Everyone in this household gave her so much love and respect that Ishmal found herself very closer to them. Especially Haider's Mom who actually reminded her of her mother with her gentleness and tenderness for her. When she started relating to Aqia with the woman she cared for the most in this world, she couldn't remember.

From Aunt to referring to her as mother; Ishmal herself didn't know how it happened. But it was the effect of the warmth this family offered her. They made her feel special and important, unlike the previous life she was living.

Today from Unaiza, she got to know that a few days later was Hiba's birthday. That little girl even was so friendly and loving with her that Ishmal liked her. She realized they were a set of amazing people who made her feel at home. Every one of them except him.

Except Haider and today, he made her comprehend this as well again.

Ishmal had no money right now with her but she wanted to buy Hiba a present for her birthday hence she asked Haider for it. However, she didn't know that he would humiliate her once again.

Those words from his mouth didn't hurt her. It made her agitated. Haider wanted to get away from every blame when their marriage would be over. He would inflict every responsibility to fall on her that it was her fault that their divorce happened because as per his wish and mindset, Ishmal wasn't a good wife and good daughter-in-law.

She would be portrayed as rude and who thought of herself as someone high hence she couldn't save this relationship. And Haider? He would make himself appear as a victim here. Someone who was sincere in this commitment but he didn't get a good girl.

How selfish this man was? He wanted to appear as a hero while depicted as a villain.

"What are you saying? There is no need to make any new relations. Don't call my Mom by any of such names. You don't have any relation to her. And about Hiba's birthday, you don't have to worry about anything. You are just a fake wife of mine..." He paused and lowered his tone. Even in such anger, he knew he couldn't spill anything. "So you don't need to act like one. Whatever will be necessary, I will tell you. So don't you ever call my Mom as I do? Understood?"

Ishmal took a deep breath while looking into his angry dark black eyes before she turned her heels. She left the room without giving him any answer. Because certainly, she had made up her mind. She wouldn't let all this happen.

It took Haider a few seconds to calm himself down and contemplate what he had done. He glanced at Ishmal and those straights strand of her hair falling on her back as she was going out. When he was left alone, he knocked his fist on the wall as he mumbled some curse words under his breath.

This could have been told to her calmly. But his anger never let any good to come to him. Every time he belittled her like this when it was he who agreed on giving mutual respect to one another.

This time it wasn't the fact that she had called his Mom by the word referred to as mother that bothered him. It was something else. Haider wished it was this but it wasn't. The reality that she evoked a desire in him for herself and herself reminded him of the deal of no touching in the contract yet herself doing exactly the same in another way that unhinged him.

Why everything was changing now? He was happy by staying in his shell for years. It was just hatred and contempt. His nice personality got darker and darker with each passing moment. He lost his cool at small things. The resentment for Nisha never let him think otherwise ever. He made that idea that no one would ever be able to undo that anger. He never let anyone break it, not even his parents.

However now it was happening. There was no hate. There was no fury. Even Nisha's thought and mention now didn't do anything to Haider. Because now Ishmal stayed on his mind despite his obvious aversion. Day and night; just every time.

Ishmal's oblivion from him made him furious when it should have prompted him to be happy.  She remained in his subconscious and thoughts every time. At night, her presence in his room and in such an accessible state always caused Haider to lose his mind and sanity.  There was no hate but a curiosity.

That was crazy but that's the truth.

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Ishmal was right now in the kitchen, cooking beef lasagna. Even though Aqia had stopped her because there were maids to do the work, however, Ishmal appeased her after all. She was getting bored from staying at home like this and doing nothing. Today Unaiza was also not here to give her company as her classes had commenced.

Ishmal didn't stop from becoming more open to them seeing their love for her. She wanted to abide by this contract as she herself was, not by orders of Haider which would only represent her as more fake than what was intended between them.

After setting the cooked lasagne in a beautiful glass platter, she came out. It was already one-thirty and soon enough everyone would be back home for lunch. Ishmal found Aqia sitting on one of the sofas of the lounge, ordering the a maid to clean Haider's room more diligently since Haider didn't like a small bit of grease and dirt there.

Aqia's eyes spotted her and then she smiled at her. Ishmal returned the favor and sat opposite her.

"You must have gotten yourself tired. I told you to take help from the maid," Aqia said, a soft expression on her face reminding Ishmal that how much she meant to her now.

For a moment, she also felt weird that she was breaking the hearts and trust of all those nice people by being a pretender. Maybe Haider wasn't wrong totally when he wanted her to not get free with his family. But if it didn't include as Ishmal has been appearing as an obvious reason for the break of this marriage, leaving Haider honorable, she would have done it. Yet that guy chose an easier oath for himself after forcing her do this marriage by using his position as a policeman. Nonetheless it was bound to happen like this.

"I did, Ammi. You don't worry," she mumbled.

Perhaps Aqia was thinking of her as someone from their elite class. Aqia was relieved to finally see Ishmal mingling with them after her noticeable anxiety in the beginning.

"I am very happy for both of you, Ishmal. I am so glad that Haider chose you as his wife. You compliment him and placate him. You have to take care of him very well, beta. He has some wounds which you have to heal because he had selected you to do this task. He must have seen this ability in you that's why he married you. Always love him and honor him. He will do the same, believe me. I wish both of you a very happy life," Aqia told her enthusiastically.

Ishmal's mind got static at the word wound. What did that mean? What was his family thinking of her as? So was there a reason behind his bitter personality?

Everyone was presented at lunch including Haider. When Aqia had announced that Ishmal had made that delicious lasagna, all of them praised her cooking. While Haider's grim eyes caught her face. She knew what he was thinking and ironically Ishmal wasn't a bit afraid now.

She didn't want the world to misunderstand her again just due to a man again after what her stepfather did with her.

Haider thought perhaps this would be made him angry that Ishmal didn't give a damn about what he said. She didn't stop herself from hanging out with his family. Even a while ago, he had heard calling his mother as Ammi by her again. Yet he wasn't furious. The way her plump lips were moving as she was chewing the food made him still.

They looked so attractive and alluring to him despite she wasn't considered that drop-dead gorgeous by the scale of beauty. But for him, right now Ishmal looked like the most gorgeous girl right now. When she noticed his unwavering gaze, she stopped chewing and pressed her lips together while licking her lower lip nervously. Something raw again rose in his veins and soon enough, he recognized what that was.

He suddenly felt a dire need to feel those damned lips on his. There was literally no emotion present in him right now at her apparent stubbornness than just to leave everything, grab her hand, and kiss the hell out of her.

The anger and the hatred all were falling apart. Only Ishmal's presence, the sight of her beautiful lips was there. And Haider wanted to make her his without caring for anything.

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AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi dear readers!

How are you?

A new chapter for you.

How is it?

Are you liking the story? Tell me your feedback so far?

Are you liking the fact that Ishmal is changing Haider? He is disturbed because of her lol.

Do you think even she is doing right by mingling with his family this much?

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Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. ❤❤