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Chapter 3 - 3. Pretend It’s Love

Zain's eyes were glued to the CCTV screen, his expression blank—except for the slight clench of his jaw.

He watched as Elena stepped out of the hospital.A car was waiting. Her brother opened the door, urging her in.She hesitated.

Then she ran.

Through the back gate, through shadows.

Zain's phone buzzed as he dialed.

"Give the phone to Elena," he ordered coldly.

Her brother, confused, handed it over.

Elena's voice trembled, "Why are you calling me? I'm not coming back."

Zain's tone was ice. "If you don't get out of that car right now… your family won't survive. Not your brother, not your parents. I will kill them."

There was no yelling.Just a chilling certainty that made her blood freeze.

The phone slipped from her hand.

Her brother begged her to stay, but she stepped out of the car in silence.

Moments later, a black SUV pulled up beside them.The mafia had arrived.She was taken again—without resistance.

Her brother shouted after her, but she didn't turn back.Because fear… had already won.

Back at the mansion, Zain didn't greet her.He simply said with harsh finality,"Don't ever trust anyone again—not even your family. You belong here now. Whether you want to or not."

The next morning, Elena woke early.She cooked a traditional meal and carefully took a plate to Richard Blake—Zain's father, the old man who barely spoke to her.

She gently fed him, softly wiping the corners of his mouth.

That's when Zain entered the room and saw them.

His face twisted in anger."What do you think you're doing? Stay away from him!" he snapped.

Elena stood silently, holding back tears.

She turned and walked away… again, unwelcome.

Her heart cracked just a little more.

She had lost everything—her family, her dreams, her chance to become a doctor, her freedom.And here… she was just a shadow in someone else's home.

That night, in the darkness of her room,She cried silently, her soul bleeding in quiet sobs no one heard.

The next day brought unwanted guests.

The Blake family had visitors—prestigious, powerful people who wanted to meet the "newlywed couple."

Before they arrived, Zain approached Elena, holding a deep red dress in one hand.

"Wear this," he said flatly. "And act like this marriage is normal."

She stared at him, her voice low and steady. "I won't act. This marriage is a lie."

His eyes darkened. "Don't test me, Elena."

She clenched her fists and turned away, walking toward the door with silent defiance. She didn't want to play along. She didn't want to pretend.

But moments later, as the murmurs of guests filled the hall below, the soft clicking of heels echoed from the staircase.

Heads turned.

There she was—Elena, descending slowly in that very same dress, red as fire, glowing under the chandelier light.

For a moment, the room fell completely silent.

Even Zain… was stunned.

She looked like a princess—elegant, graceful, untouchable.

She walked toward him with her head held high, a mask of calm covering the storm inside her.

Then she sat beside him, smiling politely at the guests.

They asked her questions. She answered sweetly.They complimented her intelligence, her voice, her poise.She charmed them effortlessly.

Zain's gaze lingered on her longer than he realized.

He didn't expect her to listen.He didn't expect her to obey.And he certainly didn't expect her to shine.

Later that night, Richard Blake suddenly fell ill.The entire family rushed to his room, panic in their eyes.

Ambulances were delayed. Doctors were on the way, but time was slipping.

Elena stepped forward. Calm. Focused.

She checked his pulse, elevated his position, and administered basic treatment with the limited tools available.

When the doctor arrived, he was shocked.

"Who treated him?" he asked.

"She did," the maid replied, nodding toward Elena.

"She stabilized Mr. Richard Blake perfectly," the doctor said. "Whoever she is… she did an excellent job."

But no one in the family said a word.

They only looked at her with blank eyes… as if even her kindness was a threat.

Zain stood in the corner, silent.

He watched her quietly—this girl they all hated… who saved his father's life.

For just a second, something flickered in his eyes.

He didn't say it. He didn't show it.

But in that brief moment, a thought crossed his mind—maybe she wasn't weak.Maybe… she was kind.

Still, he kept his face cold. Unchanged.Because feelings were dangerous. And kindness was not part of his plan.

So he said nothing.

And she remained…the girl no one saw.

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