Chapter Nineteen: The Line Between Truth and Silence
Angel waited until the kids were settled in their room,a cartoon playing at a high volume enough to grab their attention. She didn't want them to hear anything.
Zahid stood at the balcony doorway, his back to her, staring at the scratched symbol as if it was talking to him.
He didn't move when she stepped behind him.
"Zahid," she said quietly, "I need you to tell me the truth."
He didn't turn, he didn't want her to see his face, cause if she did...
"Not now."
"Yes, now."
He exhaled slowly, head dropping slightly, he knew this moment was coming and had hoped to delay it.
Angel folded her arms, grounding herself. "You said we're in danger. So explain it."
Still, no response.
"Explain," she repeated, her voice firmer than she felt.
Zahid finally turned to face her. His eyes looked tired, like someone carrying a weight he could no longer hide.
"Angelina," he said softly, "if I tell you everything, you won't sleep tonight. You won't let the kids out of your sight. You'll move differently. And that's exactly what he wants."
Angel swallowed. "Who is he?"
Zahid shook his head. "A loose end I should have tied up years ago."
"That's not an answer."
"I know."
She stepped closer. "You think I can't handle the truth? You think I'm weak?"
A faint crease formed at the corner of his eyes. "That's not what I think."
"Then tell me," she insisted. "Stop deciding for me, damn it!! "
He stared at her for a long moment, then looked away again, jaw tight.
Angel could see it, whatever he was keeping from her, it wasn't small. It wasn't something she could guess or brush aside. to both of them in ways she didn't understand.
"Did you know him?" she asked quietly. "Before? Did something happen between you two?"
Zahid's hand tightened around the railing. "Yes."
Angel's breath caught. "What did you do to him?"
Zahid lifted his head slowly, eyes meeting hers.
"What I had to."
Angel's stomach twisted. The answer was sharp, final… and vague.
"What does he want?"
Zahid's throat moved. "Me."
"What about us?"
Zahid's silence answered that without words.
Angel felt a cold line run through her chest. "He's using us to get to you."
Zahid stepped toward her quickly. "Angelina, listen"
"No, you listen." She held his gaze. "If you stay here, he'll come again."
Zahid didn't flinch. "He'll come whether I stay or leave."
Angel's breath shook. She didn't want to believe that, but deep down… a part of her already did.
"Why now?" she whispered. "Why after all these years?"
Zahid looked away again.
Angel's voice softened. "Does it have anything to do with the kids?"
Zahid's posture stiffened immediately.
Angel took a slow step closer. "Zahid… did he about our past ? Does he know... he thinks Malik and Mara are yours ?"
Zahid's jaw tightened. His silence spoke louder than any confession.
Angel covered her mouth. She felt something heavy settle in her stomach.
"You should have told me," she whispered. "You should have warned me."
"I didn't want you frightened."
"Well," she said quietly, "it's too late for that."
A long silence followed.
Downstairs, a gust of wind hit the side of the house, making the balcony railing creak. Zahid's eyes shot toward it instantly, his body tense in a way Angel had never seen before.
He was listening to everything, the gate, the street, the silence between each sound.
She touched his arm. "Zahid."
He looked at her.
"You haven't slept all week," she said. "You haven't rested. You barely eat. You jump at every noise. You watch the cameras more than you watch the kids. You're hiding things. You're carrying something alone. And I can see it."
Zahid's eyes softened for the first time that day.
"You don't have to do that alone anymore," she whispered.
Something flickered in his gaze, he appeared almost vulnerable for a moment . But it disappeared just as fast as it came.
"I do," he said quietly.
Angel felt her throat tighten. "Why? Why are you carrying all of this alone?"
"Because," Zahid said, voice low, "I am the reason he came back."
Angel blinked. "What?"
He looked away again, breathing slowly. "This started with me. Not you. Not the kids. Me."
Angel stepped closer, barely an arm's length away from him. "What happened between you two, Zahid?"
His hand shook slightly on the railing. It was small, almost invisible. But Angel saw it.
"I can't tell you everything yet," he said.
"Then tell me something."
Zahid closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them.
"A long time ago, he lost something important," he said slowly, choosing each word carefully. "And he believes… I am the one who took it from him."
Angel stared.
"And now," Zahid added, "he wants to take something important from me."
He didn't have to name what, or who.
Angel felt weak for a moment.
"We need the police," she said.
"No." Zahid's voice was immediate, sharp. "If the police get involved, he'll take it as a challenge. Angelina… you don't understand the kind of man he is."
"Then make me understand!"
Zahid stepped back. "If I talk too much, you'll start looking over your shoulder every second. You'll hear a noise and jump. You'll lose sleep. You'll lose your peace."
Angel stared at him.
"You're already losing yours," she whispered.
Zahid did not deny it.
A small sound came from the hallway Malik's footsteps.
Angel quickly wiped her face and forced her breathing to calm.
Malik stood by the door, rubbing his eyes. "Mommy? Is Uncle Zahid staying again today?"
Angel froze.
Zahid looked at her first, like he was waiting to see her answer.
Then he looked at Malik.
His voice was gentle when he responded.
"Yes, little man. I'm staying."
Malik nodded sleepily and walked back to the room.
Angel watched Zahid as the boy disappeared from sight.
"You can't stay forever," she said softly.
Zahid looked at her, something unreadable in his eyes.
"I know," he whispered.
Angel felt her chest tighten.
Zahid stepped away from the balcony door.
"I'll be in the living room," he said. "Call me if you hear anything."
Angel nodded, though her throat felt tight.
He paused before leaving.
"And Angelina…" he added, "don't stay by the windows tonight."
Then he walked out.
Angel stood alone by the balcony doorway, her hand on the scratched symbol, her heart trembling at the thought she couldn't ignore anymore
Zahid was preparing for war.
And she didn't know if he was going to win or not.