Chapter 4: Sting

Ren’s POV

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‎I was already asleep, buried under my blanket, when my phone started ringing.

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‎The first time, I ignored it. Why call me when it's past midnight. The second time too. But on the third ring, I groaned and fumbled for it on the nightstand without even opening my eyes or checking the screen.

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‎“Who the hell calls someone at this time of night?” I muttered, voice thick with sleep.

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‎A cold, familiar voice answered.

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‎“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to, young man?”

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‎My stomach dropped. *Father.*

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‎“I hope you’re ready for your wedding tomorrow,” he said sharply. “Do not spoil this for me or for anyone. Forget about whatever you saw between Lila and Haru. It’s not their fault that you are not man enough to keep your woman.”

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‎The words hit like a slap. I sat up slowly.

‎“Yes, father,” I whispered.

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‎“You’ll be coming very early. Make sure you get to the house before anyone else. Get out of that pathetic apartment of yours.”

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‎He hung up without waiting for a reply.

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‎I sat there in the dark, phone still in my hand, staring at the wall. My life felt like a script I never agreed to. Twenty-four years old, and I still couldn’t say no. Not to the family that never wanted me. Not to the woman who cheated on me. Not even to the future they had already written.

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‎I didn’t sleep after that.

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‎By the time the sky started to lighten, a loud knock sounded on my door. I grudgingly went to open it to find Ayesha standing there, arms crossed, looking ready for war.

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‎“Ren, first you did not use the peephole yo check who was at the door, and don't bother lying, I can smell it. Second, you cannot do this,” she said the second I let her in. “You’re really going to marry Lila after what she did? After what Haru did? This whole thing is toxic.”

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‎I rubbed my face, exhausted. “I have to, Ayesha. They’re my parents. I have to obey them.”

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‎She stared at me like I had lost my mind. “Obey them? They treat you like garbage. And that one-night stand guy? The way you described how he looked at you… he appreciated you. He made you feel wanted. Lila makes you feel like a joke. Why are you punishing yourself like this?”

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‎I stayed quiet. The memory of those mismatched eyes and the stranger’s deep voice still lingered in my mind, but I pushed it away.

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‎“It’s better to remain single and keep exploring than get stuck in that marriage,” Ayesha continued. “You deserve better.”

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‎I wanted to believe her. But the fear of disappointing my parents was stronger.

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‎In the end, she came with me to the family house anyway. My father hated Ayesha, but he tolerated her because of who her father was — Commissioner General Idris Hassan. Power respected power.

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‎Once we arrived, I went to my old room to get dressed. Ayesha followed me inside and immediately sighed as she looked around.

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‎“This house is so big, yet your room is still the smallest one. It’s actually ridiculous.”

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‎I sighed while buttoning my shirt. “You’ve been here a number of times, at least when I used to live here. And you keep saying the same thing every time. Are you not tired?”

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‎“Well, I’m never going to be tired of saying the truth when you have such evil people around you,” she shot back. “Are you sure you’re even their real son? Because from the looks of it, I think not.”

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‎I shook my head. “Ah, Ayesha, sometimes I just can’t deal with you at all.”

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‎Before she could reply, there was aggressive knocking on the door. It suddenly flung open. My mother stood there, lips pressed into a thin line.

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‎“Ren, I know you have the features of a woman, but you don’t have to act like one,” she snapped. “Get ready quickly and meet us downstairs. We have to go.”

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‎Ayesha stepped forward before I could respond. “Actually, you guys can leave. I’m driving him to his wedding.”

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‎My mother’s eyes narrowed. “Who the hell do you think you are? Coming into this family and talking like that?”

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‎Ayesha didn’t flinch. “Who the hell do you think you are to talk to me like that? Do I look like someone you guys can bully all the time? My father, General Hassan, has already sent a car for me and Ren. We’ll arrive at the wedding together.”

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‎My mother huffed, clearly furious, but turned on her heel and walked out without another word.

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‎I let out a long breath, fingers still trembling slightly as I finished buttoning my shirt.

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‎Today was supposed to be my wedding day.

‎But all I could think about were those mismatched eyes… and how badly I wanted to run.

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