115.

The city skyline shimmered against the evening sky as Murad approached Taliya’s penthouse. The soft glow from the lights inside promised warmth and familiarity. He took a moment to compose himself, brushing a hand through his hair, reminding himself that he was here to share news that would undoubtedly change everything.

As he knocked on the door, he felt a rush of nerves. This was Taliya, after all—the girl who made his heart race and his worries fade away. The door swung open, and before he could speak, Taliya launched herself into his arms, wrapping him in a tight embrace.

“Murad!” she exclaimed, burying her face in his chest. He inhaled deeply, the scent of her hair—a blend of floral shampoo and something uniquely her—bringing an immediate sense of comfort. She pulled back slightly to look up at him, her eyes sparkling with relief and joy. “I missed you!”

Murad smiled, his heart swelling at her affection. “I missed you too,” he replied softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry it’s been a while. Things have been... complicated.”

Taliya stepped back, her expression shifting to one of concern. “Complicated? What happened?” Her voice was laced with worry as she searched his eyes for answers.

He sighed, taking a seat on the plush sofa in her living room, gesturing for her to join him. “Faraz is getting engaged to Alana,” he started, watching her reaction closely.

“It was sudden, and I wasn’t expecting it. Now, he’s officially back in the family, and things are shifting around.”

"You never told me about him being your brother. What is going on? He kidnapped me"

Taliya’s brow furrowed, her concern palpable. “But that’s good for him, right? I mean, he’s finally taken his place.” She paused, biting her lip as if trying to navigate her feelings. “Are you okay with that?”

Murad nodded, though the weight of his own emotions felt heavier. “I am happy for him,” he admitted. “He’s always been my brother, and he deserves to be part of the family again also, I will tell you everything about him, just let me get him settled inub. But...”

“But what?” Taliya prodded gently, her eyes searching his.

He leaned back against the cushions, his thoughts swirling. “I just can’t marry you right now, Taliya. Things are messed up, and I don’t want to drag you into my family’s chaos. I need to figure out where I stand in all of this first.”

Taliya’s face fell slightly, but she remained strong, reaching for his hand. “Murad, you know I’m here for you, no matter what. I’ve always been here. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Murad squeezed her hand, feeling the warmth radiate from her touch. “I know, and that’s what makes this so hard. I don’t want to hold you back, especially when you deserve so much more than what I can give right now.”

She shook her head, a hint of determination in her voice. “I want to be with you, even through the mess. You mean so much to me, and I believe we can make it work if we’re honest with each other.”

A small smile broke through his tension as he looked into her earnest eyes. “You’re amazing, you know that? But I need to sort this out. I can’t keep you waiting while I navigate my family’s issues.”

Taliya leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to wait, but I also don’t want to pressure you. Just promise me that you’ll talk to me, that we’ll figure this out together, whatever it takes.”

Murad felt a surge of warmth at her words. “I promise,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ll always talk to you. You’re my anchor, Taliya.”

Taliya smiled, the tension easing between them. “Then let’s take it one step at a time. We’ll face whatever comes next together, alright?”

“Together,” he echoed, feeling the weight of the world lift slightly at the thought. He pulled her into another embrace, inhaling her comforting scent, feeling grateful for the moment, even amidst the chaos that loomed outside their little bubble.

The warm glow of fairy lights strung around Taliya’s penthouse made the space feel almost magical, casting soft, golden reflections on the walls. The scent of cinnamon from a candle on the coffee table blended with the faint aroma of chamomile tea that Taliya had just poured into two steaming mugs. Murad sat on the large, overstuffed couch, feeling the day’s tension melt away as he took in the comfort of her home.

Taliya curled up beside him, a blanket draped over her legs, her eyes full of curiosity and care. She handed him a mug, her fingers grazing his. “You look tired,” she observed softly, concern evident in her tone. “What’s really going on, Murad?”

Murad cradled the warm mug between his hands, the heat seeping into his skin. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before finally speaking, his voice quiet but steady. “Faraz... my stepbrother,” he started, glancing up at Taliya’s attentive expression. “Our relationship has always been complicated. My father made sure of that.”

Taliya tilted her head, her brows knitting together. “How so?” she asked gently, her voice inviting him to open up.

Murad sighed, the memories pressing heavily on his mind. “Our father, Ibrahim, always favored me,” he explained. “He made it clear that I was the son he was proud of. Faraz, on the other hand... he was always pushed aside, treated like an outsider despite being just as much our father’s son. We grew up in the same house, but there was always this invisible wall between us, built by our father’s unfairness.”

Taliya’s eyes softened, and she reached out, placing her hand on his arm in a comforting gesture. “That’s awful,” she murmured. “No child should feel that way, especially because of a parent’s favoritism.”

Murad nodded, his gaze distant as he continued. “Faraz never liked me, and I can’t blame him for it. To him, I was the favored son, the one who got all the attention. Even now, even though he’s back in the family, I can tell there’s still a lot of hurt there. But you know what?” He looked back at Taliya, a small smile breaking through the sadness. “I’m glad he’s back. Even if things aren’t perfect between us, it feels... right, having him around.”

Taliya studied his expression, her eyes searching his. “You really care about him, don’t you?” she said, her voice filled with understanding.

Murad’s smile grew, a hint of warmth lighting up his features. “I do,” he admitted. “Even though he doesn’t trust me, even though he still holds all that resentment... he’s still my brother. And maybe, with time, we can fix what our father broke.”

Taliya shifted closer, her hand slipping into his, lacing their fingers together. “You’re a good person, Murad,” she whispered. “Most people wouldn’t be so understanding after everything you’ve been through. But you still want to make things right, and that’s... amazing.”

Murad looked at her, feeling the tension in his chest loosen at her words. “I’m just trying to do my best,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Sometimes, it feels impossible, but... having you here makes it easier. You always make things easier.”

Taliya’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned her head on his shoulder, the blanket covering them both as they sat together in the cozy living room. “I’ll always be here for you,” she promised. “Through everything, no matter how complicated it gets.”

Murad’s heart swelled at her words, and he turned his head slightly, resting his cheek on her hair. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he murmured, his voice soft and full of gratitude.

For a moment, they sat in peaceful silence, the world outside fading away as they found comfort in each other’s presence. The glow of the lights, the warmth of the tea, and the quiet understanding between them created a space where, for a little while, everything felt right.