Chapter★5 "Jealousy and Desire"

Time passed, and the wedding was drawing to a close. Huda stepped out in her final outfit—a simple yet elegant white kaftan she had chosen instead of the traditional white wedding gown. It was tasteful and graceful. Adam entered with her, holding her arm. Dressed in a sleek black suit, he looked more like a bodyguard than a groom, especially with his stern expression and heavy-footed walk. He was clearly fed up with the whole thing and just waiting for it to be over.

They took a few photos with their families and went straight to the dessert-cutting. Soon after, the moment came for the newlyweds to leave. Everything was ready. They exchanged farewells with family and friends, receiving heartfelt blessings for their new life together. Samira was in tears, hugging her daughter tightly—meanwhile, Huda was cold, not shedding a single tear.

Samira, with teary eyes, embraced her and whispered with love:

"Take care of yourself, be wise, listen to your husband, and give this relationship a real chance—for both of you."

Huda didn't respond. She just nodded. Then she moved to her father, who was quietly waiting. He didn't say a word, but his eyes spoke volumes. She didn't say anything either—she simply bowed and kissed his hands respectfully. She greeted her brothers and Salma, then turned toward Adam, who was waiting by the door.

He extended his hand; she took it, and they walked out together. He helped her into his car, then got in himself. Without wasting a second, he drove off.

---

Back at the venue, Anas sat in his parked car, staring at the hall. He had watched her walk out, hand in hand with her husband. The same way he had once walked her out too, on their wedding day. His chest tightened—he had imagined their love story ending differently. His hand reached for the ignition. A part of him was screaming to follow them, to take her back by force.

A knock on the window snapped him out of it. Through the dark glass and the haze of alcohol, he could barely make out the figure of a woman. He lowered the window—there stood Salma. She gestured for him to let her in.

As she sat beside him, the smell of alcohol hit her hard. She glanced at his disheveled hair, sunken eyes, and the empty liquor bottles at his feet.

Salma (sarcastic):

"Congratulations, I guess? You got your heartbreak, and I got my pain. Perfect ending, huh? What even is this state you're in?"

He looked at her without emotion.

Anas (coldly):

"You here with a message from her? If so, talk. If not, get out."

Salma (mocking):

"Oh, I've got a message for you. But I won't tell you. Not just yet."

She turned to open the door, but he pulled her back by the collar, their faces now inches apart. His warm breath hit her cheek.

Anas (angrily):

"Tell me. What did she say? I'm burning inside."

She looked at him for a long moment before replying softly:

Salma (quietly):

"She doesn't deserve you, Anas."

His eyes narrowed.

Anas (confused):

"What do you mean she doesn't deserve me? Did she say that?"

Salma:

"No. I did."

Anas (furiously):

"I didn't ask what you think. Tell me what she said. What did she tell you?!"

Salma (spitefully):

"She didn't say a damn thing. She didn't even send you a message. You weren't even a thought in her head. She laughed and danced through her wedding like she was on top of the world. Huda has already seen a future without you—with another man."

His eyes flared.

Anas (shouting):

"What the hell are you saying?! Get out of my face!"

Salma (with a bitter laugh):

"And that was just my words. Imagine if you actually heard hers…"

Then she pulled out her phone and played an audio recording—Huda's voice. Anas listened, eyebrows furrowed, and soon his face contorted with shock. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The words were hers, but the content felt foreign—cruel.

More recordings followed. His face twisted from disbelief to rage.

Anas (clenching his jaw, shouting):

"I swear I'll kill her! I'll kill her and that bastard with her!"

He slammed his hands on the steering wheel.

"She's not getting away with this!"

He started the car and sped off like a madman, running red lights, nearly hitting cars. His vision was blurred by fury.

Salma, terrified, clung to the seat and screamed every time they nearly crashed.

Salma (trying to calm him):

"Where are you even going?!"

Anas (shouting, drinking straight from the bottle):

"I'm going to her! She thinks she can just leave me?! Like I'm nothing?! I'm Anas! No one tosses me aside like that!"

She sighed sadly, knowing deep down he didn't deserve this pain.

Salma:

"Do you even know where she is?"

Anas:

"No, but you do."

Salma (nervously):

"No, I swear I don't! She didn't even know where they were going—it was her husband's plan!"

Anas (laughing bitterly):

"Her husband, huh?"

Salma:

"Just stop the car. Please. You're too angry to think straight."

Anas:

"No. Now I'm thinking clearly."

---

Elsewhere…

Huda was wandering around the suite in her white dress. It was a luxury five-star hotel—well known, often visited by celebrities and tourists. She walked around, exploring, until she reached a large glass door with the sea stretching beyond it.

The door creaked open—she knew it was Adam. She looked toward the entrance. He didn't even glance at her. He placed his keys on the table and silently removed the wedding ring he had just worn. Then he looked at her. She stared back.

She walked toward the door to grab her bag. As she bent down, her long dress got caught beneath her, nearly making her fall.

Suddenly, she felt his hands on her waist, steadying her from behind. She turned to see what he was doing.

Adam (quietly):

"Let me."

She stared at him, unsure. When she didn't answer, he gently moved her aside with his hands still on her waist, then effortlessly picked up the heavy bag as if it were nothing.

Adam:

"Where do you want it?"

She nodded toward the bed. He set it down. She walked over to open it, but his voice stopped her.

Adam:

"Are you hungry?"

Huda (quickly):

"No, I'm not."

But her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl in the silence.

Adam laughed softly.

Adam (grinning):

"So what do you want me to order?"

Embarrassed, she answered:

Huda:

"Anything, really."

Adam:

"I don't think 'anything' is on the menu. Choose something that actually exists."

She smiled faintly.

Huda:

"Pick whatever you think I'll like."

He nodded, grabbed his phone, and began placing an order. She sat, unzipping her bag, stealing glances at him from the corner of her eye.

Then, suddenly—he took off his shirt.

She gasped silently. Her eyes followed the outline of his broad shoulders and defined muscles. He opened the glass door and walked out toward the ocean. She stood by the window, watching him dive into the waves, disappearing into the night sea.

She rummaged through her clothes for something to wear. Her eyes landed on a sleek, black satin chemise—elegant, short, and a little daring. She grabbed it and went to shower quickly.

She removed her accessories, tied up her hair, and let the water rinse her skin, careful not to wet her hair. After drying off and moisturizing, she put on the chemise, brushed her hair, kept her face natural but freshened it up with cream and perfume.

Just as she stepped out of the bathroom, she crashed into something firm—no, someone.

She gasped. Her eyes widened. Her chest was pressed against his, his hands behind her back, steadying her.

She looked up at him—his wet hair dripped over his sleepy, red eyes. She placed her hands on his chest, trying to gently push him away, but he didn't budge. If anything, he pulled her closer.

He stared at her, as if memorizing every feature, then his gaze dropped to her lips.

A single drop of water fell from his hair, landing on her lips. She licked it away unconsciously.

That movement... would have driven any man crazy. But Adam wasn't just any man.

He let her go, stepping back as he noticed how the wet fabric clung to her skin, revealing the outline of her curves.

Adam (quietly, with a half-smile):

"Oops... Didn't mean to bump into you."

He stepped around her and headed to the shower, leaving her standing there—speechless, flushed, and overwhelmed.

Huda (to herself, flustered):

"No... I can't let myself fall for him this fast."

She shook her head, trying to cool herself down, gathering her things and pushing aside the feelings he stirred in her.

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To be continued… 🌟