Salaam readers,

I loved every single comment received on the previous chapter :)

I was being dragged from my room to the another and I reluctantly allowed her to do so. It was too exhausting to throw another fit.

My gaze met Aahil's and I screamed out loud. He was bound to a chair, his whole body covered with bruises that had turned purple.

"Yaa ALLAH, what have they done," I tried loosening the grip safa had on my arms, "Let go of me."

Lissa came forward and gripped my shoulders, "Stay right here."

"Don't do this, Lissa." I sobbed, but she wouldn't let me.

Aahil looked at me through his bloodshot eyes, which had turned purple too, "Aleena, don't cry like that. Please......"

"He is absolutely right, crying isn't healthy for pregnant women," Safa drawled.

Aahil gestured me to stay calm and I leaned back against the wall, my weak knees buckled and I sank down to the floor.

Aahil's eyes were filled with unshed tears and my heart went out to him. He said something to me but I wasn't able to read his lips. I lifted my eyebrows in questioning gesture but before Aahil could repeat his sentence, my vision was blocked by a pair of legs.

As I surveyed the man who stood before me, I couldn't help but gasp out loud.

Noor stood arrogantly with one hand in his trouser pocket and the other resting on Aahil's shirt collar. "We have important things to solve than watch love birds."

'"Why did they have to hit him so badly? How could you witness it, Noor?" I questioned blandly.

"Oh, stop the melodrama, dear sister. This is a game of power and we don't let the overrated emotions weaken us."

"You are already weak, as you have let evil rule your heart and mind."

Just then Rizwan entered the room in his immaculate grey suit, looking perfectly fit and healthy. His laughter echoed through the room, "Anyone do me a favour and gag her with gingerbread. I'm in no mood to listen to her religious philosophies, and let her know that Aahil's mother and Noor are on our side."

I glared at Noor, but he returned a vague smile as he took his seat beside the huge window and began helping himself with a piece of chocolate flavoured scone and coffee.

Safa went to the wooden cabinet present in the corner of the room and the room fell deadly silent as all eyes focused on her.

She returned a few minutes later with tape and cloth, fulfilling the task given by her dear father.

I struggled but Lisa's grip on my shoulders did not falter and they were successful in clamping my mouth shut.

"It's because of your mistake that your husband is in such a bad state," Safa delivered annoyed.

I tried asking how, but only whimpering sounds came out through my sealed lips.

"Darling, don't listen to them. They are only trying to make you feel bad," Aahil stated, pressing a hand to his swollen lips and winced in pain.

"Using hypnotise was just a waste of time. What's the use of password if we do not possess the laptop or your dad's security system? Even after being subjected to immense torture your husband has not disclosed anything. So now we have only one way left," Rizwan said coldly.

"What is it?" Lissa enquired.

"Torture his wife until he cannot handle it anymore. He thinks that he is very smarty pants."

Safa came forward with a wicked smirk on his face but was stopped by her father. "Safa leave the irrelevant things for the sweet and loving family to perform, we have other useful things to do."

Safa nodded her head and followed Rizwan reluctantly.

I closed my eyes hoping to ward off this terrible nightmare. "Aleena," the very voice that had been melody seemed to sound eerie and I closed my ears.

A gentle touch on my shoulders made me wince only to find her crouching beside me. She wiped my tears, enveloping me close.

I cringed from the touch, but her hold on my shoulders were warm and comforting. Her body shivered as loud sobs escaped her lips, "How are you, Aleena. You are expecting and all this is so wrong."

My gaze held hers in surprise, "What games are you trying to play?"

Noor came forward and separated her from me, "You are going to blow the cover if you breakdown at this point."

She crushed me to her one last time and said softly, "Everything is going to be fine. We are so proud of you," She then dried her cheeks and stood beside Aahil. Effortfully switching her expression to indifference.

We heard footsteps revealing a smug-looking Isaac, who was sent to check on us. He stood silently for some time, his gaze never leaving mine, he then shook his head and left conveying some message to Noor.

"Aahil? What is going on?" I enquired as the feeling of exhaustion overcame me and I blinked several times to stop myself from entering the deep slumber that threatened to consume me.

Noor removed Aahil's handcuffs and patted him on his shoulders, as mom hurriedly locked the door.

Lissa ushered me towards Aahil and I stared at her in bewilderment.

"Go. Speak to him."

"And you'll allow me?" I enquired in a haze, still unable to grasp the changing traits of people around me.

Aahil's embrace made me cry. I couldn't speak.

His response was to gather me closer, "Darling," He placed his hands on my stomach and smiled through tears, "Things are going to turn better InshaAllah. I'm so happy."

My blurred vision never left his face. I was sure all this was an illusion. I had to be dreaming.

He leaned his head on my forehead and several moments passed by in silence. He sighed as he gently traced my bruised temple, "Does it hurt?"

I shook my head, "Now that I'm in your arms nothing has the ability to hurt me."

"Alhamdulillah, you are safe. I was at the verge of losing myself. I'll never forgive myself for not being able to protect you."

"But you wouldn't have possibly known their trap."

He nodded with a grim expression and blinked back the tears.

"Are you crying for these people?" I asked throwing my hands in exasperation.

He shook his head and a gentle smile gazed his life, he gathered me close once again, "If my family hadn't put their own lives in danger, then I would never have reached you."

I gasped at his confession and sent a questioning gaze at mom and she only began crying harder, "I wouldn't have been able to live if anything befell you or Aahil."

Noor came forward and hugged his mom, "You have been very brave and I'm so proud to be your son."

"Rizwan had been trying from ages to manipulate mom. He even tried to poison her mind by stating it unfair of dad to pass his business on to me, as noor should have received an equal share. She was aware of his motives. They approached her again a few months back, regarding the research papers and promised to pay if she provided information," He closed his eyes, lifted his hand to his bleeding mouth wincing in pain and I asked him to stop speaking.

"Mom agreed to the proposal when Aahil had an accident in the laboratory as she realised how dangerous Rizwan could be. She met him the next day and made a deal that they include her in their plans and in return she would help them gain access to the house. It was a great proposal and Rizwan couldn't refuse, but mom was worried sick so she asked me to come down. She convinced Rizwan that even I was on their side," Noor paused and drew in a ragged breath.

"I was asked to help and I agreed as Aahil's dad has helped us a lot. And that is the sole reason for staying in the villa, as Noor wanted me to stay close to both of you and keep watch," Lissa rushed breathlessly. Noor passed her the water bottle from the table and there was no mistaking the soft gaze he had on her.

"How are we going to get out of this mess?"

"We have gathered enough evidence. Hopefully, the police will be here soon accompanied by Hamilton,"

"What ----?" I panicked.

"What is it?" Mom inquired.

"I don't trust him. Uncle Haroon fled from our house because of him."

Aahil let out a deep sigh, "We can only hope for Allah's help to come. I have already received the biggest blow of my life, and any other Betrayer won't be able to break me anymore."

"Who?" I asked, my stomach sinking.

"DILSHAD IS RIZWAN FAROUQUI'S SON."