The beach was just as Zoha imagined—golden sand stretching for miles, waves crashing in a rhythmic dance, and the air thick with the scent of saltwater and adventure.
Zafar had arranged the vacation, the first one they'd taken as a family, and Zoha couldn't help but smile at the sight of Ezra building sandcastles with Zafar by the water's edge.
It was perfect.
It felt like a new beginning.
As they walked along the shoreline, Zoha couldn't help but feel light, as though the weight of the world had momentarily lifted. It was just her, Zafar, and Ezra—the only three that mattered.
"This place is incredible," she said, taking in the beauty around them. "I'm so glad we're finally here."
Zafar's gaze softened as he glanced at her. "Anything for you, Zoha. You deserve this peace."
But beneath the calm, Zoha noticed something strange in Zafar's eyes. Something he hadn't shared with her yet.
"What's wrong?" she asked, slowing her pace to match his.
He hesitated before answering, his tone tight.
"Nothing," he said quickly, as if brushing it off. "Just… some old memories."
Zoha frowned, sensing that there was more to his words than he was letting on. Zafar, the man who always spoke his mind, seemed closed off—distant even, despite being right next to her.
"Zafar, you can tell me anything," she said, squeezing his hand. "You know that."
He looked at her, his eyes conflicted.
"I've been trying to protect you," he murmured. "There's something in my past I should've told you a long time ago."
That night, after Ezra had fallen asleep in his crib, Zafar led Zoha to the balcony, where they could see the stars stretching across the sky. It was beautiful, peaceful. But Zoha knew this moment was about to shift.
Zafar leaned against the railing, staring into the distance.
"I have a brother," he said quietly.
Zoha blinked in surprise. She had no idea.
"You've never mentioned him," she said softly.
"I've tried to forget him," Zafar replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't."
Zoha stepped closer, concern growing.
"What happened?"
Zafar hesitated. "My brother, Imran… he was everything to me growing up. We were close. We did everything together. But then he started making choices—bad ones. Dangerous ones. And he got involved in something I couldn't follow him into."
Zoha waited, letting him gather his thoughts.
"Imran was the one who pushed me into the dark side of our family's business. He wanted power, more than anything. But he took things too far. One day, I found out he was doing things that could have destroyed us all. So, I cut him off."
Zoha's heart raced as she listened, unsure of where this was heading.
"But he didn't take that well," Zafar continued, his voice tight. "He blamed me for everything. For 'betraying' him, for being the one who abandoned the family's legacy. And when I refused to help him again, he became my enemy."
Zoha's breath caught in her throat.
"Is he… still out there?" she asked, voice trembling.
Zafar nodded, his eyes darkening with regret. "I've kept my distance for years. I've protected you, kept Ezra safe. But I'm afraid Imran won't stay away forever. He's still watching. He's still angry."
Zoha felt a chill run through her. The man who had once been her safe haven, her protector, was now revealing that the past he'd hidden from her wasn't as clean as she'd thought.
"I don't want this to change us, Zoha," Zafar added, his voice pleading. "I've tried to keep you safe from all of this. But I can't protect you forever."
Zoha placed a hand on his chest, looking up into his eyes.
"You've done more than enough, Zafar. You've given me everything I've ever wanted. I don't need you to be perfect. I just need you to be with me. We'll face whatever comes together."
Zafar's jaw clenched, but the tension in his face softened as he looked at her.
"You really mean that?"
Zoha smiled, her heart full of love for this man who had carried so many burdens on his own.
"I've already made up my mind," she said softly. "I'm with you. No matter what happens."
Later that night, as they lay in bed, Zoha curled up against Zafar, feeling his warmth and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Despite the revelations of the day, she still felt safe in his arms.
"Zafar," she whispered, "I trust you. No matter what happens with your past, it doesn't change who we are now. And who we are now, together, is all that matters."
He kissed her forehead, his voice rough with emotion.
"I don't deserve you, Zoha," he murmured. "But I will spend every moment of my life proving to you that I'll never let you go."