CHAPTER NINE
1050 Words
It was Aunt Hawa Zayd’s aunt, the aunt I was introduced to at the wedding
She looked at me, then at Aiden, and her expression tightened.
“You’ve met her already,” she said flatly.
Aiden shrugged. “She opened the door. What was I supposed to do, ignore her?”
She pulled me aside, her voice lowering as she looked me over. Her eyes softened in a way they hadn’t before. “You shouldn’t be here, Zara.”
My breath caught. “What?”
“You’re too innocent for this house. For him.” Her eyes flicked toward the hall, her meaning clear. “Whatever story they told you… be careful.”
I stared at her, my throat tightening. “Why are you telling me this?”
She didn’t answer. She just gave me a look a mixture of pity and warning and turned to leave.
Aiden stayed behind a second longer. “Zayd doesn’t tell people everything. Not even family. You seem nice. I hope you don’t get lost in all this.”
I stood in the foyer, heart pounding, the warning still echoing in my ears.
Too innocent.
Too naive.
And apparently… in the wrong place.
But why?
What was it they knew that I didn’t?
I didn’t expect Aiden to stay long. But when Aunt Hawa left, he made himself comfortable in the living room like it was his own house. I sat opposite him, still cautious, still trying to piece together the cryptic warning she’d dropped like a stone in my chest.
Then the housekeeper brought tea.
“Merci,” Aiden said smoothly, giving her a charming grin. She flushed a little and left us.
He handed me a cup. I took a sip, not thinking much of it.
We talked....or rather, he talked. He had stories, sarcasm, and a way of speaking like nothing could really touch him. I laughed once or twice, despite myself.
But something started to feel off.
My head grew heavy. Not tired. Heavy.
I blinked and shook it off. “I think I need to lie down..”
“Maybe you should,” he said gently.
But there was something strange in his smile.
I stood...barely. My legs felt weak. The hallway spun slightly.
I never made it upstairs.
I remember leaning on the wall… and then everything went black.
ZAYD’S POV
I came back earlier than expected. Something about the meeting didn’t sit right, and the traffic was light. By the time I parked in the driveway, a strange sensation had crept into my gut.
The front door was slightly open.
My study door was unlocked.
And Aiden was inside it.
He was crouched in front of the drawer I always kept locked trying to unlock it. My heart slammed against my chest.
“Aiden.”
He froze.
Then turned, slowly, with the fakest smile on his face. “Zayd. You’re back.”
“What are you doing?”
“Just curious. You always keep this place so locked up. Thought I’d take a look.”
My jaw clenched. “Where is Zara?”
He stood. “She’s resting. I think the tea made her drowsy.”
The blood drained from my face.
“You drugged her.”
He didn’t answer, which was answer enough.
I stepped forward slowly, dangerously calm. “Get out of my house, Aiden.”
He raised both hands. “Relax. I didn’t take anything. Yet.”
“I won’t tell you again.”
He left.
I didn’t move for a long moment. Then I ran upstairs.
“Zara!” I called out, my voice rising with each step. “Zara...where are you?!”
No response.
The hallway was empty. Her door was slightly ajar, the room untouched. Pillows in place. No Zara.
Panic twisted in my chest like a blade.
I turned, checked the guest room, the balcony. Nothing.
Did Aiden…?
No. He wouldn’t dare.
Or would he?
My mind raced back to his smirk, his calm audacity in my study. He had drugged her. That much I knew. But where the hell was she now?
I stormed down the stairs again and into the living room and then I saw it.
A pale hand.
Peeking from behind the long curtain by the dining area.
Rushing over, I yanked the fabric aside, and there she was curled on the floor, unconscious but breathing.
Relief hit me so hard my knees almost gave out.
She was still here.
He hadn’t taken her.
But he’d left a message.
He knew how to hurt me now.
And she was the weakness he’d use.
Zara was on the floor near the stairs unconscious, breathing shallowly but steadily. I lifted her gently, heart pounding.
Aiden had crossed a line by touching my woman .
I carried her to the couch, my mind spinning. Her pulse was steady but faint, her skin too cold. I grabbed my phone with trembling hands and dialed the family doctor.
“Dr. Nasir. It’s an emergency. Come to the house now. Zara's unconscious.”
I didn’t wait for a reply. I hung up and knelt beside her, brushing her hair away from her face. What had Aiden done? What the hell had he given her?
Within minutes, Dr. Nasir arrived with his portable kit. I stepped back as he checked her vitals, his expression tight.
“She’s stable, but I’ll need to take some blood samples and run some tests. I suspect a drop in blood sugar levels, possibly combined with anxiety or mild poisoning. She needs to go in for a general check-up first thing tomorrow.”
My heart dropped. “Poisoning?”
He shook his head. “Nothing lethal, thankfully. But we can’t be sure until we test. For now, she needs rest, fluids, and observation. I’ll stay the night.”
I nodded tightly, my fists clenched. “Thank you.”
After the doctor left the room to make calls, I sat by her side, guilt rising like bile in my throat. She looked so small, so fragile. And all I could think was this was my fault.
I brought her into this house.
I haven't controlled Aiden enough .
And now she was paying for it.
If anything had happened to her...
I don't even want to finish that thought.
- Writer
