Betrayed on All side
"Why is my name on the news?" I shouted, rushing to Ameer's side.
Ameer held up his phone. The headline flashed across the screen.
"Bello's Daughter linked to the BriBery scandal… is her marriage a cover-up?
Dozens of pictures followed: I and Ameer at events, smiling, holding hands. All lies. Below that, a leaked video… the one from the safe.
My heart stopped. "That was supposed to be private?"
Ameer's voice was sharp. "Someone hacked my system".
"You promised this would stay quiet."
I promise your father wouldn't go to jail. You should have stayed out of the safe
I backed away, rage rising in my chest. "So
Is it my fault now?"
"You exposed yourself".
I trusted you! I cried. I married you to protect my family!"
Ameer stood, eyes dark with fury.
"And I'm trying to protect mine!"
You don't get to play victim when your father caused this war!.
That word again… war.
I turned to leave. "This marriage is a trap".
He didn't stop me.
My phone buzzed nonstop. Lami's message poured in. That's my best friend.
Lami: Are you okay? The news is everywhere.
Lami: "They say you know about the bribes, That you helped hide the money".
Lami: "Tell me this isn't true."
I didn't reply. I couldn't.
How could I explain that I was just a prown?
That I signed my freedom away to save the very man who ruined everything.
I locked myself in the guest room, refusing dinner, ignoring knocks.
Even when Ameer slid a note under my door, I didn't touch it.
I hated him.
But worse, I hate myself. .. for marrying into a lie.
...…
The next day, I got dressed and left the mansion without telling anyone.
I needed answers to this nonsense.
I took a taxi to my father's old office building, now renamed Hassan- Bello Group.
The guard recognized me and let me through.
The inside had changed. The logo was new. The furniture was different but the memories still hurt.
I walked to my father's old office, now Ameer's.
l slipped past a secretary and pushed the door open. But it wasn't Ameer inside.
It was a young man maybe in his twenties with glasses and curly hair.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"I'm looking for Mr. Hassan."
I am his cousin. Idris. I handle digital security?.
My eyes narrowed. Did you say…. Security?.
He smiled awkwardly. Yeah. I manage the network file password… boring stuff.
I stepped closer. "Are you the one who set up the safe in his office?"
He frowned. No that's his personal system, I don't have access.
I folded my arms. Then how was it hacked?.
He looked uncomfortable. "I'm not sure". It could have been internal.
You mean someone inside the company.
He nodded. "Possible".
I stepped back, my head spinning. "What if someone wanted to ruin both families."
Idris shrugged. Then they're doing a good job.
Later That evening. Ameer returned home to silence. I say on the living sofa, arms crossed, waiting.
You ignored me all day. He said.
"I went to your office".
He paused. "Why"
To see who has access to your files.
His jaw tightened. "And"
Your cousin Idris said it might have been someone inside who leaked the video.
Ameer sat down slowly. I have already started an internal investigation.
I studied his face. "Is it true your father was arrested?" I think someone is targeting both our families.
I don't think, he said darkly. I know.
"Then who is it, Ameer, who are we really fighting?"
He looked away. " I am not sure yet".
I stood. "Well figure it out fast because I'm not going to jail for something I didn't do".
"You won't".
You can't promise that. I said.
"Yes I can" He said, Standing too. Because now you're part of this war.
I looked him in the eye. Then tell me the truth. "Stop hiding things from me".
Ameer hesitated… then nodded. Fine, tomorrow I will take you somewhere.
"Where?"
"To see who really started this mess".
The next morning Ameer drove me out of the city. We passed long roads, trees and farmland. Until we reach a small private hospital.
"Who are we visiting?" I asked.
He didn't answer.
Inside we walked past nurses and turned into a quiet wing. We stopped at a door marked patient. Oq- ZAYD Hassan.
I froze.
"Your father?" I whispered. You said he was arrested.
"I didn't say he was okay."
He opened the door slowly.
Inside an old man lay on the bed plain and thin. Machines beeped softly, his eyes were closed, his breathing slow.
I stared, shocked. This was the powerful man who once ruled the business world. The one my father feared.
I stepped beside the bed and gently touched his father's hand.
"He had a stroke six weeks ago. The arrest was a lie to protect him, only a few people know he's here"
My mouth dropped. " What?"
He nodded. "That's how deep this goes"
My stomach twisted. And you think whoever did this also leaked the file.
"I know they did"
I stared at the old man.
"I hated him," I said shortly.I thought he ruined my family.
Ameer didn't answer.
Then he looked at me " he wasn't innocent. But neither was yours".
Silence stretched between us.
I brought you here because I want you to understand. He said.
"I didn't marry you for revenge. I married you to survive".
I blinked. "So you admit it wasn't about business?"
His eyes softened. There's more at stake than business. Someone's trying to erase both of our families.
I leaned against the wall, my thoughts racing.
"If both our fathers were being targeted …. Who was left to trust?"
That same evening, I received a call from a strange number.
I answered hesitantly.
"Hello?"
My heart pounded. "Who is this"?
"Meet me tomorrow. Behind the old Bello factory, I will bring proof."
Wait…. What kind of proof?
But the line went dead.
I looked for Ameer to tell him about the call..but I froze.
He was on the balcony speaking to a woman in a red dress.
I couldn't hear the words.
"But the woman suddenly leaned forward and kissed him. And Ameer didn't pull away."