She is yours," Danta said with a gentle smile.
Selena's smile was tight as she touched Zara's shoulder. "Zara, dear, get ready. Wear something pretty."
Zara stiffened, her brows narrowed in confusion, and disappointment tightened in Zara's chest. "Mom... I am not..." Before she finished her sentence, "Adam, you can wait in Zara's room," Dante's deep voice cut in.
Why doesn't anyone hear me? The silent scream echoed within Zara. It's like I'm living my life just for their happiness. With a numb nod, she absently walked into her room, her face with no expression. "I am stupid... Even my own family treats me like a stranger. But why? I don't deserve this," she murmured, watching her reflection in the mirror. She grabbed the towel and went to the bathtub to relax.
Adam just entered her room with a casual swagger, one hand tucked in his pocket. His gaze swept over the discarded dress, heels, and diamond chain on the floor. A slow smirk touched his lips as he bit his lower lip. " Irresponsible wifey..., but I like that," he murmured. He bent down, picked up her heels, and gently opened the slipper cupboard, placing them neatly.
Then, he took her dress, folded it, and put it on her bed. His eyes softened as he looked at the fabric. "You looked amazing in that dress, but I didn't get a chance to compliment you." His phone buzzed, interrupting his last moments, and he pulled it out from his pocket. His happy smile faded slowly as he read the display. His jaw tightened. "Yes," he answered.
A strained female voice crackled through the speaker. "Adam, please... talk to me. Where are you, Adam?"
Tension coiled in Adam's shoulders, his eyes flicking towards the bathroom door. "There's nothing to talk about, Ashley," he said, his voice deep and irritated, etched on his words.
"Adam, please, why can't you understand? I love you so much. I'd do anything for you! Anything... But Zara treats you like shit. Can't you see that she doesn't deserve a person like you? "Ashley's words were thick with unshed tears.
"Just stop, Ashley. Don't say another word about Zara. You know why I haven't blocked you. You're my childhood friend, and you know everything about me, how much I love her and how much I did... "Adam replied.
"I cared for you more than you think. Zara is gonna hurt you... You deserve more, Adam. It's okay to accept the facts sometimes. "Ashley paused, her voice in pain. " She's not the one."
"No..... "Adam's eyes throbbed, his gaze fixed on the bathroom door. "I can't even imagine another woman in my life, Ashley. Try to understand me, you're the one... I spend more time because I saw you as a friend, sister, but I never imagined you as a partner."
Silent stretched for a minute, then "Haha... "a harsh, disbelieving laugh echoed from the phone. "Adam, baby... have you forgotten about the past? She might love you now, but when her memories come back, she'll never be yours," she hissed, her soft voice turned deep tone. A chilling pause, only the tapping of her pen on the table echoed on both sides. "You don't have a choice, baby. At last, you left nothing except pain. Then.... I am the only one who gonna give you a comfort zone."
What if she told everything to Zara.... No... never. I let this happen. Adam thought his hands clenched into a fist, his jaw tight, his eyes fixed straight and hardened. "That's not your problem. " A confident smirk appeared on his lips. "I'll do anything for her, Ashley. Anything. You know what I mean....." His voice dropped, laced with a chilling menace.
Ashley remained silent for a moment. "Huh? You're threateningme."
"I am not, it's just a warning, just stay away from her," Adam murmured.
Adam," Ashley finally said, her voice softer, tinged with a strange note of pity. "You can't stay someone's shadow forever. I really feel bad for you as your friend... and your unrequited lover." The line went dead.
"Ashley," Adam murmured, his gaze still distant. He turned abruptly, drawn by a delicate rose fragrance. Zara stood just inside the bathroom doorway, a towel wrapped around her, her wet hair cascading down her chest, catching the soft light. Her bare legs gleamed under the light. Adam's breath hitched. He forgot to blink, and his heartbeat peaked.
"Adam," Zara said, her voice sharper this time, pulling him back to the present. Speaking with her again, she thought. "Can you just... wait outside?"
"Huh?" Adam stammered, a blush creeping up his neck. "I am just Readling a book." He fumbled for the nearest book, his eyes still fixed on her.
"Huh? What are you talking about? Zara exclaimed, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes, "Are you losing your mind? How can I change ?"
"Yes," Adam said softly, his gaze unwavering. "Since I saw you."
Zara rolled her eyes, a small, involuntary smirk on her lips. " You need treatment but this is not gonna work out," she said and walked towards her dress closet, her eyes scanning the hanging dresses before settling on a vibrant red mini frock. She turned back to the dressing room.
After a moment, Adam swallowed hard, his eyes following her curvy body as she moved. "Adam, just control yourself," he murmured to himself. "You look great, breathtaking, I don't know how to describe your beauty." Still, his eyes were fixed on her.
He must tell this to every girl, Zara thought dismissively. " Don't eat me in your mind. I am just coming for my dad. Don't hope anything from me," she said coolly as she grabbed her lipstick from the dresser.
Adam chuckled, "Don't start anything. I just want you to have a good Sunday." He closed the distance between them, gently taking her hands, "After our marriage, you don't have to get permission. Do whatever you want, Zara. Just be yourself. And be happy." His voice was deep and sincere, his eyes searching hers with the same love.
Adam, you're making me miserable, but I don't this is real or fake. If it's real, then why did you kiss her that day? Zara's thoughts raced. She pulled her hands from his, "You're good at this, aren't you? Making women fall for you. You probably say that to everyone." She stepped closer, her voice low and challenging. "And don't tell me what to do. I am doing what I want, Adam."
Adam's eyes furrowed in confusion, "Everyone? I don't get it. I just... want you to happy" he said.
Zara stopped putting her makeup, her brows arched in disbelief, "Happy....." she turned, watching his eyes confidently. "Are you sure? "
Adam's confusion peaked, and slightly tearing up, "Why? Why do you always doubt me? Have I done something else? Please, Zara... I want the answer?"
His knees hit the floor with a soft thud, his gaze locked on hers, pleading, holding her hands like a baby. "I've never... never begged like this before. I can't lose you, Zara. I love you so much, but you always see me as some kind of villain. If I did something wrong, please, just tell me. We can solve it." His voice was thick with emotion.
Zara's eyes widened in shock, her hands trembling in confusion. Her gaze drifted to the neatly folded dress on her bed, a stark contrast to the earlier chaos. She reached out, her fingers brushing his shoulder. "Adam, we are leaving," she murmured, her voice low.
You can't even open up, I am literally begging Zara.... But you are just avoiding my question, he thought. Without hesitation, he pulled his hand away from hers and slammed his fist against the floor beside her feet. The sharp thud echoed in the tense silence.
Before another hit, Zara placed her hand on the floor, stopping him. He froze; his gaze fixed on her hand. "Stop.... Please, Adam... I'm so confused. Why are you even doing this? I can't really accept that...." she said.
Adam remains silent and watches the floor.
"You want the answer?" She sighed, "Okay.... You kissed Ashley... on my bed... just a month ago. And now... now you're kneeling here, hurting yourself. It doesn't make any sense. " A bitter smile touched her lips, then faded. "Which one is the real you, Adam?"