**Zahra**
My weak body lay on the unfamiliar bed as I opened my puffy eyes in a different room. The next thing I saw was the golden glow of the sun shining through the window.
I didn't know how I ended up at Lena's place but I could vividly remember having a conversation with her after that incident.
I couldn't move my body, I just watched as the world was a different place for me. Totally.
It is not a nightmare after all. Even without seeing my reflection, I could sense how miserable I would look.
Before I could process anything again, the door was opened wide with full force but slow footsteps.
My brain was confused, and chills went down my spine. "Lena?" I spun towards the door and she lay her back on it with her face expressionless.
As though contemplating whether to tell me or not. Or wondering if I'm already aware of whatever she has in mind?
Her silence was getting so unbearable at this point and she sensed my discomfort too. "You…I mean I hope you slept well?"
"I know that's not why you're here. Just spill," I cut in firmly as I sat upright on the bed and took my phone from the other end.
Instantly, my body stiffened when I saw missed calls from the one person I've been mourning since yesterday.
How's that possible?
My world stopped making sense that second and everything around me was crashing around me. I don't know why, but I thought I was supposed to be happy, just maybe he's still alive.
Before my thoughts faded away, my phone buzzed loudly again and snapping through my thoughts.
It was him - my ex-husband, my boss and the only man my heart melt for. The man my entire world revolves around - Evander Waltz.
Yes-my boss. The Waltz group - the centre of all laboratory research companies in the whole of the USA is his.
Currently, we're researching something very vital, that would turn the world into a better place.
This has been my entire life goal and I guess that hasn't changed yet. It is as though this is why I was born. I've never fancied working with my father because of this sole purpose.
My team and I are researching a permanent cure for cancer. As it stands, it's almost at the pipeline and my sole support is my boss, and now my ex-husband.
I've lived for this. I've sacrificed everything for this. And there's no going back on it.
"Zahra," his voice was normal and I froze.
For the past three freaking years, this is the name that hasn't slipped through his lips if I'm not exaggerating.
My heart was beating so fast and Lena stood rooted to the ground. The guilt clouded her.
"Evander, the guests are waiting, and you know it's not good to keep your bride waiting, right?" A familiar voice cut in sharply and my stomach dropped.
"Mom, give me a minute," he replied softly, unconcerned about any damn thing.
Instantly, my heart stopped beating and my head was about to explode that second. I shut my eyes as I tried to breathe through my mouth.
Just maybe this is a dream!
My throat choked as my mouth hung open and my mind froze. I didn't know what to say or even do.
"Relax Zahra. Please," Lena said in a low tone as though she knew what I had just heard, and she hurried towards me.
"Evander!" Rage coloured my voice that second.
"There's no need for you to overreact right now. Okay? This. Is. Over. Don't make it hard."
"I didn't actually know getting you to sign the divorce papers would be easy peasy. Wait, did I just say divorce papers?"
"Come on, I'm sure you didn't notice, huh?" His became dangerously low and I froze.
"Whether those papers were signed or not, that charade was over. But anyway, my bride did a great job, you know," his voice was so cool and nonchalant.
"What?" I didn't realise the minute a teardrop fell from my eyes.
"You thought that charade was a forever deal? Come on, we were just bound by a freaking contract. Wake up!"
"You're fucking damn good at what you do," he breathed his words in a clipped tone.
"Regardless of your experiences in this laboratory research, you're just so naive and dumb!"
Tears formed in my eyes as my eyes slowly met Lena's. "So you're not dead! All was just a lie, huh? A freaking lie!"
I bit hard on my lower lip. "A plot for me to sign those damn…! This is not the Evander I exchanged vows with. Oh my God!" I was still sounding like that, the word he just used to describe me.
"Ahh, there you go again. Wake up Zahra!" his voice pierced through my heart like a needle.
Lena kept patting my back, and that was a confirmation to me that she's aware of this.
Just maybe today too, definitely not yesterday.
"Hey baby, check this out. I'm feeling like a queen, right?" The voice made my heart stop beating completely.
Is that the bride he's praising right now? Oh no! It's just a silly joke!
Just maybe I'm losing it. The only question that's stuck in my head is, "Where did I go wrong?"
"Whoa! Stunning as always, baby," fulfilment laced his voice.
"Wh…at! Betty? How? Your sister?"
"Wow! You have been smart for a minute and guessed right. My sister? Hell no! You were just so dumb and didn't notice!"
"Who's that?" That demon asked him.
I can't even believe this right now!
"Not anyone important, my love," he replied softly, and I could hear that sound. That was a kiss.
Emotions wrecked my entire soul, and Lena kept consoling me, patting my back.
"Everything is set for us, let's make this happen," I heard hushed tones and my blood was colder than ice.
My mind was blank, and I could clearly see my own world crashing in my own face, but I couldn't fix it.
I spat tears pooling down my face, and my body was about to collapse once again.
That bitch has been married for the same years as I was to that idiot.
What the fuck is happening right now? Since the minute I set eyes on this bastard, he was the air I breathed and - now my downfall.
Suddenly, a sarcastic laugh rang in my head. "You heard that huh? I can't keep my bride waiting, you know I'm a gentleman," the audacity in his disgustful voice.
"But let me make this clear to you. You actually rejected my kind gesture huh? Great. That research project and everything about it belong to my wife now. And let's say I'm still kind, you can still work at the company, since you're a rare gem!"
My hard work? I've lived the best of my life for this project and just like that. He's giving it out to that motherfucker.
"You will regret this, Evander!" For the past five minutes of that bastard's blabbing, those were the only words I managed to say to him.
He broke into a great peal of laughter. "Really? Your silly ass is nothing without me, Zahra!" Those were his last words that rang in my head.
I hate to admit that all the funding for this research is from this useless cow and that's why he sees it deemed fit to let my sacrifice just go like that.
To that leech and ingrate!
Suddenly, my heart plummeted into the pit of my stomach as his betrayal fuelled his determination.
Meanwhile, Lena's hand hung in the air all that while and she pulled the phone from my ear without my notice. "Fuck you Evander!" She screamed, but by then, that wasn't my concern, but rather the headline on her phone.
"Evander Waltz eventually weds his childhood sweetheart, Betty Lorne," the headline reads.
For the past 24 hours, I can't describe what's happening to me. Everything was perfect with Evander. Literally every damn thing!
We were one of the enviable couples and now this. Why didn't someone tell me that my life was just a lie? A fucking big lie!
I thought loving someone was just a feeling until he came into the picture. He was my protector, my hero, my CEO, my everything.
I thought couples who have their relationships under the rocks experience this. Look at me. I was just a fool and was stupidly used.
"I was as shocked as you're Zahra. I didn't know how to tell you. All the story of his death was a plot and a lie just to make you sign those divorce papers."
"Look at me, Zahra. This is his loss. Okay?" I didn't even realise she was saying anything as tears were flowing down my cheeks.
I sobbed as I struggled to breathe. "Betty? No, I can't believe this. For three freaking years, I've known her as his sister and to think that she was talking me out of signing those divorce papers. She is not just taking my position in his but also my sacrifice and hard work. Hell no!" A bitter laugh tugged on my lips.
"She's a bitch. In fact, they're all idiots and will regret messing you up like this."
Instantly, I took a sharp breath. "You know what? I can't live to witness this, let me end it once and for all!" My voice was desperate and loud as I broke free from Lena with force.
Before she could realise and get hold of me, I was out, standing on the last floor of the building, holding the metallic frame, about to jump down.
"Don't, Zahra! Think about your sick mother! She would die of heartbreak!" Her voice was loud and I paused.
"I have an idea, let's give that that a chance," she added as she laid her hand on my hunched shoulders and she whispered some words in my ears.