For quite a long time, no one talked to him about Nisha. None even tried to give any justification for what happened eight years ago in either his or her favor as well. Their attitude was neutral whenever they asked Haider to think about his life again. Where Nisha was their dearest niece and cousin, at the same time, he was the beloved son and doting elder brother for them.

Today for the first time, someone had brought Nisha's mention in front of him. And that was not anyone; it was his wife. And Haider thought he wouldn't be able to control the devastation that was lurking in his veins, causing his every sense to become numb. That woman was a weak point of his hurt ego and whenever he used to see her or hear about her, he always lost his calm like this.

But now it was different. Ishmal had hit on another place as well. No one had ever tried to tell him how wrong he was to become this cold-hearted bastard that he even hurt his own family in the beginning just because of the betrayal of that woman. Even he acted badly with that innocent, helpless girl as well who was his wife just because she was a woman like Nisha. Maybe today as well he was about to plunge his hatred for Nisha on Ishmal but his changed feelings for her came in the way.

Ishmal was gone now and suddenly those emotions again resurfaced which were present before her. Haider curled his fingers in a fist and smashed it on the wall angrily.

What was happening to him? He never wanted to fall into this mess at all. He knew he would never be able to live a contented life like this. His ego was bigger than anything and that was the reason, he never overcame the wound inflicted on it. But now it involved the stupid feelings as well which were for Ishmal. That feeling to possess her, show the whole world that she was his, and not to let her go forever.

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Ishmal directly came into the kitchen after that heated argument with Haider. Why does she have to react so much? He could have done anything from her side. It was not like she would have stayed with him for her whole life. But by doing this, she had definitely woken up a demon inside him who was sleeping earlier. The monster in him which he always warner her from. And it wasn't a suspect even now that his ex-fiance was the reason for how he was today. Yet she got herself into this problem like this.

As she reached there, she could find maids working. Ishmal stood against the counter and took a deep breath to calm herself down. Instinctively her fingers went towards her neck. She moved then slowly and it made her recall what happened in the room. Ishmal's cheeks reddened as she bit her lower lip. How could she let that happen? And on top of all, why did she like it and even show that arrogant man that she liked what he did?

"Bhabi, you aren't coming for dinner?" It was Unaiza's voice that caused her to come out of her thoughts.

She looked at the glasses girl whose curious eyes were fixed on her.

"Huh?" She whispered blankly but then her question hit her. Ishmal shook her head and brought a smile to her face. "I am coming. Just wanted to check that everything is alright."

Unaiza nodded. "Is Haider Bhai coming?"

Ishmal swallowed. "He said he will come after having a shower."

She lied but she hoped that he would come.

"Come then. Let's go. Everyone is waiting." Unaiza held her hand and she could just stare at her.

She called Haider arrogant but perhaps she was doing much worse than this. She was ditching all those nice people. Ishmal decided she wouldn't be keeping up with this now. She would end all this. She couldn't live with Haider now when he had started to touch the strings of her heart.

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The next day, Ishmal was in the bedroom. She was packing all of her dresses in a suitcase. She had concluded that she would leave this place. She couldn't just continue deceiving all of them. Also, she couldn't remain Haider's wife for forever, especially when all he could give her was the bitterness because of his ex-lover. Her stupid heart was chanting for him but it should know that they could never be together from the real start. It was her mistake to feel something for that guy who was in her life just temporarily.

That was a warm day and now the sun was at its full might, scattering its bright rays everywhere. The others were out for their classes while Haider and his father were at their workplace. It was a perfect time for Ishmal to sneak away without coming into anyone's eyes as Aqia always slept for a few hours after breakfast with the rest of the family.

From her side, Haider could label her fleeing to his parents as how he wished. Now she didn't care. How ironic it was that at first, she fought with him because he wanted to do it but now it was out of her mind. She couldn't live in this marriage where her husband would consider her as someone else and take out his frustration at her whenever he saw that woman. She would never meet these people again so it shouldn't matter what they could think about her.

She needed to go back to her mother now. The woman she loved the most in this world and who would be in didn't know whatever state without her. Ishmal wanted to reach her as soon as possible without caring for her stepfather.

She zipped the suitcase and with much difficulty, she managed to get it on the floor.  Just when she was about to walk ahead, the door got pushed by someone. In a split second, it was ajar and Ishmal's heart almost came into her throat due to terror. The other person was revealed to be Haider who first looked at her face and then at the handle of the suitcase in her hand. Ishmal gulped in anxiety. Why did he come at this time?

"What's happening?" He asked in confusion.

Ishmal licked her lips but didn't say anything.

"I am asking you something, Ishmal. What's happening here?" He again implored in a rough voice.

Ishmal met his hard gaze. "I am going."

"Where?" He raised a brow as she could find the veins on his hands becoming prominent.

"Back to where I came from. I can't live here anymore. I want divorce from you so that we can live our lives how we want," she replied in a low voice.

Haider clenched his jaw and approached her. "And who gave you a permission to do so?"

Ishmal glared at him. "I don't need anyone's permission. I just don't want this marriage anymore. I want to return to my family."

Seeing his silence, she decided to move but something flashed inside Haider's mind quickly and he held her wrist, preventing her from going ahead. If it was the situation of a few weeks ago, he would have been very happy that he would be getting freed from this prison even without doing anything. But not now. He couldn't let Ishmal go. There was a feeling in his heart that was calling him to act hastily and make her stay because if she were gone, he couldn't live like that.

"And do you think I will let you do that?" He huskily murmured against her ear.

Ishmal sighed. "I can certainly do that, Mr. Haider. I refuse to stay as your wife now. I want freedom."

Haider scowled at her and his hold on her wrist increased which caused her to inhale sharply. His eyes went towards her other hand which was tugging the handle suitcase. He yanked it out of her hand and placed the suitcase back on the bed.

Ishmal looked at him in stun. He ignored her and turned towards the bed. Opening the lid of the suitcase, Haider started taking her dresses out.

"What are you doing?" Ishmal almost cried.

Haider remained quiet. It irked Ishmal and she held her arm, trying to stop him from removing her clothes from the suitcase. Haider glanced her way and her blubbering eyes made him amazed. Suddenly he felt a dire need to forget everything and hide her in his arms to protect her from the rest of the world.

"Take your hands off my suitcase," she snarled.

"I won't let you go anywhere, Ishmal. Bear that in your mind," he announced.

"And you should also know that you can't stop me," she answered back and again started putting her dresses back.

Haider grabbed her hand and pulled her towards himself.

"That was decided that it's in my hand when to end this contract," he told her sternly.

He just couldn't dare to tell her that he had indeed sent damn to this contract. It didn't mean anything to him. All he wanted now was her and nothing else. But of course, he couldn't voice it out because of his own high ego.

A tear fell from Ishmal's eye at his words and Haider's eyes followed it. He made a sound at the back of his throat before cupping her face. Bending near her, Haider pressed his lips against hers.

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AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

Here's a new chapter for y'all.

How is it?

What do you think will happen next?

Will Haider ever let go of his ego and confess to Ishmal of his feelings?

If you like this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment.

Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. ❤