clenched.

"Again," he ordered, his voice low but sharp. "This time, make it louder."

Sarah huffed, rolling her eyes in irritation, but did as she was told. She stomped past the door once more, her heels clicking against the marble floor with exaggerated force. She returned to Humza's side, waiting, but once again—nothing.

Humza's fists tightened. Damn it.

"This plan is ridiculous, Mr. Humza," Sarah muttered, crossing her arms. "You know what would actually work?" She pointed at the wooden stand near Anaabiya's door. "Knock over that vase. A loud crash will definitely bring her out."

Humza's glare could have burned a hole through her skull. "No. That would make it obvious," he snapped.

Sarah shrugged, unfazed. "Fine, I'll do it then."

She took a step toward the stand, but Humza lunged forward, grabbing her wrist before she could reach it. "Don't you d—"

CRASH!

The sound of shattering porcelain filled the corridor.

For a split second, Humza froze, his body going rigid. His gaze darted to the floor where the shattered remains of the vase now lay scattered. He hadn't even realized his own movement had knocked it over.

Shit.

Sarah smirked. "Well, that worked."

His head snapped toward her, fury darkening his features. Without thinking, he reached for his gun, pulling it just enough for her to see.

"Say another word, and I swear—"

But before he could finish, a soft creaking sound filled the air.

Humza barely had time to react before Anaabiya's door slowly swung open.

Instinct took over. In one swift motion, he yanked Sarah against him, pressing her back to the wall. He angled his body to block Anaabiya's view, lowering his head just enough to brush his lips against the corner of Sarah's cheek. His grip on the gun tightened, discreetly pressing it against her stomach.

Sarah stiffened, her entire body trembling now—not from excitement, but fear.

Humza wasn't paying attention to her anymore. His focus was solely on Anaabiya, waiting for her reaction. Hate me, he silently willed. Loathe me. Detest me. I deserve it.

Humza could hear the soft, hesitant footsteps approaching, the sound nearly suffocating him. His fingers twitched at his sides, his entire body tense. He squeezed his eyes shut, unable to face what he knew would be written all over Anaabiya's face—pain, betrayal, heartbreak.

Don't look. Don't you dare look.

If he saw her reaction, it would weaken him. And weakness wasn't an option.

"Don't act smart, or you know what happens," he murmured under his breath, his voice low and threatening, meant only for Sarah's ears.

But what happened next nearly made him recoil.

Sarah, as if possessed by some desperate need for attention, tilted her head and pressed her lips dangerously close to his collarbone. Humza stiffened instantly, his muscles locking in place.

What the fuck is she doing?

A shudder of disgust ran down his spine. Every bone in his body screamed at him to push her away, to shove her off and put an end to this madness. But he couldn't. Not when Anaabiya was standing right there, witnessing every second of this performance.

Sarah was good at this—too good. She moved with practiced ease, her fingers trailing over his chest while her lips hovered just above his skin, teasing the fabric of his shirt. He clenched his jaw, swallowing down the bile rising in his throat.

Was Anaabiya still there? Was she watching?

The silence stretched unbearably, but Humza refused to open his eyes.

Don't look. Don't look. If you do, you'll break.

Sarah, picking up on his hesitation, took it a step further. She let out a soft, breathy sigh and leaned into him completely, pressing herself against his torso as if she belonged there. Humza's stomach twisted in revulsion.

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to respond. His hands ghosted over her back, mimicking affection, his movements rigid and unnatural. Then, as if to seal the act, he let out a low moan—artificial, forced.

Still, nothing.

No sound. No sharp intake of breath. No movement.

Was Anaabiya gone? Had she even been there to begin with?

His mind spiraled, battling between relief and an unbearable frustration that clawed at his insides.

Fuck you, brain.

Humza couldn't resist. He cracked his eyes open slightly, just enough to steal a peek—but what he saw made him freeze entirely.

His breath hitched.

His eyes, wide as soccer balls, refused to blink as they shamelessly devoured the sight before him. His mouth went dry, lips slightly parted in stunned disbelief.

Anaabiya stood there, bathed in the soft glow of the dim hallway light, wearing something he never in his wildest dreams imagined she would. The modest, carefully concealed woman he had married now stood before him draped in the most unexpected nightwear—a delicate, silky fabric that clung to her in all the right places.

What the hell happened to her?

His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, the dry lump refusing to go down. He would be lying if he said he wasn't affected—no, aroused. Every fiber of his being was betraying him, his resolve crumbling like sand slipping through his fingers.

His eyes raked over her, drinking in every dip and curve, lingering at places they shouldn't. His once rigid hands now hung uselessly by his sides, fists twitching as a war raged inside him. The temptation was unbearable.

The urgency clawed at him, raw and consuming. He wanted—no, needed—to shove Sarah away, toss her aside like the mistake she was, and claim what was his. The sheer thought of Anaabiya in his arms, of that fabric sliding off her shoulders, sent a dangerous heat coursing through his veins.

His muscles coiled, his body reacting before his mind could regain control.

Forgetting the world around him, forgetting why he was even doing this, his gaze finally lifted from her sinful curves and locked onto her eyes.

And that was when the arousal died.

Humza felt as though someone had dumped a bucket of ice-cold water over him.

Anaabiya's eyes burned with fire and hatred so intense it made his stomach drop. The storm of emotions in them was suffocating—anger, pain, disgust, but most of all... betrayal.

His breath caught in his throat.

He had shattered her.

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut, twisting his insides into a million knots. He had set out to make her jealous, to push her away, to make her hate him—yet now that he had done exactly that, why did it feel like he was the one suffocating?

A sudden urge clawed at his chest, desperate and wild. He wanted to throw everything aside, stride toward her, and pull her into his arms. He wanted to tell her the truth—to confess that he loved her, that she was the only thing that ever made sense in his twisted world. But he couldn't.

He swallowed the lump in his throat, forcing himself to remain still. His fingers instinctively grazed over the gun tucked against his waistband, and he quickly adjusted it, shoving it out of sight before Anaabiya could notice.

Sarah, meanwhile, had completely lost the fear she had displayed in the car. Instead of trembling, she was leaning into him with calculated ease, pressing herself so close that he could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. Her voice dripped with seduction as she let out a sultry hum, her lips brushing against the shell of his ear.

"Mmm, baby, you're so tense," she purred, trailing her nails lightly down his arm in a teasing caress. "Why don't we take this inside? It's been so long... I miss you."

Humza barely reacted. His entire body was stiff, but not because of her. His mind was still locked onto Anaabiya—her expression seared into his memory like a wound that refused to heal.

Sarah didn't seem to care. With a practiced sway of her hips, she turned and stepped into the room, throwing him a playful glance over her shoulder as she motioned for him to follow.

Humza clenched his jaw.

It was strange. Just moments ago, she had been scared to death, trembling at the sight of his gun. And now, she moved with confidence, as if she had never been afraid at all.

Something about it was fishy.

But that was a problem for later. Right now, he had a far bigger issue standing in front of him—Anaabiya. The woman he had just broken.

Pain and betrayal were etched across Anaabiya's face, her eyes dark with emotions too heavy for him to bear. Humza could no longer meet her gaze.

He had shattered her completely.

His hands curled into fists at his sides as a strange ache spread through his chest. This was exactly what he had wanted, wasn't it? For her to hate him? To push her so far away that she would never turn back? Then why did it feel like he was the one suffocating?

For a long, agonizing moment, he stood frozen, fighting the urge to say something—to stop her from leaving. But he didn't. Instead, he forced his legs to move and stepped inside the room without sparing Anaabiya a final glance.

Sarah stood in the middle of the room, her lips curled into a smirk, oblivious to the turmoil raging inside him.

"Start moaning," he ordered flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.

She didn't hesitate. Immediately, she let out a series of breathy whimpers, exaggerated and sensuous. The sheer ridiculousness of it made Humza nearly choke on his own laughter. This was stupid—so painfully, utterly stupid. What the hell was he even doing?

Still, he waited.

Knowing Anaabiya, she would burst into the room any second now, yelling at him, calling him names, demanding answers. But the seconds ticked by, and the door remained shut.

A strange sense of unease crawled up his spine.

"Shh," he hissed, silencing Sarah as he slowly crept toward the door. Carefully, he cracked it open just enough to peek outside.

His chest tightened.

The hallway was empty. Anaabiya was gone.

She had actually walked away.

His stomach clenched at the realization. He had hurt her too much—pushed her beyond her limit. The thought of her leaving without a fight should have relieved him, but it only made his insides churn.

Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around his waist from behind.

He stiffened instantly.

"What the hell—" He turned sharply, only to be met with the shocking sight of Sarah standing before him, half-naked, her dress pooling dangerously low around her chest.

His jaw clenched in disgust.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" His voice was sharp, laced with irritation. He immediately stepped back, creating distance between them.

Sarah pouted, stepping forward, her fingers grazing the hem of his shirt. "Relax, baby. You brought me here, didn't you? Why stop now?"

A flicker of rage flashed in Humza's eyes.

"The drama is over," he snapped coldly. "I have no use for you anymore." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "I'll have my driver drop you home. Get dressed and get out."

Sarah blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his sudden change in demeanor. But then, to his irritation, she took another step closer, pressing her body against him.

"You sure about that?" she whispered, tracing a finger down his chest.

Humza had had enough.

His patience snapped like a brittle thread.

Grabbing her wrist in a firm grip, he shoved her away. "Touch me again, and I won't be so polite," he warned, his voice like steel. His piercing gaze bore into her, making it clear he wasn't joking.

Sarah's confidence faltered, her smirk vanishing as she finally took the hint.

Sarah pouted, her lips forming a perfect little pout as she batted her lashes at him. "But there's no harm in having a little fun," she cooed, tilting her head seductively.

Humza felt his blood boil.

His patience had run razor-thin, and her voice—sickly sweet and laced with shameless audacity—was the final straw.

In an instant, his hand shot out, fingers wrapping tightly around her throat as he slammed her against the wall. The impact made a loud thud, and her eyes widened in terror.

"What did I tell you?" His voice was a low growl, dripping with venom. His grip tightened, making her whimper. "Don't fucking test me, or I swear, I'll snap your neck right here."

Sarah clawed at his hand, struggling under his hold, her breath coming in short, desperate gasps. Panic filled her eyes as she realized he wasn't bluffing.

For a fleeting moment, Humza actually considered ending it—getting rid of her completely. It would be so easy. One squeeze, and she'd be gone. No more annoying, useless distractions.

But then, just as quickly as the violent thought came, he forced himself to shove it away.

With a deep, controlled breath, he released her.

Sarah stumbled back, gasping for air, her hands flying to her throat as she coughed violently. She stared at him, her face pale, fear clouding her once-confident features.

"You... you're insane," she wheezed.

Humza didn't respond. He merely glared down at her, jaw clenched, his body coiled with barely restrained fury.

"I should've kil..," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

But before he could say anything else, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder and yanked him backward.

What the—?

Before he could even process what was happening, a sharp force collided with his jaw.

His head snapped to the side.

For a brief second, there was complete silence.

Humza blinked, his vision refocusing, his mind catching up to the fact that someone had just punched him. But the real shock came when he turned back—only to find Anaabiya standing before him, her chest rising and falling with anger, her hands clenched into trembling fists.

His eyes widened.

What the actual fuck?

Did she... did she just hit him?

His lips twitched despite the sting on his face.

There she was. His Anaabiya.

Fierce. Bold. Unafraid.

For a second, he almost forgot to be mad.

Anaabiya's voice was sharp, dripping with disgust as she spat, "You're worse than a filthy, spineless bastard!"

Her words cut through the air like a blade, seething with unfiltered rage and betrayal. Humza stumbled back slightly, his eyes locked onto hers. She looked at him with a mixture of loathing, disappointment, and a deep, unbearable hurt that twisted something inside him.

Behind him, Sarah let out an audible gasp, clearly stunned by Anaabiya's unexpected outburst.

Humza had expected her to scream at him, maybe even throw a few accusations his way, but a punch? That was unexpected. Yet, in some twisted way, he couldn't help but admire her for it. Even now, when she should be broken, she stood tall, fierce, and unshaken.

But he couldn't let his admiration show.

Clenching his jaw, he quickly masked the flicker of respect in his eyes with a dark, intimidating glare.

Anaabiya turned on her heel, ready to leave, but before she could take a step, Humza reached out and grabbed her wrist, yanking her back against him with force.

His fingers tightened around her arm, his grip firm but not enough to hurt her. He leaned in dangerously close, his breath mingling with hers as his sharp glare bore into her.

But she didn't flinch.

Not even an inch.

Humza's eyes flickered down, noticing that she was now back in her usual modest clothing, her frame completely covered once again.

Had she worn that nightwear for him?

The thought sent an unexpected thrill through his veins, but he shoved it aside before it could weaken his resolve.

Double update ahead!

E D I T E D on 10.3.2025