The King's Sinful Obsession

Chapter 10: The Battle for Mother

No one in the penthouse had slept since the events of the previous night. Having returned at dawn, they sat in the living room as coffee cups were emptied and refilled in a relentless cycle. Ariyan stood on the balcony. He lit a cigarette, took a drag, put it out, and lit another. Only one thought consumed him: his mother.

Raisa stepped onto the balcony and took the cigarette from his hand. "Enough."

"I have to go, Raisa. Today."

"I know. But not alone."

"I'm going alone. This is my war."

Raisa looked into his eyes. Gone was the old arrogance; in its place was an exhausting mix of weariness and iron resolve. "If you go alone, you won’t come back. And I cannot afford to lose you."

"Then what do you want?"

"I want us all to go. Jarif, Maira, Tasnim—everyone."

Ariyan remained silent for a long moment before shaking his head. "No. This is a family matter. Between me and my father. I don't want to drag you all into this."

"You didn't drag us. We came of our own accord. Because you are our family."

Jarif’s voice drifted from behind them. "Raisa is right. We’re going. Whether you want us to or not."

Maira stepped forward as well. "I’m going too. I’ve already called Tasnim. She’s on her way."

Ariyan looked at them all, his eyes welling up. He quickly wiped them away. "Fine. But you follow my lead. No one does anything until I say so."

They all nodded in unison.

**10:00 AM – Ariyan’s Father’s Estate**

Jarif pulled the car up to the front of the massive house. Ariyan stared out the window. This was the house where he grew up. On this balcony, he had dreamt of the future. In this garden, he had picked flowers for his mother. Today, he was entering as an enemy.

Guards were stationed at the gate, more than usual. The number of CCTV cameras had also increased. Ariyan stepped out of the car, followed by Raisa, Jarif, Maira, and Tasnim.

A guard stepped forward. "I need to inform the Master first."

"I am the son of this house," Ariyan said coldly. "There is no need for an announcement."

Ariyan walked straight inside, and the guard didn't dare stop him. He crossed the corridor and entered the drawing room. His father was there, sitting in his wheelchair, watching the news. He smiled at Ariyan—a smile that remained as toxic and calculating as ever.

"So, you’ve come. I knew you would."

"Where is Mother?"

"Upstairs. Resting. Do you wish to see her?"

"I’ve come to take her with me."

His father let out a dry, raspy laugh. "Take her? Where? To your penthouse? To that tiny little place?"

"She’ll be safe in that 'tiny place.' Far away from you."

His father’s eyes narrowed. "I am her husband. She stays in my house."

"You aren't her husband. You are her executioner. You made her sick. You drugged her."

The room went still. His father turned his wheelchair toward Ariyan. "Can you prove that?"

"I can. I have all the evidence. I'll give it to the media. The whole world will know the truth."

"Then do it. I’m not afraid. Because no matter what you do, I am your father. That bond never breaks."

Ariyan stepped closer, standing directly over his father. "I don't acknowledge that bond. You aren't my father. You’re a monster."

For the first time, a flicker of pain crossed his father’s eyes. He looked away for a moment before looking back up. "Fine. Take her. But on one condition."

"What condition?"

"Accept my proposal. Join my side. I intend to become the Prime Minister. You will be my heir. I will hand all the power over to you."

Raisa stepped forward. "It’s a trap. Don’t agree to it."

Ariyan looked into his father’s eyes. What did he see there? Affection? No. Greed. The hunger for power. "I refuse. I don't want your power. I want my mother."

His father’s face darkened. "Then you won't get her. I’ll move her today. Somewhere far. Somewhere you’ll never find her."

Ariyan’s hands began to tremble. He looked at Raisa; she shook her head 'no.' But then, Ariyan did something that shocked them all—he fell to his knees at his father’s feet.

"I am begging you, Father. Give me my mother. I’ll give up everything. I’ll destroy the evidence. I’ll leave the country. Do whatever you want—just give me Mother."

His father gasped. He hadn't expected this. His son—the boy who never bowed to anyone—was kneeling at his feet. A silence stretched between them. Then, his father laughed. This time, there was a strange glint in his eyes—was it a hint of affection, or just another act?

"Fine. Take her. But you leave the country by tonight. If you don't, I will personally destroy you."

Ariyan nodded. He hurried upstairs to his mother’s room. He pushed open the door and found her lying in bed, eyes closed, face pale, an IV drip in her arm. He took her hand.

"Mother... I’m here."

She slowly opened her eyes. Recognizing him, tears began to flow. "My son... you came?"

"Yes, Mother. I’ve come to take you home."

She reached out a weak hand to touch his cheek. "I knew you would. I waited every day. Your father kept me prisoner."

"I know, Mother. But I’m taking you away now."

Ariyan lifted her into his arms. She was so light, her frame frail and skeletal. Tears blurred Ariyan’s vision as he carried her out. Raisa moved in to help, and together they settled her into the car.

His father stood in the doorway in his wheelchair, his face devoid of emotion. "Remember. Leave by tonight. Or I will do exactly what I promised."

Ariyan looked back at him. "I’m not leaving the country. I’m staying right here. And I’m going to show the world who you really are."

His father roared, "You betrayed me?!"

"You’ve betrayed me my entire life," Ariyan shouted back. "Today, I’m settling the score."

The car sped away, leaving the house, his father, and the ghost of his past behind. His mother’s head rested on his lap; Raisa held her hand. Ariyan closed his eyes. He knew the war wasn't over. This was only the beginning.

**2:00 PM – The Penthouse**

A doctor had been called to examine his mother. The verdict was grim: she was severely weakened, her body ravaged by the wrong medications. It would take months for her to recover. Ariyan sat by her side, never letting go of her hand.

She opened her eyes. "What did your father say?"

"He told us to leave the country by tonight. But I’m not going."

"Then what will he do?"

"Let him do his worst. I’m not afraid. You are safe here."

She squeezed his hand. "I’m so proud of you, son. You chose the right path."

Ariyan kissed her forehead. "Just get well. I’ll handle the rest."

In the other room, Raisa, Jarif, Maira, and Tasnim were in deep discussion. Ariyan joined them.

"What’s the plan?" Jarif asked.

"The evidence goes to the media. By tomorrow, it will be on every channel. My father is finished."

"He might try something tonight," Tasnim warned. "My father said he’s dangerous. He won't hold back."

"I’m ready. I’ve increased security at the penthouse. No one gets in."

Raisa took his hand. "But if something happens..."

"Nothing will happen. I’m here."

"I know. But still..."

Ariyan pulled her into a hug. "I won't die. Because you are here. As long as I have you, I have a reason to live."

As evening fell, the city lights began to twinkle outside the window. Ariyan’s phone rang—an unknown number.

"Ariyan, it’s Sajid."

"What do you want?"

"Your father is planning to finish you tonight. I found out. I thought you should know."

"Why are you telling me this? I thought you were on his side."

"I was wrong. You really have changed. I didn't see it before."

Ariyan was silent for a moment. "Thank you. But I still don't trust you."

"You don't have to. Just be careful."

The line went dead. Ariyan told Raisa everything. She was terrified. "What do we do?"

"We wait. And if they come, we face them together."

**10:00 PM – The Penthouse**

Everyone was awake. The lights were low, the curtains drawn. Ariyan held a knife; Jarif gripped a baseball bat. Farhan stood guard outside the door. Tasnim stayed with his mother.

Suddenly, the roar of engines erupted below. Multiple cars. Ariyan looked out the window; nearly ten cars had pulled up. Men were spilling out, armed with sticks, chains, and makeshift weapons.

"They're here," Ariyan said.

Jarif moved toward the door. "I’ll handle them."

"No. We stand together."

The security downstairs tried to stop them, but they were outnumbered. The mob burst inside. The elevators had been disabled, so they began storming up the stairs. Ariyan went to the door, Raisa right behind him.

"Stay inside," Ariyan commanded. "I’ll talk to them."

He stepped out into the corridor. Seven or eight men stood there, and behind them was his father in his wheelchair.

"So, you’re here, Father?"

"Last chance. Give me the evidence. Or no one walks out of here alive tonight."

Ariyan laughed. "I’m not giving you anything. In fact, I’ve already called the media. They’ll be here in ten minutes. Do whatever you want to do."

His father’s eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

"You heard me. If anyone takes another step, the whole country will see who the real monster is."

His father’s hands shook. He looked around. His men were hesitating, backing away. No one wanted to be caught on camera.

"I will destroy you!" his father screamed.

"You didn't come here to destroy me. You came here to lose. Today you lose, Father. To me. To the truth."

The sound of sirens wailed in the distance. The police. The media had arrived too. His father’s face went pale. He quickly spun his wheelchair around. "Everyone out! Now!"

The mob scrambled away. His father retreated. Ariyan leaned against the doorframe, his hands shaking, tears streaming down his face. Raisa stepped out and pulled him into a hug.

"You won, Ariyan."

"I didn't win. The truth did."

The police and media swarmed the floor. Ariyan handed over everything—the videos, the documents, the flash drives. His father’s crimes were now public knowledge.

That night, no one slept. They sat together—even his mother joined them, her frail body leaning against the cushions. They talked, they laughed. For the first time in years, Ariyan rested his head in his mother’s lap.

Raisa sat beside him, holding his hand, her eyes filled with pride. She knew that the man she loved had won the greatest battle of his life. Not just against his father, but against the darkness within himself. And he had won it through the power of love.