The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the Al-Fayed estate, casting a golden glow over the grand dining room. The air was thick with the scent of saffron-infused eggs, honeyed dates, and freshly baked khubz, but Nadia barely touched her plate.
She hadn't slept. Not really. The weight of last night's confrontation still sat heavy on her chest, her father's disappointment pressing down like an iron hand.
Across from her, Ayla was uncharacteristically quiet, occasionally sneaking glances at her sister. Mama sat beside Baba, sipping her coffee, unaware of the storm about to be unleashed.
Then Zafir cleared his throat.
The shift in the room was instant.
Nadia stilled, fork hovering over her plate as she started praying, hoping that her premonition from last night is not about to come true. Isla glanced up from her cup, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly at her husband's tone. Even Ayla, mid-bite into a buttered croissant, froze.
"I have something to announce," Zafir said, his voice calm, measured—like he was discussing a business deal rather than dropping a bomb on his family.
The pause stretched long, suffocating. Then—
"I've accepted a marriage proposal for Nadia."
The words landed like a physical blow.
The room fell into absolute silence. Even the staff lingering near the entrance shifted awkwardly, sensing the eruption about to happen.
Nadia's breath caught in her throat.
Isla set her cup down with a sharp clink. "I'm sorry, you've what?"
Baba didn't flinch at the sharp edge in his wife's tone. "I've agreed to a proposal. For Nadia."
The chair scraped against the marble floor as Nadia pushed back from the table, hands gripping the edge. "You can't be serious."
He didn't even blink. "I am."
"Are you out of your mind?!" Ayla snapped, slamming her fork onto her plate. "You're marrying her off like she's some business asset?"
Baba's jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady. "watch your tone Ayla, this is to protect her."
Nadia let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Protect me? By selling me off to some stranger?"
His expression darkened. "Zayn Alaric is hardly a stranger."
The name hit her like ice water down her spine.
Zayn Alaric.
The name carried weight, power. He wasn't just any businessman—he was the businessman. A man who had built an empire so vast, so untouchable, that even her father—one of the wealthiest men in the country—was forced to acknowledge him as superior.
The youngest billionaire in their world, ruthless, brilliant, untouchable.
And now, her fiancé?
Mama stood abruptly, her chair nearly toppling over. "Zafir, tell me you didn't just make this decision without speaking to me."
His lips pressed into a thin line, and that was all the answer she needed.
Isla let out a shaky breath, fury and hurt flashing in her dark eyes. "I can't believe you."
"It's already done," Baba said firmly. "The marriage certificates will be sent from the Civil Affairs Bureau soon. All she has to do is sign."
"All she has to do?" Nadia's voice trembled with rage. "So I don't have a say in this? My life, my future—none of that matters?"
He exhaled sharply, as if trying to keep his patience. "Nadia, you've seen what's happening. This scandal is ruining you. No matter how competent you are, no matter how much I love you—right now, you are vulnerable, two weeks from the three months ultimatum i gave you is already gone Nadia. Zayn Alaric is the only man powerful enough to shield you from what's coming."
She clenched her fists. "So I'm supposed to just hand over my life to him? Because you think he can protect me?"
"Yes."
The simple, brutal finality of it stole the breath from her lungs.
Ayla was shaking in pure outrage now. "This is insane! You're actually forcing her into this?"
Baba's gaze softened—just a fraction—but his voice remained resolute. "She has no choice."
Nadia stared at him, the man she had admired, the man she had spent her entire life trying to prove herself to, and for the first time—she felt something splinter between them.
Something raw. Something that might never fully heal.
Mama was livid. "You went behind my back, Zafir."
He turned to her then, and for the first time, there was something vulnerable in his gaze. "I did this for her."
"I don't care why you did it," she snapped, stepping closer. "You should have spoken to me before deciding our daughter's fate."
Ayla crossed her arms, eyes blazing. "You're unbelievable."
A long silence stretched, tense and suffocating.
Then, quietly, Nadia asked, "Does he even want this?"
Baba met her gaze. "He brought it up."
Her stomach twisted.
Why would he?
Zayn Alaric was untouchable. Feared. Worshipped. A man like him didn't need an arranged marriage to get what he wanted.
So why would he want her?
A shiver ran down her spine, but she lifted her chin, masking the unease with cold fury. "I will never love him."
Baba exhaled, as if exhausted. "That doesn't matter."
Mama inhaled sharply. "Zafir."
"It doesn't." His voice was edged with finality. "Love isn't what will keep her safe if we're to be honest."
The words settled heavy in her chest.
Nadia swallowed. "And if I refuse?"
His eyes darkened, but his voice was soft. "Then you will lose everything."
The air felt thin.
Mama's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to argue—but deep down, she knew.
Zafir never bluffed.
Nadia's hands trembled at her sides, but she forced herself to stay still, to meet his stare head-on.
Then, slowly, she exhaled.
And with a voice quieter than a whisper, she said,
"I hope he's worth it."
Then she turned and walked out of the dining room.
Mama and Ayla were on their feet in an instant, rushing after her, but not before Isla turned back to her husband.
The glare she gave him was pure fire, a silent promise.
And then she was gone, leaving Zafir
This is not over.
He was left alone in the suffocating silence of his own choices.