In roughly thirty minutes, I arrived at the hospital. I hurriedly parked the car and dashed up to the hospital's main entrance, where I inquired about Kate with the receptionist.

She directed me to her room on the fifth floor. I quickly entered the elevators and pressed the number five button for the floor number.

As I ascended the stairs, I looked for her room number on the floor where she was staying. I proceeded down the hall for about three minutes, unable to locate the room, until I noticed a nurse walking past me and rushed after her to ask.

"Excuse me, could you tell me where room F235 is?" As I was dressed in my scrubs, she turned around and gave me a puzzled expression, peering up and down at me.

"If you work here, how do you not know where the rooms are?" she questioned, puzzled.

"Oh Sorry, but I don't work here. I actually just came from my hospital here to see a friend," said to clear her confusion.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry I assumed that you were a nurse here" she apologized.

"It's fine," I responded, and then proceeded to ask her where Kate's room was.

"Just proceed straight down the corridor to your right, and it'll be the last door on the left," she added. I thanked her for her assistance and proceeded to the location.

When I get into the room, the first thing I see is Kate resting on the bed, her wounds being dressed by the nurse.

"Do you happen to be Ms. Khan?" Another nurse approached me with a clipboard in her hands, and I said yes, nodding my head up and down. Before seeing Kate, she guided me to the doctor, where he was typing on the computer.

Upon greeting the doctor, he insisted on having me sign some of Kate's documents on her behalf. The doctor sharply gave me a brief summary on her health and informed me of the main details of her report file.

"She has a broken left arm, as well as wounds and bruises all over her body. She has a large cut near her ear on her right face, which is thankfully not too deep and will heal soon. seems like someone had been abusing her for a long time, which is why she has so many old dried up red markings as well," he exclaimed as he handed me her report file, which I went through to double-check.

I looked at Kate, who was staring straight ahead, as if she wasn't in this world and was preoccupied with something else.

"We've already called for the help of the cops, but it appears that Ms. Knight is uninterested. She's made it very clear that she doesn't want to press any charges, but I think you should speak to her once and see if she'll agree," he says as he and the nurses walk away, leaving us all alone.

I approached her and sat by her side, but she continued to look ahead, not giving me a glimpse. I tap her on her shoulder to catch her attention, but she doesn't respond.

"Kate?" I called her but received no answer because she was oblivious of my presence.

"Katelyn?" I grabbed her shoulders and shook them again, causing her to turn around and look at me, puzzled.

"Zee?... You actually came," she murmurs slowly and quietly as I nod my head affirmatively, a teardrop cascading down my cheek.

"Can you tell me what happened? Please just tell me. Does it have something to do with your father?" I asked, gently grasping her upper arm, which was now in a plaster cast, so as to not hurt her. She offered me a short grin as she faced the small TV screen in front of us.

"Only if he was alive," she laughed, shaking her head in No, as I became even more perplexed. What on earth does she mean by that? I thought.

"What exactly do you mean? Kate, where has he gone? "What happened?" I wondered. To clear up my uncertainty, I asked questions after questions to find out.

"Zee, he's gone...the only family I've ever had is gone." She says, "No more with me," as if she doesn't care. I was stunned and clutched on to her other hand for comfort and support as I held my left hand up against my lips.

"Don't feel sorry for me, Zee; it's not as if he bothered in the first place," she says, her face emotionless.

"How about this?" I asked. "Who did this?" I inquired, my frown directed at her damaged arm, which was covered in a cast and the scratches and bruises being visible on the rest of her arm.

"Ohh, this... I-... Last night, I went for drinks and got into a small scuffle with just a few drunken idiots in the middle of the night. This is nothing to be concerned over; it'll mend quickly," she laughs.

"KATE, SHUT UP! I'm not dumb; I know you're lying," I snarl, getting irritated with her. This bitch really believes she could get away with lying to my face even Though I can tell she's lying about something wholly irrelevant.

"All right, mama, take it easy. I'm in good shape.It was Dad's men, they were the ones that worked for him. They were only trying to figure out where he was, though I informed them that he's dead. They didn't really believe me, to which it eventually led to this" she says, pointing to her bruised arm.

"Are you serious? Oh my gosh, are you for real? Oh dear god, we have to contact the cops. I'm going to tell the doctor so he can call the cops and have them note down your report," I said, standing up nervously as I imagined the worst-case possibilities regarding Kate if she wasn't found.

"Zara Stop! I don't want to call the cops. It's not necessary; I've had enough difficulties already," she replied as she struggled to get out of bed. As I return to her to assist her.

"What do you mean you don't want to?" I say. " Kate, you were attacked," reminding her of this horrific incident and forcing her to return to her bed.

"I know, but it won't happen again," she added, pointing her finger up at me as I lifted my brows, hardly buying a word she said out of her mouth. I stood there, my arms crossed, peering at her.

"What?" She screamed, looking dumbfounded. "Listen, Zee, I'm serious. Get me out of here immediately. I can't stay here any longer; could you please take me back to my apartment?" She was changing the subject while she remarked, fluttering her eyelashes.

"Apartment? "Why not your own home?" I asked, my stance broken, puzzled.

"Oh, I sold that" she easily blurts out. " I really don't need it anymore now, therefore I decided to sell it. I 'd rather make the additional money out of it, you know," she shrugged, as if it didn't matter much to her. I merely remained there, staring into her soul, again not accepting her words.

"Please don't tell Noor." She made me aware, "I'll tell her everything myself," while I threw her a questioning glance, with which she responded with a pleading glance, attempting to disregard my doubts.

She whimpered once again, "Come on, I'll explain everything." She extends her hand for me to assist her in getting up.

I grasp her arm and roll my eyes at her, saying, "Whatever, I'll request the nurse for the discharge papers."

I instructed Kate to remain by the main entrance while I drove my car up in front to pick her up once we were all done and ready to go.

I hopped in my car and revved the engine, but it wouldn't start for some reason. I tried a few times, but it wouldn't budge whatsoever.

"Great! Now my car had to break down," I muttered as I decided to try a few more times but was unsuccessful. I dashed back to the main entrance, where I informed Kate of the problem.

"Really, you call that a car?" With a grin, she says, "It's trash, my girl."

"Shut up, Kate!" I argue back, folding my arms over my chest and pondering what I should do. I debated if I should take an Uber or call Hamdan or Azaan bhai for assistance. Ahhh, I don't really want to spend any money on an Uber because I'm too stingy for that, but I also don't want to call my brothers because I'd have to justify everything. more importantly what the hell I was doing out here alone, without anyone.

"Don't tell me to keep my mouth shut, Zara. You were the one convincing your brother that you didn't have to have a new car and you'd rather use your father's old rubbish, which I'm not sure how old this is but could be outdated enough to no longer function, since you felt compelled to be the perfect daughter and sister. So therefore I hope you're having fun!" She hopped on her feet and sat on the bench beside the ER's main door after finishing her long speech.

Shit! It's already cold outside, and we can't sit here for much longer, I reasoned. Since I don't have any other options, I guess I'll have to call them instead. I grabbed my phone and dialed Azaan bhai's number to have him pick us up.

He arrived in just thirty minutes because he worked nearby. Obviously, when he reached, he asked me what had happened to Kate. I was about to answer when Kate butt in answering by herself. Thank goodness she saved me the trouble and addressed everything immediately. She didn't want to give him another opportunity to ask any further questions.

When We arrived at her apartment, I wanted to make sure she was comfortable as well as asked that Azaan bhai to bring in some medicine and groceries for her, ensuring that she had enough food and medications to last her the entire week.

I mean, just in case, but I'll still be back tomorrow to check up on her after work. I figured it was time for me to depart once I was certain I had everything sorted for her as well as instructing her to call me if she needed anything. I had to be back home by five o'clock as I have to return to work an hour early tomorrow since I took the day off today.

I bid my goodbyes to Kate and returned home once Azaan bhai returned from his errands. He also promised to assist me in getting my car to the mechanic for repair this week. I agreed on one condition: if I was able to assist him, and that if we go out to watch a movie this weekend with him and Hamdan bhai also. its been forever since we went out on our little sibling adventure. to Which he agreed.

Returning from the auto repair shop with Azaan bhai, I put the bag of snacks I had purchased on our way into the kitchen cupboards.

Since my car had been having some issues recently, and Azaan bhai offered to take it to the mechanic to see what was wrong, so I left work a bit early. Thankfully I got my car into the auto shop on time since we'll be getting hit by a snowstorm tonight. Saves me the trouble of having to drive it out on the slippery roads after the storm.

I told Maria aunty of my early arrival and asked if she could prepare me some spaghetti for dinner tonight before she went to bed, as I'd been craving it for two days. When I step into the kitchen and smell the deliciousness, I could sense the taste on my tongue.

I decided to head up the stairs to my room to freshen up before dinner, Until I heard a slight giggle coming from Haider's office. I came to a complete stop in the middle of the stairwell to listen. It sounded like a woman's laughter.

I moved closer to the wall on the way down the stairs and up the corridor leading to the office so I could hear who was there.

I remained still along the wall and a short distance from the door until I heard another faint laugh. Is someone inside? I pondered. Who's in here? Haider's still at the hospital, and he won't be back till late in the evening. I was confused.

Only Maria's aunty, Belle, and I were at home, I thought.

I stepped a little closer to the door till I heard someone say something, but I couldn't make out what they were saying, so I went and stood next to the door.

"I'm super excited to be back. I'm finally back and in your arms," the woman in the room stated with someone else's chuckle. My eyes snapped open as soon as I recognized who's laugh it was. It was none other than him.

I hear Haider say, "I know honey, I've missed you so much," while I hear light kisses and moaning from the woman on opposite sides of the door.

I stood motionless in the doorway, unable to move, my body practically in shock at what I'm about to see if I walked inside right now.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. It's as if someone has drained all of the air from the room. Every nerve in my body seemed to have either frozen or entirely deserted my vessels.

I was bewildered. Disgusted. Angered. Confused. Broken, paralyzed, and frightened. These were the feelings that ran through my mind at the time. I had no idea I was capable of experiencing every one of these feelings at the same time till now.

It's unlike anything else you've ever seen. But, above all, rage. I was enraged by him, not just because of his infidelity, but rather because he showed the least respect towards my family and me.Anger at him for wrecking the last two years of my life by being callous, unreasonable, and unfair.

"You're not going to make me leave again, are you? And if you do, just know that I won't leave this time," she threatened, snapping me out of my trance.

There was no doubt at this point as I was aware of what was happening. In my mind, I had the option of simply letting it go and departing to my bedroom or to confront him. I can go upstairs right now and save myself from the pain, trauma, and fear or face him now I thought.

Slowly, I moved closer to the door. I couldn't even shed a tear, as I couldn't breathe, speak, or hear anything but their voices.

Grabbing the door knob and twisting it, I barged in. Haider was leaning against the wall, one hand on the woman's hips, and another in her hair, and he was locking lips with a woman.

"HAIDER?!!" I shout his name out loud as they're too preoccupied with their make out session to even notice my presence. They both immediately look directly at me in disbelief, as they've been caught red-handed.

I stared at her first, then at him. She dashed to the couch, grabbing her jacket and buttoning up her blouse to hide her half-naked figure.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he exclaims furiously as he turns to face me.

I approached him, and grabbed him by his collar. Raising my hand up I struck him right across his left cheek leaving my hand imprints visible on his face, out of anger and frustration.

"Sharam nahi aati tumhe? You've ruined my life and now your going around having affairs with other women (you have no shame?)" I scream vigorously, looking at him in disgust.

"What exactly is your issue?" "Didn't I warn you not to meddle in my affairs?" He attempted to approach me by holding my arm, but I stepped back, oblivious to the woman approaching behind me.

"How dare you slap him?" Asked the woman, who was grasping my left upper arm and attempting to strike at me. But before she could even dare, I grabbed her hand with my right hand and yanked it away from me.

"Who the hell are you? What exactly are you doing in my house?" I queried her fiercely, and she mockingly flashed me a side smirk.

"Who I'm I? ....baby wouldn't you do the honor of introducing me or should I tell her myself?" She ponders Haider while she approaches him, grabbing his arm. Instead of responding, he just stands there blankly as I await his answer.

"This is Inaya, my wife. She's my wife and the love of my life" he states proudly without any hesitation. I was taken aback when I heard his answer.

I was speechless for a few seconds. My thoughts instantly became fuzzy as I tried to comprehend his words.

"W-wife?" I questioned, confusedly and unable to grasp the new information.

"Tumhe dusri shaadi karli? (You married the second time again?)" I asked with a thudding heart taking in sharp breaths.

"Nahi, you got it wrong darling. Dusri shaadi mujhse nahi, tumse ki hai. Meaning you're the second wife not me (no, he didn't marry me as his second wife, but you)" she triumphantly declared as tears flowed down my face at that very moment.

He lied. He's been lying since the beginning. Through his blatant lies, he not only deceived me, but also my entire family, concealing his façade from me and my parents. Not that I hadn't figured it out before but he's kept me in the dark for far too long, with no clear explanation for everything he's done.

"Kyu? Kyu meri zindagi barbaad ki tumne? (Why? Why did you ruin my life?)" my gaze falling to the floor.

"Kya bigada tha maine tumhara? (What had I done to you?)" I asked him again, this time with tears in my eyes.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," his wife interjected as she made sorrowful expressions at me.

Ignoring her, I walked up to him and he stood steady on his spot, without a trace of sorrow on his face. Taking another step in front of him and grabbing his collar.

"WHY? WHY? WHY DAMIT?" I screamed at the top of my lungs yanking his collar and hitting at his chest with my fists demanding answers. Answers to the questions that have tormented me for the past two years.

"Control yourself," he yelled aggressively, clutching my hand to prevent the punches. I tried to push them aside so I could hit them again.

"NAHI! Jawab chahiye mujhe, abhi aur isi waqt! (No! I want an answer right now!)" I screamed at him crying hysterically..

"Jawab chahiye? Okay then listen (you want an answer?)" He spoke as he pulled my hands away from his shirt and moved towards the window.

"As you already know, before any one of us knew about it; Your father and my father both planned this marriage. Dad wanted me to marry you because he had promised Ahmed uncle that I'll be the one to marry you. He promised him without my knowledge or consent. I'm sure you had no clue at that time as well, considering you were only fifteen at the time" he said continuing on.

"Remember when you asked me why I didn't reject the proposal, on our first day of being married?" I did, as soon as my father notified me. I quickly turned down the proposal since I was already involved with Inaya and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, not you. But, of course, my father refused, and I had no option but to marry her," he remarked as he walked close to her, kissing the back of her hand with a smile, while I watched with teary eyes.

He turned to me then and continued on saying "Of course, I hadn't told my parents about the marriage and decided to keep it a secret until dad dropped the topic of my union with you, I thought it was the right time then to tell them only. But it didn't work out as I planned because my father threatened to kick me out of the house and remove me from his will."

"Then....I didn't have an option but to marry you. So you know, I went along with the marriage until I was capable of transferring all of my assets to myself without my father's knowledge," he said at the conclusion, laughing slightly.

"You know, Zara, your father" he says, "your father was a great pawn in my game. If it wasn't for him convincing dad to let me take over for a year I wouldn't have been able to reach my goal. I thank him a lot for it" he says pointing his finger at me with a wicked smile.

"Hence why now I no longer have to persuade my father to hand over my shares and assets because I now own his company. Finally, I have the freedom to live my life the way I choose. I'd like to express my gratitude to both you and your father!" With a broad smile on his lips, he rested his hand on my shoulder blade.