106.

The grand hall of Murad’s mansion was shrouded in dim lighting, casting shadows that danced along the walls as the evening settled in. Murad walked in, unbuttoning his coat, his mind still on Taliya. He was replaying their conversation, the worry in her eyes, her questions about Faraz. He was lost in thought until he looked up and froze.

There, seated casually in his leather armchair, was Faraz. He was sipping a glass of Murad’s finest whiskey as if he owned the place, his presence filling the room with an unsettling calm. His gaze was sharp, intense, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes as he looked at Murad.

"Hello, little brother," Faraz greeted with a slight smirk. His voice was smooth, almost taunting. “Nice place. Seems you've done well for yourself.”

Murad’s hands clenched into fists as he tried to mask his surprise. “What are you doing here, Faraz?” he asked, his voice cold.

Faraz shrugged, swirling his drink. “What? No warm welcome? I thought you'd be happy to see family.” He laughed, but there was no warmth in it. “Or have you forgotten who you are?”

Murad took a steadying breath, his expression hardening. “I’m done with the games, Faraz. If you’re here to drag me back into the mess our father created, you’re wasting your time.”

Faraz raised an eyebrow, setting his glass down with a deliberate clink. “Oh, don’t act so righteous, Murad. You’re not as clean as you pretend to be. The blood that runs in your veins is just as tainted as mine, as his.”

Murad’s jaw tightened, but he held his ground. “I left that part of my life behind. Unlike you, I don’t cling to the power he offered.”

Faraz leaned forward, a predatory glint in his eyes. “Left it behind? You’re living in a mansion built on that blood money, Murad. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re any different from me—or from him.”

Murad felt the old anger rising, the bitterness he’d fought to bury. But tonight, it felt close to the surface, almost impossible to contain. “Maybe I can’t erase where I come from,” he replied, his voice a low growl. “But that doesn’t mean I’m like him. And if you’ve come to threaten me, you can leave now.”

Faraz gave a humorless chuckle, his eyes narrowing. “Threaten you? Murad, I’m here to help you. Our father has done enough damage to both of us. You know that as well as I do.”

Murad studied him, his eyes darkening as the implication of Faraz’s words settled in. “And what exactly are you proposing?”

Faraz’s gaze was unyielding, his expression deadly serious. “You and I both know he won’t stop. He’ll keep destroying everything we build, everything we try to escape from. And we can’t stand by and let him continue, can we?”

Murad took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Faraz’s. “You’re suggesting we work together?” His voice was laced with disbelief.

Faraz shrugged, his smirk returning. “Why not? We may hate each other, but we hate him more. And if we join forces… well, we might actually stand a chance of bringing him down. Permanently.”

Murad let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “We don’t work together, Faraz. We never have, and I don’t trust you.”

Faraz’s expression turned cold. “Maybe you should. Our father is a danger to both of us, Murad. To everyone around us. Do you think he’ll just let you walk away? That he’ll let you live your quiet little life without interference? We’re his sons. As long as we breathe, we’re a part of his empire, whether we want to be or not.”

Murad’s gaze drifted away, the weight of Faraz’s words sinking in. He hated to admit it, but Faraz was right. Their father had always held an iron grip over their lives, a grip Murad had tried so hard to escape. And he knew, deep down, that his father would never let go easily.

“I don’t trust you,” Murad repeated, but there was less conviction in his voice now.

Faraz leaned back, crossing his legs casually. “You don’t have to trust me. But think about what’s at stake here. I want him gone just as much as you do. Maybe even more.”

Murad stared at him, his mind racing. He knew the risks. Faraz had always been unpredictable, a loose cannon driven by ambition and resentment. But the alternative was to continue living under their father’s shadow, to continue allowing him to manipulate and control their lives.

“What’s your plan?” Murad finally asked, his voice reluctant but resolute.

Faraz’s smirk widened, a spark of triumph in his eyes. “I knew you’d come around. I have a few ideas,” he said, his tone smooth and confident. “We start small. We chip away at his empire from the inside, expose his weaknesses. Make him vulnerable. And when the time is right, we strike.”

Murad’s fists unclenched as he weighed the decision. This alliance felt dangerous, precarious, like a deal with the devil. But perhaps, in this case, it was a necessary evil.

“I’m only doing this for one reason, Faraz,” he said, his voice firm. “To be free of him. Don’t think for a second that this makes us allies.”

Faraz raised his glass, a dark glint of amusement in his eyes. “Oh, of course not. This is purely business.” He raised his glass in a mock toast. “To family unity, then. For as long as it lasts.”

Murad didn’t respond. He watched his brother, a silent storm brewing in his gaze, as he realized just how much he was about to risk. But if it meant taking down the man who had cast such a dark shadow over their lives, it was a risk he was willing to take.

They sat in silence, the tension between them simmering like a fire waiting to ignite.