---
Zainab had changed.
She woke early now, dressed confidently, joined the staff meetings, and even started asking questions about the family business.
One afternoon, she walked into the home office while Yusuf was in a meeting. Everyone paused. Yusuf raised an eyebrow.
"Is there something you need?" he asked, his voice calm but cold.
Zainab smiled sweetly. "Actually, yes. I want to learn how this business works. I'm your wife, remember? Or at least that's what the world thinks."
There was silence. Then Yusuf stood and nodded toward a chair.
"Then sit. Let's see what you've got."
---
Days turned into weeks. Zainab began shadowing meetings. She surprised everyone—especially Yusuf—with how sharp she was.
One evening, after a long business dinner, Yusuf poured himself a drink.
"You're different now," he said quietly.
"Not the shy girl I married."
Zainab replied without looking at him:
"Maybe I was never shy. Just... trapped."
He watched her. For once, he had no comeback.
---
But not everything was peaceful.
One day, Zainab returned home to find that same woman from before—Lana—sitting in the living room, legs crossed, smirking.
"So you're the little replacement bride," Lana said mockingly.
"He'll get tired of your attitude soon enough."
Zainab stood tall. "Funny. I was thinking the same about you."
Just then, Yusuf walked in, shocked to see both women.
"What is she doing here?" Zainab asked, calm but sharp.
Lana smiled. "I was invited."
Yusuf looked between them and said nothing.
But Zainab understood.
He still hadn't chosen.
He still didn't respect her.
That night, Zainab wrote a letter and left it on his desk.
> "If you keep playing games with my life, one day you'll wake up—and I'll be gone."
---