Chapter 46: A Dangerous Game

The night had fallen heavy over the city. It wasn't just the darkness that made Zafar uneasy—it was the palpable tension in the air, the foreboding feeling that something catastrophic was just around the corner. Zoha was safe, for now, but Zafar knew that Nashir's threats were more than just words. He had already proven his willingness to destroy everything in his path.

Zafar sat in his study, the glow of the desk lamp casting harsh shadows on his face. His mind raced with plans, contingency measures, and escape routes. But none of them felt like enough. He needed to do more—he had to ensure Zoha's safety at all costs.

Zoha had always been strong, but the events of the past few days were starting to take their toll. He could see the strain in her eyes, hear the faint cracks in her voice whenever she spoke. She was scared, and so was he. But he couldn't afford to show it. Not now.

The Dangerous Call

His phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with an unfamiliar number. He hesitated before answering, his instincts telling him this wasn't just another business call.

"Zafar," came the voice on the other end, low and dangerous. "You think you've won? You think you can just take what's mine and walk away?"

It was Nashir. The venom in his tone was unmistakable.

Zafar's grip tightened on the phone. "You've made a mistake, Nashir. You pushed me into a corner, and now you'll regret it."

A mocking laugh echoed through the line. "Regret? You haven't even seen the worst of it yet. You think I'm finished? I'm just getting started. Your precious Zoha won't be safe for long. Neither will Ezra."

Zafar's heart clenched at the mention of his son. His voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "If you touch them, I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life."

There was silence on the other end before Nashir spoke again, his tone cold and calculating. "We'll see how far you'll go, Zafar. I have more power than you can imagine. You're in my game now."

The call ended abruptly, and Zafar slammed the phone down on the desk, his thoughts racing. Nashir wasn't just threatening Zoha and Ezra—he was threatening everything Zafar had built, everything he had fought for. And Zafar wouldn't let him win. Not now. Not ever.

Zoha's Decision

Zoha stood by the window in her apartment, her back to the darkness outside. She could feel the weight of everything pressing down on her. The danger was real, and yet she refused to be intimidated. She wasn't just Zafar's wife; she was the woman who loved him with everything she had, and she wasn't going to let Nashir tear that away from her.

Her phone rang, breaking her thoughts. It was Zafar.

"Zoha," he said, his voice steady but with a hint of urgency. "I need you to listen to me. You're not going to the shelter tonight."

She frowned, the concern in his voice not lost on her. "Zafar, I'm fine. I've been through worse. You don't have to—"

"No," he interrupted, his voice sharp. "You don't understand. Nashir's threats are getting worse. I need you to stay with me tonight. No arguments."

Zoha bit her lip, her heart sinking. She could feel the anxiety in his words, the raw fear that he was trying so hard to hide. "I'll be okay, Zafar. I won't let him scare me away."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and then Zafar spoke, his voice quieter, more vulnerable than Zoha had ever heard it. "I can't lose you, Zoha. Not now. Not when everything is falling apart. Please, stay with me."

Zoha's heart clenched. She had never heard him speak with such raw emotion before. It was as if, in that moment, he had laid himself bare for her to see—the cold, calculating mafia boss was human after all. He was scared. And she was the one thing he was terrified of losing.

"Okay," she whispered. "I'll stay. I trust you, Zafar."

The Trap Is Set

By the time Zoha arrived at Zafar's mansion, the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Zafar had already taken precautions, and the security around the estate had been heightened. But Zoha knew that even with all the security, Nashir was dangerous. He didn't play by the rules.

Zafar met her at the door, his face tense, but his eyes softened when they met hers. For a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. All that mattered was the two of them, standing in this moment together.

He took her hand gently, leading her into the study where they could be alone. The air between them was charged with unspoken words, emotions too raw to voice. But Zoha didn't need words to understand. She could feel the weight of everything they were facing.

Zafar closed the door behind them and turned to Zoha. "We need to prepare for the worst. Nashir isn't going to stop until he's destroyed us. But we'll be ready for him."

Zoha nodded, her resolve hardening. "I'm not afraid of him, Zafar. And I'm not going to let him break us."

The Unthinkable Move

It wasn't long before Nashir's next move came. Zafar's phone buzzed again, and when he saw the message, his stomach dropped.

"I've got something precious of yours. Don't make me use it."

A picture of Zoha, taken earlier that day when she was at the shelter, appeared on the screen. It was clear that Nashir was watching them closely, always one step ahead.

Zafar's eyes darkened as he gripped the phone tightly. "He's playing a dangerous game now."

Zoha stepped closer to him, her heart racing. "Zafar, what's happening?"

"We can't let him control us," Zafar said, his voice a low growl. "He's trying to break us. But we won't let him."