Stay With Me

Chapter 6: The Awkward Morning

Chapter 6: The Awkward Morning

Morning.

Ayesha woke up late. Her face was red just remembering last night.

She went downstairs. Zayan was already there, having coffee. In a perfect suit. Like nothing happened.

"Good morning," she said quietly.

He didn't look up from his newspaper. "Morning."

Cold. Distant. Like last night was a dream.

The maids were watching. The tension was thick.

At breakfast, he finally spoke. "We have a charity event tonight. Be ready by 7."

"Okay."

"And Ayesha." He looked at her for the first time. His eyes were guarded. "What happened last night... don't get ideas. It was the storm. It won't happen again."

Her heart sank.

"Yes, Mr. Khan," she said, standing up. "Contract first. Feelings last."

She walked out, holding back tears.

Later that night at the charity event, cameras flashed.

Zayan held her hand, smiled for photos. The perfect husband.

But the moment they were alone, he let go.

"You're doing great. Keep smiling," he said.

Ayesha smiled. But inside, she was breaking.

Why did it have to feel so real?

Why did it hurt so much?

When they got home, Zayan went straight to his study. No goodnight. No look.

Ayesha went to her room and cried in the shower. The contract said no love. But nobody told her heart.

She touched her lips. They still remembered his kiss. And she hated herself for wanting it again.