Blood Or Bond
Zainab thought she had faced every betrayal.
Until her mother showed up at her door.
Not crying.
Not apologizing.
Just… cold.
"You've embarrassed us enough," her mother said.
Zainab blinked. "You're the one who sold me off like property."
"I gave you a chance to live like royalty."
"No, you gave me a life sentence in someone else's name."
Her mother's face twisted. "If you don't take this nonsense down, your father could lose his job. Your sister could lose her scholarship."
Zainab stepped back.
"So I was just… your sacrifice?"
"You were the quiet one," her mother snapped. "The obedient one. That was your place."
Zainab's voice shook—but not with fear.
"With all due respect, I'm not your daughter anymore. Not like this."
And she closed the door.
---
Later that night, Yusuf found her sitting on the balcony, shoulders stiff, eyes glassy.
"She came," Zainab whispered.
"I heard."
"I think the worst kind of pain isn't from enemies... it's from people who should love you."
Yusuf sat beside her.
"Then let's build something different."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out two rings — simple, but elegant.
"I want to marry you again," he said softly. "Not because we have to. But because I want to."
Zainab looked at him, stunned.
"I'm not the same girl."
"I know," he whispered. "That's why I'm asking the woman you've become."
---
She didn't answer.
Not yet.
Because the next chapter of her life?
She was writing it on her own terms.
---