Chapter 54 – Masks and Broken Games

Zarah’s POV

The steam clung to my skin like a second robe as I pushed open the golden-trimmed bathroom door.

My room glittered under the chandelier, every light reflecting off the glass shelves and the crystal perfume bottles scattered carelessly on my vanity.

I ran a hand through my wet hair, enjoying the silk-like feel of it against my palm.

Droplets of water slid down my skin, glistening like tiny gems.

I paused in front of the long mirror, tilting my chin, studying myself the way I always did after a shower.

Perfect. Always perfect.

But then—

Ring! Ring!

The sharp sound of my ringtone cut through the quiet room.

I frowned instantly. Who dared disturb me at this hour?

The phone kept ringing. It was so persistent that it was annoying.

I grabbed a towel and patted myself dry slowly, pretending I didn’t hear. Yet the shrill sound didn’t stop.

With a huff, I muttered, “Who the hell is calling me this early?”

Crossing the plush carpet, I snatched the phone from the bedside table. A strange number flashed on the screen. It was not saved and neither was it a familiar number.

For a moment, I considered cutting the call. It may be one of those people who wanted to beg me for money.

But I decided to satisfy my vanity.

I pressed accept anyway. “Hello. Who is this?” My voice was already sharp.

A male voice came, calm but with a trace of hesitation. “Hello, Zarah. It’s me… Micheal. Your sister’s boyfriend.”

For a moment, my brain paused. Micheal? Sister? Which sister?

It took a beat before I realized he meant Mannie. Oh right—my cousin who insisted on calling herself my sister all those years.

I completely deleted the fact that I was the one who went around introducing her as my sister.

I forced a small laugh. “Which sister are you talking about?” I asked, even though I knew.

“Mannie,” he said with a teasing edge. “Or do you have another sister?”

His teasing grated my nerves. I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see. “Oh. Why did you call me?”

There was a pause. Maybe my tone was too dismissive. Or maybe too cold, but what does a pauper like him expect. He deserved it.

“Well,” he said, “I’ve lost contact with her. Seems she changed her number. I thought maybe I could reach her through you.”

Of course she changed her number. Out of shame. Out of misery. After birthing those unbearable burdens, she probably wanted to hide from the world.

Meanwhile, I still had my number. Still had my status. Still had everything she could only dream of.

I arched a brow though he couldn’t see it. “Okay… and what’s in it for me?”

He chuckled softly, like my greed didn’t surprise him. “How about we meet and talk first?”

I tapped my finger against the edge of the phone. Meeting him might be useful. Maybe I could twist him into my plans.

Maybe I could use him against Mannie.

“Fine,” I said smoothly. “Send me the place and time.”

“Alright.” He ended the call quickly.

I stared at the screen, lips parting in outrage. “How dare he cut the call on me?” I muttered. “Does he think I am still the Zarah who begged for scraps? Fool.”

My anger rose hot and fast. I almost decided to stand him up. But then again… he could be useful. He used to trust me more than Mannie. Maybe I could weave my lies again.

I dressed slowly, sliding into a body-hugging dress that shimmered under the chandelier. I wanted to remind Micheal of what he had lost. Or rather, what he never had.

When it was time, I took one of the expensive cars from the garage despite the butler’s warning. What did he know? Dominic wasn’t even in the city. I wouldn’t run into him.

The drive was smooth. By the time I reached the restaurant, I was prepared to see Micheal looking desperate.

But instead, what I saw made me pause.

The restaurant was grander than I expected. Micheal’s car was sleek and polished as he pulled up just as I arrived. A valet rushed to take his keys.

My brows lifted. “Is this real or staged?” I whispered under my breath.

He spotted me and smiled, dimples showing. Those dimples once made me weak. But they had betrayed me when he chose Mannie over me.

“Oh, you’re on time,” he greeted warmly.

I pasted a sweet smile on my lips. “Of course. I just got in.”

Before he could say more, I hooked my arm through his. He didn’t push me away. In fact, he held my hand as he led me forward. My heart swelled with victory.

We entered a private room. He even pulled out my chair before sitting across from me. Gentleman as always.

“It’s been a long time,” he said.

“Yes,” I agreed, twirling a strand of my hair between my fingers. My voice came out light, almost playful. “So long that we lost contact completely.”

He studied me. I could see the surprise in his eyes. Perhaps he hadn’t expected me to look this stunning.

“You seem to be doing well,” he said. Then his tone softened. “What about Mannie? How is she?”

At his words, my smile faltered inside. Why was he still asking about her? Didn’t he see me sitting right here.

I forced my lips back into a curve. “Mannie?” I sighed dramatically. “A lot has happened with her.”

I leaned closer, lowering my voice as if sharing a secret. And then, carefully, I wove my lies.

By the time I was done, I added the last spice on it.

“She has eight children now,” I said with a pitying shake of my head. “She doesn’t even know who their fathers are. Different men, different mistakes. I tried to advise her… I told her you were still in love with her, that she should wait. But she refused. She chose recklessness.”

Micheal’s face lost its color. His hand froze over the glass of water. “Wait. Are you saying… Mannie has eight children? From different men?”

“Yes,” I confirmed, eyes glinting though I masked them with sorrow. “I didn’t want to tell you. But you deserve the truth. She ruined herself.”

His jaw tightened. He looked down at the untouched food. He seemed almost sick.

I shifted closer, sliding from my chair onto the couch beside him. My hand brushed his arm. My legs crossed so the slit of my dress revealed more skin. I leaned in, my voice dropping to a purr.

“But you… you’ve always been different, Micheal. Strong. Kind. I used to admire that about you.”

I touched his chest lightly, testing him. My eyes searched his face, waiting for the old spark.

But he didn’t move closer. His eyes were clouded with pain, disappointment, maybe even disgust.

“Zarah,” he said firmly, pulling his arm back. “Thank you for telling me this. But I think I understand now. I can’t go back to her.”

He stood abruptly, straightening his shirt, putting space between us.

“Wait—” I reached for him, but he stepped aside.

“I’ll pay for the food,” he said coldly. “But I’m leaving.”

And just like that, he walked out.

I sat frozen, my plan crumbling before my eyes. My hand clenched the edge of the couch until my nails bit into the leather.

“Damn it!” I hissed, grabbing a cup and smashing it against the wall. The shards scattered like broken dreams.

I didn’t touch the food. I stormed out, fury boiling in my veins.

Micheal had rejected me. Again.

But this wasn’t the end.

If he thought he could walk away from me twice in one lifetime, he was wrong.

Very wrong.

I will make him pay for it.