Chapter 20: The Storm Behind His Eyes
Zayn stood still by the window, rain dripping down the glass, mirroring the storm in his eyes. Elira stood a few steps behind him, silent. The tension between them felt like it could shatter glass.
"You lied to me," he said coldly.
Elira's heart dropped. "Zayn, I never meant to"
He turned to face her, eyes sharp. "You kept everything from me. About your father. About the deal. About why you agreed to marry me in the first place."
She stepped closer. "Because I had no choice! My family was drowning, Zayn. And you You hated me from the start. How was I supposed to tell you the truth when you treated me like"
"Like what?" His voice cracked. "Like someone I didn't want to fall for?"
Elira's breath caught in her throat.
There was silence. Then he whispered, "You ruined me."
"No, Zayn," she said, her voice trembling. "You ruined me. You judged me without knowing me."
He stepped closer, so close she could hear the pain in his breath. "And now that I know you… I don't know how to hate you anymore."
Tears welled up in her eyes. "Then don't."
Elira's chest heaved as she fought to steady her breathing. The letter Zayn had written was clutched in her trembling hand. His words were raw. Honest. Unfiltered.
"I hated you because I didn't know how to love you. You reminded me of everything I wasn't ready to face. But the truth is… I never stopped noticing you. And now, I can't stop wanting you."
She couldn't believe he'd written those words. The same man who used to look through her like she didn't exist. Now he was baring his soul in ink.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway, and then a soft knock.
"Elira?"
It was Zayn.
She didn't answer, just wiped her face quickly and tucked the letter under her pillow.
The door creaked open slowly. He stood there, uncertain, not in his usual composed stance. He looked... nervous.
"I saw you weren't at dinner. I thought maybe..." he rubbed the back of his neck, "you read it."
She nodded.
Silence stretched between them, heavy and fragile.
"I didn't know how to say it to your face," he admitted. "Not after everything I put you through."
Elira looked at him, eyes glossy but calm. "Why now, Zayn?"
"Because every time you looked at me like I was a stranger... it broke something in me. I didn't realize how much I needed you, until I thought I'd lost you."
She turned away, unsure of what to say. A month ago, she would have given anything to hear those words. But now?
"You don't get to choose when I matter," she said quietly. "I spent months begging for your attention. Now I finally found my peace... and you want to pull me back?"
Zayn took a step closer. "I know I hurt you. I was cold, cruel even. But I swear, Elira, I never meant to destroy you. I was scared. Of loving someone so deeply. Of needing you."
Her heart twisted. She wanted to believe him. She did believe him.
But trust wasn't something she could offer again so easily.
"Prove it, Zayn," she said after a pause. "If you want me... then fight for me. Don't just write letters. Show me I'm worth more than your regrets."
His eyes lit up with hope, just a flicker.
"I will," he promised. "Even if it takes a lifetime."
He turned to leave, but not before glancing back once more like he couldn't bear to turn his back on her again.
Elira sat on the edge of the bed, her heart louder than ever.
Maybe... just maybe... the man who once hated her was finally learning how to love her.