The café was quiet, the sound of distant chatter barely reaching our corner table. Rola sat across from me, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup, her eyes guarded but not unkind. My chest tightened. I had rehearsed this moment in my head a dozen times, but now that it was here, the words felt heavy. "I’m not ready to leave him," I admitted, the confession spilling out before I could soften it. Her gaze flickered up, surprise flashing in her eyes. "My heart is still… attached. But I can’t ignore the way things have been." Rola exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "Then why are you here, Dema?" "Because I need to understand," I said, leaning forward. "I need to hear your side—what really happened between you and Rami. Why you broke the engagement." My voice wavered, but I held her stare. "If there’s anything I can do to change him, I want to try. But I need to know if you're willing to help me." The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken words. Fo
Rola and I were silent. We had agreed to work together, but the awkwardness of the situation was still pressing on us.After a few minutes I finally had the courage to break the silence, I said "I never had anyone before him, Rola. No family, no love—nothing. Rami was the first person who made me feel like I mattered. He gave me things I never even dreamed of having... not money, but the way he showed me the world. Made me believe I was worth something." My voice cracks, and I press a hand to my chest, like I can physically hold the ache inside. "That’s why I can’t just walk away. He’s my first love—my only love. But every lie he tells me feels like a knife twisting deeper. And now... now I keep wondering if there’s more. If he’s cheating, if he ever really loved me at all." A bitter laugh escapes me. "It’s driving me insane, Rola. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep—I just keep replaying everything in my head. And I know... I know I have to end this. Because if I don’t, he’s going to des
The door clicked shut behind me, sealing away Rola’s words, her promises, her plan. The air in our home felt heavier now, thick with the weight of what I had just agreed to. Or maybe it was just the silence—the kind that settles when you stop fighting. I kicked off my shoes, not bothering to line them . The old me would’ve cared. The old me would’ve smoothed her hair, touched up her lipstick, made sure my bedroom smelled like lavender instead of the smell of chips that I had last night. But that woman was fading, peeling away like old paint. Rami was on the couch, his fingers tapping against his phone, the glow of the screen reflecting in his tired eyes. He didn’t look up when I walked in. Good. Less effort for me. I grabbed a bag of chips from the cupboard, the crinkling sound too loud in the quiet. I didn’t care if it was noon or midnight. I didn’t care if he wrinkled his nose at the smell of salt and grease. Let him. “You’re eating that now?” he finally asked, his voice fla
I walked into the office today in clothes I wouldn’t normally wear to work—an oversized coat, simple blouse underneath, flowy pants, and flat shoes instead of my usual heels. My hair wasn’t perfectly styled, probably a bit greasy, and my face was bare. No makeup. No effort. Not that anyone would dare comment on it. I settled into my chair and mechanically started reviewing reports, replying to emails, drafting responses—anything to keep my mind occupied. The work was a welcome distraction, something solid to focus on instead of the mess inside my head. Then Karim, the team leader, knocked on my door. He looked tense. "Three people called in sick today," he said, rubbing his temple. "The workload is overwhelming. I don’t know if we can handle it." I barely hesitated. "It’s fine. I’ll take their place." His eyebrows shot up. I wasn’t the type to step in like that—not directly, not like some hands-on manager. But today, I needed this. I needed to drown in something other than m
The library was quiet, the way I liked it—just the soft rustle of pages turning from the wind coming from the big open windows and the faint scent of old books surrounding me. I had told Tala earlier that I needed the entire day to study, to revise what I’d learned in college about business and economic science. No distractions. No interruptions. She had nodded, understanding, and left me alone with my thoughts and my books. Hours passed, the words blurring together as I flipped through case studies and theories. My stomach growled, a sharp reminder that I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. I leaned back in my chair, stretching my stiff shoulders, and glanced at the clock. Late afternoon already. A craving hit me then—one I’d been suppressing for months. That burger sandwich from the new restaurant downtown, the one with the golden brioche bun and thick, juicy patty I’d seen advertised everywhere. I had resisted, of course. Because of the diet. Because I wanted to stay fit for him. But
I stared at my phone after Bayan walked out, my fingers trembling as I dialed Rola’s number. The moment she answered, my voice came out sharp, accusing. "Why did you tell Bayan? I thought you were helping me, not messing with me!"Rola sighed on the other end, her tone annoyingly calm. "Dema, if you really want to break Rami’s cycle of cheating, you have to be brave. Bayan can help us—she’s been through this before."I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling up. "Bayan is obviously up to something! She’s not here to help—she just wants to mess with me!""You don’t even know her,"Rola shot back. "You only met her once. How can you be so sure?" I fell silent, my chest tight. She was right—I didn’t know Bayan. But something about her, the way she looked at me, like she already held all the cards… it set me on edge. "You should at least hear her side of the story before you make up your mind about her." She added.Finally, I let out a slow breath. "Fine. I’ll… think about it. I’ll call
I couldn’t stay in that mansion for even another second. Not after what I’d just found out. The maids who I considered my friends—had been lying to me this whole time. And Tala…Ya Allah , Tala. I thought she was different. I thought she was the first real friend I’d ever had. But no. Just another person playing a role, pretending to care. My hands clenched the steering wheel so tight my knuckles turned white. I didn’t even know where I was going. Just away. Away from the lies, away from the betrayal, away from the suffocating walls of that house that had never truly been a home. The road blurred in front of me, tears burning my eyes. I swiped at them angrily. Why did I keep letting myself believe things could be different? That people could be different? I drove until my head started spinning, until the weight in my chest made it hard to breathe. Finally, I pulled over near some public park—I didn’t even know which one. The engine cut, and silence rushed in, heavy and suffocat
The keys to the beach house felt heavy in my hand—not from weight, but from possibility. This was mine. Entirely mine. No compromises, no opinions to consider except my own. The salt-kissed air rushed past me as I pushed open the door, the empty rooms echoing with potential. I walked through the bare space, my fingers trailing along the walls, already imagining the colors they would wear. Soft, grey and sky blue? Or maybe something bolder, like the deep turquoise of the ocean at dusk? I smiled. I’ll decide later. Every choice would be mine, down to the smallest detail. The living room was bathed in golden afternoon light, and I tilted my head up, picturing a chandelier—something delicate but striking, like crystal droplets catching the sun. Not the kind you’d find in a showroom, but something unique, something that felt like it belonged only here. I crouched, pressing my palm against the cool tile floor. These would have to go. Maybe something in a pale, weathered stone, or hand
I had planned to take Dema to the commercial event and even picked out a beautiful dress for her as a surprise. I imagined how happy she’d be when she sees it and how lovely she’d look that evening. But when I got home, I found her lying on her back on the couch, exhausted. “I’m too tired,” she said weakly. When I told her about the event, she shook her head. “I can’t go. I’m exhausted—I don’t feel good, and I don’t look good enough to attend.” I left Dema alone at home and went to the event by myself. The evening dragged on—my team handled everything perfectly, leaving me with little to do. That’s when I spotted her.Her name is Jasmine . She's One of our former managers. She’d quit years ago when she got pregnant, choosing to raise her son over climbing the corporate ladder. Now here she was, gliding through the crowd like she’d never left. She smiled when she saw me. “Rami, how are you? It's been a long time.”We fell into easy conversation, reminiscing about her old days at
Last night was one of the longest nights I’ve ever experienced. Dema had been throwing up on and off for hours, her discomfort keeping both of us awake well past midnight. Each time I heard her retching in the bathroom, my chest tightened with worry. I hovered near the door, offering water, a cold towel, anything to ease her nausea. At one point, I even suggested taking her to the emergency room, fearing she might be seriously ill, but she waved me off weakly. "It’s fine, really," she insisted, her voice hoarse from the strain."This is normal—just part of it." I didn’t understand how anything so exhausting could be normal but she assured me it was just her body adjusting. Still, I couldn’t shake the helplessness gnawing at me. Eventually, the vomiting subsided, but sleep remained out of reach for her. Restless and drained, she wandered out to the balcony, seeking the cool night air. I watched from the doorway as she settled into the wicker chair, her silhouette outlined by the p
When Dema told me she was pregnant, I didn’t know what came over me. My chest tightened, my thoughts raced, and for a moment, I couldn’t even form a response. We had talked about having kids many times before—long conversations that stretched late into the night, filled with hopes, fears, and unspoken tensions. Every time, I told her I wasn’t ready, that the timing wasn’t right, that we needed to wait. And every time, she would look at me with those deep, pleading eyes, her voice soft but unwavering as she explained why she wanted this so badly. She had been an orphan, raised in a system that never gave her the warmth of a real family. She told me how she used to watch other children with their parents, aching for something she never had—a home, stability, unconditional love. To her, having a child wasn’t just a desire; it was a need, a way to fill a void that had been hollowed out by years of loneliness. She feared that if we kept dismissing the idea, she might never get the chance
Love is such a strong word, if you ask me. It's a kind of driving force—something deep and complicated for some people, yet so simple and spontaneous for others. I used to believe that people who have more get more love: people who have more money than others, people who have more influence, more beauty. That's why I didn't believe in love, because I believed it was just another term used to justify capitalistic ideals, a cover for people’s lust and greed. And it's true—some people do use love to get what they want, or they just don't know the difference between love and ambition. My whole life, I thought that I deserved love because I had money, status, and looks. I had the whole package; I was at the top of the social pyramid. That's just how our world works—but again, this is ambition, not real love. Real love is loving someone even when they have nothing. Real love is loving someone for the way they treat you. You can truly love someone for a certain quality about them, and
Love is such a complicated matter. It is very mysterious to me, especially identifying love. Identifying your own emotions is the tricky part. Do you really love this person, or do you just like this person? Do you love them despite their flaws? Do you love them as a whole, or do you just love a specific quality about this person ? Would you still love this person if they lost everything? Would you still love them if they changed? These questions have been on my mind my whole life, and I’ve given up on finding answers. I thought I loved Bayan, yet I moved on with my life just fine after she disappeared. I thought I liked Rola, but when she broke our engagement and left, I didn’t feel anything—I didn’t even shed a single tear. But when I realized for the first time that I could lose Dema, it frightened my soul. For the first time, I felt like my entire world would crash. --- I’ve never felt anything like this before with anyone else. Yes, I admit I’ve been with many wo
There were nights when the weight of my father’s expectations pressed down on me until I couldn’t breathe. I’d sit in the dark, wondering if I was an embarrassment to him—if I’d ever be enough. But Dema… she always knew. She’d find me, her hands gentle on my shoulders, her voice steady. "You’re not failing," she’d say. "You’re building something he’ll never understand." And somehow, just her saying it made me believe it. She never let me face anything alone. Every gala, every meeting, every public appearance—she was there, flawless, poised, making me look stronger just by standing beside me. People noticed. They’d whisper about how lucky I was, and they were right. When my mother’s birthday came around, and I was drowning in indecision, Dema took over. She planned everything—the flowers my mother loved, the guests list, even the cake from that little bakery she used to take me to as a child. My mother hugged me that night and said, "it was one of the best birthdays I've ever had."
I stood there, staring at the half-finished rose garden, dirt smeared across my hands, sweat dripping down my forehead. I had never done anything like this before—not with my own hands, at least. My whole life, if I wanted something done, I paid someone to do it. But this… this had to be done by me. Dema had made me that sweater—knitted it herself, stitch by stitch. I still remember the way she smiled when she gave it to me, how soft it felt, how it carried the weight of her effort. I wanted to give her something just as meaningful, something that showed her I cared enough to try. But what could I do? I didn’t know how to knit, or paint, or build. I had no skills like that. Then, as I passed by the flower shop downtown, it hit me Dema loves flowers.I bought every rose they had. Red, pink, white—enough to fill the entire side garden of the mansion. When I got home, I called the gardener over. "I need everything ready—soil, tools, space. I'm doing this myself," I told him. He r
Dema wasn’t just my wife—she was my first real friend, the first person who truly saw me.Before her, no one had ever asked about the things that brought me joy—not out of obligation or strategy, but simple curiosity. She was the one who listened when I rambled about random historical facts, who remembered the names of my childhood pets, who laughed at my terrible jokes not because she had to, but because she genuinely found them funny. With her, I didn’t have to perform or posture. For the first time, I felt like I could just exist and that would be enough. She taught me things I never realized I was missing—small, sacred acts of love I’d never witnessed growing up. She was the first person to cook my favorite meal just because she noticed I’d had a long day. The first to show me how to hold someone’s gaze until the world fades away, how to listen not just to words but to the spaces between them. She showed me how to celebrate the details—the way someone’s nose scrunches when they
My whole life, I’ve known that people liked me—not for who I was, but for where I came from. Growing up, I attended an elite international school, the kind reserved for the children of diplomats, CEOs, and old-money heirs. It was a world of polished hallways and whispered connections, where last names carried more weight than personalities. My parents never let me forget my privilege. "You deserve only the best," they would say, as if excellence were an inheritance rather than something earned. Their words were laced with unspoken rules Only associate with those who match your status. Never lower yourself. Remember who you are.But the irony was suffocating. Even among the privileged, I was treated differently—like some kind of crown prince in a kingdom of lesser nobles. At first, I thought it was because of my family’s wealth, or maybe my father’s influence in certain circles. But the truth was far more transactional. The other children didn’t befriend me; they were assigned to me. T