LOGINAs Zerra screamed from the burn, she tried to get up but lost her balance. The chair tipped over, and she fell to the floor. The staff rushed to her side, but Azzmi was too shocked to focus on the phone call from Mia.“Azzmi? What’s going on there?” Mia’s voice was full of concern.“I’ll call you back,” Azzmi quickly said, ending the call without waiting for a reply.As the staff tried to help Zerra, she pushed them away. “Don’t touch me! Stay away from me!”“Calm down,” Azzmi said, stepping in. “They’re just trying to help.”Zerra glared at her, still clutching her burning skin. “If it’s you, just mind your own business! You did this to me!”“What? Me?” Azzmi’s jaw dropped in surprise.“Yes, you did this on purpose!” Zerra snapped.“You can’t be serious right now. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”“I hate this!” Zerra shouted, still trying to get up, gasping for breath.The staff tried again to help, but Zerra pushed them away.“Just bring me some cold water from the tabl
While looking in the mirror, Raven fumbled with his necktie, growing more frustrated as time ticked away. He knew his father would be calling again, demanding that he hurry for the emergency meeting that evening.Finally getting the tie right, Raven tilted his head to the side, catching a glimpse of Zerra through the mirror. She was curled up on his bed.Ever since returning from the orphanage, she hadn’t stopped crying, feeling guilty for accidentally hurting little Billy. Raven hadn’t expected her to be perfect. That’s why he understood her and had done his best to clear things up.Once he was finished with his necktie, he grabbed what he needed, preparing to leave. But before he could go, he walked over to her with a sigh.“Babe, you need to stop blaming yourself,” he said softly.Zerra sniffled, sitting up and wiping her tears with more tissues. “I just can’t help it. You should’ve seen the way Billy looked at me, like I was a monster. He was so scared of me.”“It’s just like you
Looking behind her seemed to be for nothing as Azzmi only spotted a man in his work suit and cap, dragging a trash bag. But even with that, she looked around again, wondering what had made Zerra run off so suddenly when she had seemed so shocked. Azzmi felt like she must have missed something.As she pondered what it could have been, she tilted her head, deep in thought. It took her a moment to head back inside, but before she could reach the door, the man dragging the trash spoke to her.“Azzmi?”Instantly, she narrowed her eyes, processing what she had just heard. How dare he address her so informally when she didn’t even know who he was? To everyone here, she was Mrs. Bamford.Ready to give him a piece of her mind, she made her way over to him while he continued dragging the trash. He seemed to be walking straight toward her.As she got closer, he took off his cap, and Azzmi froze in her tracks. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Not only was this man an old friend, but he was also her
Azzmi knew Raven had given her a heads-up about what to expect at the orphanage, but it was still overwhelming.Despite that, she knew it was nothing she couldn’t handle. The children were all lovely, and of course, the little ones were incredibly adorable, especially when they clung to her.So far, she had read a few books to them, and they always seemed eager for more. As for Zerra, Azzmi barely saw her around. Each time she did, Zerra was standing at a distance, taking pictures. Azzmi really didn’t understand what she was doing there and couldn’t believe she had convinced Raven that she wanted to be there for the children. Was he really that blinded by her?While Azzmi was in the middle of reading another book to the children outside, she noticed Zerra again, taking more pictures and changing the scenery. Azzmi told herself she shouldn’t pay attention to her. Zerra wasn’t her concern, so she refocused on the book and finished reading.Despite how long she had been doing this, Azzmi
The problem was supposed to be Azzmi.Instead, somehow, the problem had become him.That realization had been bothering Raven for days.Long before Zerra moved into the house.Long before the argument.Long before the slap.The truth was simple.He no longer trusted himself around Azzmi.That was why, before he had even returned home, he called Zerra and asked her to stay with him for a few days.At the time, it seemed like a smart solution.Now he wasn't so sure.The memory of that morning at the breakfast table still lingered in his mind.They had sat far apart.Barely spoken.Yet he had been aware of her the entire time.And that annoyed him more than he cared to admit.He had tried to move on from what happened in her bedroom.Tried to forget it.But then James had shown him that video.The stupid video.The one that changed everything."Are you attracted to Azzmi?"The question should have been easy to answer.It should have been immediate.No hesitation.No confusion.No thought
The second her palm connected with Zerra's cheek, the room went silent.Azzmi barely felt the sting in her hand.Right now, she didn't care.Her chest rose and fell with sharp breaths as she stared at Zerra. Anger still burned through her, hot and fierce. If she had to choose again, she would make the same decision.Zerra touched her cheek and turned away.A few seconds later, Raven stepped between them.Azzmi's stomach tightened.Not because she was afraid of him.Because she already knew what was coming.He faced her, his jaw set hard, his eyes locked on hers. She immediately looked away.Of course he was angry.He hadn't said a word while Zerra crossed every line, but now he was stepping in.For Zerra.Just like always.Azzmi forced herself to breathe.It shouldn't hurt.It shouldn't matter.To him, she was nothing.That was why she had prepared herself for this moment long before it arrived.“Babe,” Raven said.His voice was directed at Zerra.“Y-yeah?” Zerra answered shakily.“Go
Hearing Old Mrs. Ray Ford’s words, Ullysis’s expression worsened.Without hesitation, Ullysis stood up and headed toward the bathroom, seeming to even quicken his pace.Seeing this, Old Mrs. Ray Ford sighed deeply.She said to herself, “My grandson isn’t as incurable as I thought.”Although Ullysis
Shortly after Shantal and Roy headed to the restaurant and found their table, they saw the waiter leading Old Mrs. Ray Ford, Erin, and Natalie, and just was walking toward where Shantal was sitting.Although her marriage to Ullysis had ended unhappily, Shantal didn’t hate Old Mrs. Ray Ford, as the
Ullysis’s heart sank.Shantal had averted her eyes and attention from Ullysis and redirected them to Ella. She said, “This place is very popular. Come in. Put our names on it. I need to use the bathroom.”It was New Year’s Day. People flocked to the mall during their vacation. Plus, it was almost d
“Any need to blame me?”Shantal sighed deeply. Seeing that, Erin thought Shantal was about to apologize.But Shantal said, “I think I might have treated you so well before that you don’t clearly understand your status.”Shantal reached out, pinched Erin’s finger, and moved it away from Shantal’s fa







