Chapter Sixteen (Last)Zoya took the first available flight, arriving in Sydney bleary-eyed and broken-hearted. She stayed with Khushi for a week, hardly coming out of her room, her eyes red from bouts of weeping, her slim body visibly shrinking as each day passed.
Khushi sat on the end of her bed on the seventh day and frowned in concern. Come on, Zoya. Don't take this lying down. Go and see him and tell him how you feel. Yesterday's paper said he's back in town now.'
I can't,' Zoya sobbed.
Yes, you can,' her friend insisted. You love him and you love Lily. He needs to know.'
'He hates me.'
How do you know that? Things might have changed by now. Who knows? True colors of Zoe might have set him straight.'
Zoya rolled on to her back and scrubbed at her eyes. It's my fault for not telling him the truth from the start. He has every right to be angry. He married the wrong woman.'
What rubbish!' Khushi said. He married the right one, if you ask me. You are everything he needs. You are loyal and faithful and would rather suffer yourself than hurt someone else. What more could a man ask for?'
Zoya's chin wobbled. I just wish I could tell him how I feel.'
Khushi got to her feet. Do it.' She handed her the phone from the bedside table. Call him now and ask to see him.'
Zoya stared at the phone for a long moment.
Go on,' she urged. What's his number and I'll dial it for you.'
Zoya took the phone with an unsteady hand. No...no, I'll call him.'
Good girl.' Khushi gave her an encouraging smile. I'll leave you to it.' She went to the door and turned back to add, Good luck.'
Zoya gave her a tremulous smile and, although she'd only said she'd call Asad to get her friend off her back, she looked down at the phone in her hands, surprised to see she had pressed more than half the numbers in already. She took a shaky breath and pressed the last three.
Zoya?' Mary answered on the second ring.Zoya! Where are you? We have been so worried! Lily is not sleeping and Asad is"'
Is she all right?' Zoya gasped.
She is missing her mother,' Mary said.
Where is Zoe?'
Mary made a noise of disgust in the back of her throat. Not that mother"you. Your sister is only looking to make money off her.'
What?'
She has asked for a huge amount in exchange for Lily,' Mary informed her.
Zoya closed her eyes. And...Asad? How...how is he?'
He is upset.'
I know.' Zoya bit her lip. I don't blame him.'
Where are you?' Mary asked. He's been looking for you.'
He told me he never wanted to see me again.'
That was then, this is now. Come home Zoya. Just talk to Mr. Khan once and I am sure everything will get sort out.'
I don't know if it can be sorted out.'
Lily and Mr. Khan needs you, Zoya. This is where you belong.'
After hanging up the phone she just sat and cried for a long time missing Lily and Asad.
Next day, Khushi had gone to work when Zoya heard the door bell ring.
She looked at her wrist watch wondering who would come around this time.
Zoya got a shock when she opened the door and found Zoe standing there. 'What are you doing here? And how did you know I was here?'
'So many questions at once! Aren't you at least going to invite me in?' She asked smirkingly.
Zoya stepped aside to let her enter, 'Now tell me why you're here?'
'By pretending to be me, you took away that was supposed to be mine.' She moved towards Zoya menacingly. 'Now I'll do the same.'
'What are you blabbering? What have I taken away from you?' Zoya sad, looking confused.
'If you have not stepped into my shoes, today I would have been Mrs. Asad Ahmad Khan. My dream of being married to a billionaire would have come true.' She gave Zoya a hateful look. 'But because of you, I've lost everything. Asad tricked me into signing the adoption papers, and refused to pay even a penny.'
'You deserve even worst punishment than this.' Zoya said smilingly. 'I'm glad Lily doesn't belong to you anymore.'
'Don't gloat. I have not given up yet.' She looked at Zoya with jealous angry eyes. 'You pretended to be me, now it's my turn to switch identities. The only thing remains to do now is to eliminate you from my life. Then I will live the rest of my life as Mrs. Zoya Asad Ahmad Khan.' She said while walking in a circle around her. 'Asad might have fallen in love with you, but it's me who'll enjoy warming his bed.
Zoya turned around and slapped her hard. 'I should have done this a long time ago. It is my fault that you have turned into this horrible person. I shouldn't have ignore or try to cover up you misdeeds.'
'Enough of your boring lecture!' Zoe came closer and grabbed her neck to strangle her. 'I hate you Zoya. What a misfortune I have! For the rest of my life, I'll have to adapt your boring personality.' She strangled her harder making breathing much more difficult for Zoya. 'For Asad and his fortune, I can make this small sacrifice.'
Suddenly the door burst opened behind them and Asad entered. Zoe abruptly left Zoya's neck, who fell to her knees, trying to catch her breath.
'Zoya', he shouted and ran toward her. 'Are you okay.'
She nodded and tears streamed from her eyes as she looked up at him.
Asad stood up and slowly started walking toward Zoe.
She could see the fury written across the face and eyes of the man who walked toward her. Swallowing hard, she took a step back.
'I never thought you'd stoop so low.' He gave her a head to toe disgusting look. 'You tried to kill your own sister. The sister who bear all the punishment for your wrongdoings. Who has sacrificed her life to keep your child safe.'
'Yeah, I want to kill her because I hate her. And if you don't pay me the money you've promised I will kill you also.' She said going frantic and throwing a flower pot towards him.
Asad ducked just in time to save himself from
getting hit. Before she can attack again, Asad moved swiftly and slapped her across the face.
'No one can harm a person who is protected by Allah himself. And now it's time you pay for your sins.'
Soon after the cops came and arrested Zoe for attempted murder.
Asad looked at Zoya who stood quietly the entire time. The whole incident has terribly shaken her up.
Zoya?' He stepped towards her, then stopped. Are you okay?'
Yeah' she said quietly.
Thank god you called yesterday and I was able to track your whereabouts.' He pushed a hand through his hair, making it even more untidy than it already was. What if I have not reached here on time today.'
But you did!' She gave him a grateful look.
How's Lily? What will happen to her now that Zoe is in jail.'
Your sister has signed the adoption papers already. She is our daughter now.'
'That's Great.' She looked at him with startled eyes.
They both stood silently for a while, not knowing what to say. Then both opened their mouths to say something, then both closed at the same time.
'You go first', he said while giving an affectionate smile.
I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for what I did. I thought I was doing the best thing for Lily but...I can see now how terribly wrong it was. I thought you would take her away from me but now I know you are not the tough man you pretend to be. You are...' She tripped over a little sob. You are the most wonderful man I have ever met.'
And You are Lily's mother in ways your sister could never be,' he said, his voice suddenly rough with emotion. I was wrong to speak to you the way I did. I was so angry at how you had deceived me. I never once stopped to think of what you had sacrificed in order to protect Lily from Zoe.'
W-what do you mean?'
A shadow of a smile haunted his mouth. Not only you marry me, but you were even ready to give yourself to me.'
Color seeped into her cheeks and she had to look away.
No.' He stepped towards her, taking her by the shoulders in a gentle hold so she had no choice but to meet his eyes. Do not hide the truth from me any longer. I want to know why were you ready to do all that for me '
I...' Her eyes fell away from his. I couldn't help it. I had never felt that way before.' She lifted her eyes back to his. I think I fell in love with you that first day when you came to my flat. You picked up Lily and you had tears in your eyes. I know you were grieving the loss of your brother but you still had room for her in your heart and were prepared to do anything to protect her. I had the very same feelings. It made me realise we were more alike than different. I couldn't help falling in love with you.'
He swallowed convulsively as he reached for her, burying his head into her neck. I have wronged you so badly. How can you love me?'
She felt the moisture of his eyes against her skin and hugged him tightly. I just do. No rhyme or reason. I just do.'
He pulled back from her, his expression tortured. I cannot believe I am hearing this. You mean you forgive me for what I said to you?'
You were angry.'
Not just angry,' he admitted ruefully. I was so hurt. I imagined you laughing behind my back at how you had fooled me.'
She gave him a quizzical look. I thought you said you never allowed yourself to get hurt?'
He smiled. You are not the only one who can tell lies, you know. Of course I was hurt. In spite of what I believed to be true of you, I had fallen in love with you. I wanted to believe you were not capable of the behaviour that had led to my brother's death, but every now and again you would remind me of it by acting like your sister. I had no choice but to think you were one and the same.'
And yet you fell in love with me?'
He gathered her closer. How could I not? You were always so loving towards Lily and you responded to me so delightfully. I ached for you day and night and, while I hated myself for my weakness, there was nothing I could do to stop myself from touching you.'
She sighed against the solid warmth of his chest. I can't believe you love me.'
He stroked a hand through her hair, pressing her to his heart. You had better believe it. I have been out of my mind these last few days trying to find you. I have not slept or eaten in days.'
She smiled up at him. Me neither. I missed you so much.'
He gave her a suddenly serious look. I have lain awake at night agonising over the ways I have insulted you. Do you know how wretched I feel? You are the most beautiful person, your nature is gentle and loving and your natural shyness so endearing. I have been such a fool for not seeing it from the first. If I had been thinking clearly I would have, but I was torn apart by Ayaan's death and my Abbu's demands to claim Lily no matter what the cost. I knew he was dying, time was running out and I had to do whatever I could to fulfil his last wish.'
Zoya stroked his jaw tenderly, her eyes shining with moisture. Don't be so hard on yourself. I was the one in the wrong. I should have told you right at the beginning when you came to my flat but I was frightened you'd take Lily away. I didn't think. I just acted on impulse and then it was too late to back out.'
I hammered on you,sweetheart ,' he said with regret. I can see that now. I was determined to show you for the money-hungry opportunist I believed you to be. I didn't allow for any other explanation.'
But it's over now,' she said. We have each other and we have Lily.'
But you have been cheated out of so many things.' His expression turned serious again. A proper wedding, for one thing. I do not know how I am going to even begin to make it up to you.'
She gave him a twinkling smile and nestled close. I don't mind so much about the wedding. I am happy to be with you and Lily. Asad, just take me home.'
Asad smiled as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her towards the door. 'Your wish is my command.'
A/N: I want to thank each and every one of you for taking out time to read and comment.
This wonderful story is an adaptation of the novel 'Bought for the marriage bed' by 'Melanie Milburne'. All the credit goes to the Author.
Thank you again everyone 😊 Edited by iluvasya - 9 years ago
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