Shadows and Second chance

Zainab was still adjusting to the calm of her new life with Yusuf and Amira. The second proposal had gone viral on social media. Her book The Real Wife was set to launch. Everything felt like it was falling into place…

Until he walked in.

Tall, charming, with sharp eyes and a devil-may-care grin.

Khalid.

Yusuf's younger brother.

The one everyone whispered about but rarely saw.

"Congratulations, big brother," Khalid said, voice smooth. "Didn't think you still had romance in you."

Then his eyes landed on Zainab—and lingered.

"So… this is the woman who brought Yusuf to his knees."

Zainab stiffened, feeling something shift in the room.

Yusuf stood protectively near her. "Don't start, Khalid."

Khalid smiled. "Relax. I'm not here to stir trouble."

But Zainab wasn't so sure.

---

💔 That Night…

Zainab stood on the terrace, flipping through old photos of Amira. The wind carried a hint of storm.

Then Khalid joined her.

"You know," he said, "I always wondered who could tame my brother. Now I see… it wasn't taming. It was strength. You're the strongest woman I've seen walk into this family."

Zainab narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"

He chuckled. "To understand. To know if you're happy. Or if you settled."