Chapter 3
1021 Words
Alina’s POV
I stared into the mirror, wiping the makeup off my face. My eyes were red and swollen, streaked with tears I couldn’t stop. I’d just had the biggest fight with my mom.
And for the first time, I stood up for myself.
It felt strange—almost embarrassing—because I should’ve done it years ago. But my mother was the kind of woman who believed life had an order: men led, women followed, and children obeyed. Her love wasn’t cruel—it was conditional, wrapped in scripture and guilt.
Now that Elias is gone, she wants me devoted to the church. No distractions. No “ungodly temptations.”
She didn’t say it outright, but I knew what she meant.
She was afraid I’d fall—fall in love, fall into sin, fall away from the image she built for me.
But I couldn’t pretend anymore. So, I told her the truth.
About my affair.
She slapped me. Hard.
I just stood there, blinking through the sting. And for some reason, I smiled. Maybe it was shock. Maybe relief. But part of me felt free.
I changed into something simple and checked my phone. No messages from Zayn.
“Guess you’re tired of me too,” I whispered, forcing a smile. “You’ll leave like everyone else.”
The doorbell rang. My heart jumped.
I rushed to the door—and froze.
Zayn.
A shaky breath left me. “Hi—”
Before I could finish, he stepped inside and pulled me into his arms.
“I missed you so much,” he whispered, his breath hot against my neck.
I smiled into his shoulder, clutching him tighter.
“Please don’t do this to me again,” he said, his voice cracking.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered back.
When I tried to pull away, he wouldn’t let go. I let out a soft laugh.
“Zayn, let me go,” I murmured.
He finally loosened his grip. His eyes were glassy, rimmed with tears. My heart sank.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I am now,” he said, smiling.
Maybe those tears were happy ones.
“Come with me,” I said, taking his hand.
He followed quietly down the hall. Once in my room, I closed the door. He just stood there—watching me, waiting.
I sighed and sat on the edge of my bed. “Sit with me.”
He obeyed without hesitation.
When I turned to him, his eyes were exactly as I remembered—soft, golden, full of warmth that didn’t belong in this world. I reached out, threading my fingers through his hair. He didn’t move. Just stared, like I was something sacred.
And maybe, deep down, I liked it.
“Do you like me this much?” I teased.
“I love you,” he said instantly.
The words hit harder than I expected. My heart skipped.
“I love you so much, Alina.” His voice dropped to a whisper.
My fingers froze. The air thickened.
“Zayn… you know I’m older than you,” I said softly. “People wouldn’t understand.”
He didn’t care. He took my hand and pressed it to his chest. His heart was pounding.
“You feel that? That’s what happens every time you’re near me. I don’t care what anyone says. I love you. That’s all that matters.”
I pulled my hand away, chest tight.
“This is a mistake,” I murmured. “We should end this—”
He wrapped his arms around me from behind, trembling.
“No, Alina. Please. I can’t end this. Not now. Not ever.”
I froze.
His words weren’t loud, but they burned.
“My life has meaning because of you,” he whispered. “If you leave… everything dims.”
I felt him shake against me, his voice breaking apart in my ear.
And I knew that kind of fear. That hollow panic of being left behind.
“Zayn…” I turned, gently breaking his hold. Our eyes met. His were wide and scared—so much like mine used to be.
I cupped his face in my hands. He leaned into my touch like it was oxygen. Then, slowly, he kissed my palm.
Something inside me cracked.
Maybe it would be a mistake to end things.
But maybe… it would hurt more to lose him.
“I’m all yours, Princess,” he whispered. “I’ll never make you sad.”
I sighed. “Fine. I won’t end it.”
His grin spread, lighting up his whole face.
“But this stays secret,” I warned. “No one can ever know.”
“Of course,” he said quickly. “A secret.”
He hesitated, then looked at me with that same pleading softness.
“Promise me one thing?”
“What?”
“Don’t disappear again. I hate when you’re gone. It’s like I can’t breathe.”
I smiled faintly. “I promise.”
He hugged me again—tight, desperate.
“I love you,” he whispered.
I smiled into his shoulder, rubbing his back.
Then he pulled away, faces inches apart. The air shifted. His breath brushed my lips as he leaned in.
I turned my face away.
“No, Zayn. Not tonight,” I said quietly.
He didn’t argue. Just smiled.
“It’s okay.”
“Time for you to go,” I said, guiding him to the door. “I have to be up early.”
He nodded but lingered near the doorway.
Then he leaned close and kissed my cheek.
“Goodnight, Princess.”
And then he was gone.
I stood there, smiling to myself despite everything—the fight, the guilt, the chaos. Somehow, he’d made it all feel lighter.
I went back to my room, crawled into bed, and pulled the covers up. My eyes had just begun to close when the doorbell rang again.
I frowned. Maybe he forgot something.
I padded to the door, half-asleep, and opened it.
Then froze.
My smile vanished. My heart stopped.
“Elias?”
- Writer
