All Chapters of Shattered Veil: A Muslim Romantic Thriller: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

1

1NOURAThe first thing I remember was the sound of the engines—low, guttural, and relentless.It was the kind of noise that felt alive, reverberating through the earth and into my chest.I stopped kneading the dough, my hands hovering above the sticky mound as my mother’s sharp intake of breath caught my attention.It wasn’t unusual to hear vehicles in the distance.Sometimes they were ours—old trucks delivering what little supplies remained—or the rare foreign aid convoys trying to slip past unseen.But this was different.It was too loud, too deliberate.“Mama…” I began, but my voice faltered when I saw her expression.She wasn’t looking at me.She was staring at the window, her eyes wide and unblinking.Her lips moved silently, forming words I couldn’t hear, her prayers too soft for even Allah to catch.And then came the explosion.The walls shuddered, bits of plaster raining down from the ceiling.The dough I had been working on flew off the table, smearing across the floor.My e

Last Updated : 2025-07-22

2

The air was thick with smoke, and the stench of burning flesh was enough to make my stomach churn, but I didn’t move.I couldn’t.This wasn’t my first raid.It wouldn’t be my last.But it never got easier.I adjusted the binoculars, scanning the chaos below.Families were dragged from their homes, mothers screaming for their children, men beaten or shot for the smallest resistance.And then I saw her.She was fighting like a caged animal, her dark hair flying as she clawed at the man who held her.There was something about her—something that made my chest tighten.It wasn’t just the way she fought or the fire in her eyes.It was her face.I recognized her.I reached into my pocket and pulled out the photograph, its edges worn and frayed from months of handling.Her father had given it to me in a refugee camp, his hands shaking as he pleaded with me to find her.“Her name is Noura,” he had said. “Please, if there’s any way—”His voice had cracked, and he couldn’t finish the sentence.I

Last Updated : 2025-07-22

3

He leaned forward, gripping my chin between his thick fingers.His touch was cold and rough, his nails digging into my skin.“Good. I like my wives with fire. It makes breaking them all the more satisfying.”I felt bile rise in my throat, but I swallowed it down.“I am not your wife,” I spat, my voice trembling but defiant.The room fell silent.For a moment, I thought I had gone too far.Then he laughed—a deep, cruel sound that sent shivers down my spine.“You are now,” he said simply. “The ceremony is tomorrow. You will wear white. And if you try to run, I’ll make you watch as my men slaughter the rest of your village. Do you understand?”I didn’t answer.I couldn’t.He leaned closer, his breath hot and foul against my face.“Do you understand?” he repeated, his voice a deadly whisper.“Yes,” I choked out, my voice barely audible.Satisfied, he released me, motioning for the guards to take me away.As they dragged me out of the tent, I felt the first tear slide down my cheek.I want

Last Updated : 2025-07-22

4

I stared at the flickering lantern hanging outside my tent, the faint light casting twisted shadows that danced like ghosts.This was my reality now—a captive bride-to-be for a monster.I closed my eyes, desperate to escape, if only in my mind.I thought back to when I was a little girl, sitting at Baba’s feet as he told me stories of grand love.He always spoke of how he’d dreamed of seeing me in a white dress, glowing with happiness, standing beside a man who adored me.But deep down, I knew love was a luxury people like us couldn’t afford.My family had lived on the edges of ruin for as long as I could remember.Our village, nestled in the shadow of the mountains, was a place where death lingered in the corners, waiting to pounce.The sounds of distant gunfire and the echo of bombs were constants in my childhood, lulling me to sleep like a twisted lullaby.I had always known my life could end at any moment, but I never imagined it would come to this—sold like cattle to a warlord.I

Last Updated : 2025-07-22

5

“You’re lying,” I said.“I’m not,” he replied. “But if we don’t leave now, it won’t matter. Do you want to die here?”His words hit me like a slap.Did I want to die here?The truth was, I didn’t know anymore.But the thought of the warlord’s hands on me, of being bound to him for the rest of my life, made the choice clear.“Fine,” I said, my voice trembling. “But if you’re lying, I’ll kill you myself.”A ghost of a smile flickered across his face.“Fair enough.”10KHALIDHer defiance was a spark in the darkness, a reminder of why I had come.As I helped her to her feet, I could see the mistrust in her eyes, the way she flinched at every sound.She didn’t believe me yet.But she would.I led her out of the tent, my heart pounding as we slipped past the guards.The camp was a minefield of danger, every shadow a potential threat.As we moved, I couldn’t help but glance at her, taking in the details—the way her hair fell over her shoulders like a raven’s wing, the way her hands shook as

Last Updated : 2025-07-22

6

“Wait here,” Khalid said, crouching low behind a pile of rusted barrels.He disappeared into the darkness, leaving me alone.I wanted to run, to take my chances in the wilderness rather than place my fate in his hands.But where would I go?The mountains were vast and unforgiving, and the warlord’s men would hunt me down before I got far.Khalid returned moments later, his expression grim.“The path is clear, but we have to move fast.”I didn’t respond, didn’t even look at him.I followed because I had no choice, because the alternative was worse.The sound of shouting behind us sent a jolt of panic through me.“They’ve noticed,” Khalid said, his voice tense.He grabbed my arm and pulled me into a sprint.The next moments blurred together—a chaotic mix of running, hiding, and the deafening crack of gunfire.My ears rang, and my vision swam with tears and fear.14KHALIDWe were close—so close I could taste the cool, untainted air of the forest beyond the camp.But the guards were clos

Last Updated : 2025-07-22

7

The mention of my father hit me like a blow.Memories of his voice, his laugh, and his steady presence fought their way to the surface, battling the image of his lifeless body.I wanted to believe Khalid, but the knot of mistrust in my chest refused to loosen.“Maybe you’re lying,” I said, stepping back.“Think what you want,” he said flatly, his hand twitching toward the knife strapped to his thigh. “But if we stay here, they’ll find us.”There was something unnerving about his calmness, his ability to calculate even as death chased us.I hated the way he seemed invincible when I felt so weak.17KHALIDShe didn’t trust me.That much was clear.The way her wide eyes darted toward every shadow, her fingers clenched around the torn hem of her dress, ready to run at the first sign of danger—I recognized the look.I’d seen it in women before.They always expected a betrayal.But I wasn’t their enemy.The way she looked at me, like I was no different from the men we’d left behind, sparked

Last Updated : 2025-07-22

8

“Stay close.”His voice was strained, his usual composure fraying at the edges.I wanted to scream, to cry out for someone—anyone—to answer.But the silence pressed down on me like a shroud, suffocating any sound.Khalid led me through the carnage, his hand never leaving the knife at his side.My legs felt like lead, each step heavier than the last.“They did this,” he muttered, his gaze sweeping the destruction.“Who?”“The men hunting us.”My stomach churned.The thought of being dragged back into their clutches made my skin crawl.“We can’t stay here,” he said, his voice firm.“But—”“No.”He cut me off, his tone leaving no room for argument.“There’s nothing left.”I wanted to hate him for his coldness, for his refusal to grieve for these people.But maybe he was right.Maybe survival meant leaving the dead behind.As we left the village, I glanced back one last time, the weight of their silent screams settling on my shoulders.For the first time, I wondered if Khalid’s protection

Last Updated : 2025-07-22

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