ZAYD’S POV
I stood frozen.
I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop.
I was just walking toward the room to drop off the hospital report… and I heard his voice.
“I regret it.”
The words sliced deeper than I expected.
I wasn’t the only one lying in this mess.
But I was the one she’d have to live with. The one who made her sign a contract. The one who watched her break down and still kept her at arm’s length.
Guilt rose like acid in my throat.
Because I’d told myself I was doing this to protect her from my secrets, from my enemies. But in truth, I was protecting * myself.
From getting attached.
From falling too deep.
And I already had.
I turned around slowly and walked away. I needed air. I needed space.
But what I really needed... was to make things right.
Even if it was alre
