Unbreak Me

Shock had me standing motionless.

"Ammar," I whispered and his head turned toward me, a slow grin crawling up his lips.

I willed myself to walk forward but it was like I was physically incapable. Mom and Dad stared at me expectantly. As if I was supposed to run forward and hug Ammar like this was a movie and we were long lost lovers.

The truth was, I was still hung-up on Zayn and our conversation back in the car. As I stared at my husband, I forced myself to feel an ounce of the attraction I felt for Zayn. Yet I couldn't muster those tingly feelings. I didn't find comfort in Ammar's harsh black eyes. My stomach didn't flutter seeing him smile.

Actually... I was going to be sick.

Before I knew it, I was cupping a hand over my mouth and sprinting across the room towards the bathroom and emptying the contents of my stomach. By the time I was done, I felt numb and a bad aftertaste of the weird substance soured my mouth. The air also smelled extremely unpleasant.

I flushed the toilet, barely hearing the concerned voices right outside the door and loosening the knot of my scarf from around my neck. Immediately after I had entered through the main door, I had ripped off my veil and barged into my parents' room—only to find this.

I gargled and stared at my reflection in the mirror. G.o.d, I looked dead.

"Babe?" Ammar gently knocked on the door and I shuddered.

Why was I feeling this way? Ammar was my husband—only for another excruciating week—and sure, I didn't like him most of the time but that was only because...

I drew in calming breaths and told myself to calm down. Only

The door popped open and Ammar's head stuck inside to peek at me. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I lied. "Just a stomach bug. Sorry."

He smiled, buying into my lie. That was another difference between him and Zayn. I mentally slapped myself for thinking about Zayn again.

Ammar opened the door wider for me and stepped back to allow me s.p.a.ce to get out. I stiffened when his hand entangled with mine and when I saw the predatory look in his eyes, I was scared out of my mind.

No. No. No.

"Did you like my surprise?" He whispered, face nearing mine until my back was ramrod straight and my stomach fell to the floor.

Please don't let me be sick again.

"I... didn't know you were coming," I stammered. "This soon, I mean. The meeting is still—"

"Shh," He placed a finger on my mouth and I stepped back unsteadily.

Whether he got the message or not, he didn't show it. Casually, he all but dragged me towards where my parents sat on the bed.

Dad looked angry. I knew he had seen the little show Ammar had just put up and did not like it one bit. Some of the weight from my shoulders lifted when Dad's kind eyes met mine.

I didn't regret anything I'd done for Dad but I knew he felt guilty. I'd have been free of Ammar's clutches long ago if it wasn't for this man. But he was worth it. Just one look from him would make my day.

No, I didn't regret it one it.

"You okay with Ammar being here?" Dad's voice was weak with sickness but it was fierce and protective. It was everything I needed.

I smiled, hoping it was convincing enough. Before I could rea.s.sure him, Ammar slipped an arm around my waist, sleazing a hand up and down. I tried to keep the smile on my face intact although it was getting harder and harder to. The constant need to throw up was too much.

"Why wouldn't she be, Uncle?" For a moment I thought I saw a flash of anger in Ammar's eyes.

Nothing I disliked more than disrespectful men.

Dad didn't look convinced but he didn't say anything either. Soon, Mom got up to heat up leftover food for Ammar. I offered to go in her stead but Ammar wouldn't let me.

That's what I disliked the most about him. He wanted to possess. To consume. To tell me who was boss.

It felt like I was put in a too-small cage again and I couldn't, for the life of me, breathe.

I knew it was only the beginning of this torture, though.

I knew there was more to this night by the glint in Ammar's eyes.

But I wouldn't let the horrors let me down.

In moments like these, I tried to remember the good things in life and hugged them close to me.

I needed them to face the monsters.