The Growing Tension

Lina’s POV

The morning after Amina caught us, I woke up with a heavy weight pressing on my chest. I replayed the scene in my mind—the kiss, the door creaking open, and the teasing smirk on Amara’s face.

I wasn’t sure how to feel. On one hand, relief that she promised not to tell anyone. On the other, a nagging anxiety that our secret was now dangling by a thread.

As I shuffled into the dining room for breakfast, my family was already seated. My mother was sipping her tea, her expression as poised and unreadable as ever. Amina, on the other hand, shot me a knowing look that made my cheeks flush.

“Good morning,” my father said, setting down his newspaper. “You’re up late today.”

“Long night,” I mumbled, sliding into my seat.

Amina smirked but said nothing, thank God.

---

Zara’s POV

The tension in the Darzi household was just as thick. I could feel my parents watching me during breakfast, their gazes heavy with curiosity.

“You seemed close to Lina at the gala,” my mother said casually, though her tone suggested anything but.

I set my fork down, meeting her eyes. “She’s my wife, isn’t she? I think it’s natural for us to spend time together.”

My father chuckled, but my mother’s expression didn’t soften. “Of course. It’s just… I hope you’re keeping things professional. This marriage is about more than just the two of you.”

Professional. The word stung, but I kept my face neutral. “I understand.”

---

Lina’s POV

Later that day, Zara texted me, asking to meet in the garden behind our shared mansion. It was the one place where we could talk without the risk of being overheard.

When I arrived, she was already there, pacing near the fountain.

“Hey,” I said softly, and she turned to me, her face lighting up for a brief moment before worry clouded her features again.

“Are you okay?” she asked, stepping closer.

I nodded. “Amina hasn’t said anything. But she’s… watching. And my mom is definitely suspicious.”

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Same here. My mom made a comment this morning about keeping things ‘professional.’”

I grimaced. “What do we do?”

Zara took my hands in hers, her touch grounding me. “We can’t keep hiding forever, Lina. But we need to be smart about this. Maybe we start small—test the waters with Amara. If she’s on our side, she might help us figure out how to approach the others.”

I hesitated, the idea of coming clean to anyone filling me with dread. But Zara was right. We couldn’t keep living like this.

“Okay,” I said finally. “Let’s talk to her.”

---

Amara’s POV

When Lina and Zara asked to talk, I had a pretty good idea of what it was about. I followed them to the garden, curiosity piqued.

“So,” I said, crossing my arms as I leaned against a tree. “What’s on your minds?”

Lina glanced at Zara, who gave her an encouraging nod.

“We need your help,” Lina said finally.

My eyebrows shot up. “Help with what?”

“With… us,” Zara said, her voice steady. “We can’t keep hiding how we feel. But we also can’t just announce it to the family without a plan.”

I blinked, taken aback by their honesty. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”

“Very,” Lina said firmly, her hand slipping into Zara’s.

Something about the way they looked at each other made my usual teasing tone fade.

“Okay,” I said, straightening up. “Here’s the deal. I won’t tell anyone—obviously. But if you want my help, you need to trust me. Completely.”

They nodded in unison, and for the first time, I saw the weight of their secret lifting just a little.

---

Zara’s POV

With Amina on our side, I felt a flicker of hope for the first time in weeks. But as Lina and I walked back to the mansion, the reality of our situation hit me again.

This was just the beginning. We still had to navigate our families, their expectations, and the inevitable fallout when the truth came out.

But as Lina’s hand brushed against mine, her fingers intertwining with mine for a brief moment, I knew one thing for sure: she was worth every risk.

---