90.

Taliya heaved a breath, struggling to regain her composure after Faraz's intense confrontation. She needed to make him understand, to break through the wall he had built around himself.

“Faraz,” she began, her voice steadying despite the tremor of fear still coursing through her, “you need to understand something. I don’t belong here. I belong with Murad. He’s the one I love.”

Faraz’s expression darkened at the mention of Murad’s name, his jaw tightening. “Murad?” he scoffed, incredulity evident in his tone. “You think he’s going to protect you? You think he cares about you as much as you believe? You don’t know what’s at stake here.”

“Of course, I know what’s at stake! I’ve been living in fear since you took me! But I refuse to be a pawn in your war,” Taliya shot back, her voice rising with emotion. “You don’t get to decide my life. I won’t let you!”

“Don’t you see?” Faraz exploded, frustration bubbling over. “It’s not just about you! It’s about your safety! Our father will destroy you if you get too close to Murad. He doesn’t care about collateral damage. He will use you to hurt Murad. He won’t think twice about tearing your life apart just to get to Murad.”

“That’s not my problem!” she shouted, feeling the heat of anger flare in her chest.

“I’m not afraid of your father. I won’t live in a cage, no matter how much you think you’re protecting me!”

Faraz took a step toward her, his expression shifting from anger to desperation.

“You don’t understand the depths of this fight, Taliya! This isn’t just some petty rivalry. Our father will stop at nothing to crush Murad and anyone associated with him. Even though I myself want to destroy Murad I can’t let you come in between them or us. You could end up hurt—worse than that!”

Taliya’s heart sank at the realization of his words. “You think keeping me here is going to protect me? Locking me away like a prisoner? That’s not protection; that’s control!”

“I’m trying to keep you safe!” Faraz shouted, his voice echoing through the house.

“You think this is easy for me? I don’t want to hurt you, but you’re caught in the middle of something far bigger than both of us. You’re innocent, and I can’t let you get hurt because of my family’s feud!”

Taliya crossed her arms, shaking her head in disbelief. “So, what’s your solution? Keep me here forever? I refuse to be your shield, Faraz. You don’t get to decide what’s best for me.”

He paused, the fight momentarily draining from him as he leaned against the wall, running a hand through his hair.

“I can’t let Murad have you, Taliya. Not while we’re in this situation. I won’t let an innocent get in the way of this fight, even if it means keeping you away from him. I can’t allow you to be used as a weapon against me.”

“Then you’re no better than your father!” Taliya spat, anger flaring in her.

“You think you’re protecting me, but you’re just as bad as he is. You can’t control everything around you. I won’t let you.”

Faraz’s eyes softened slightly, a glimmer of understanding breaking through the anger.

“You don’t know what he’s capable of, Taliya. I don’t want you to find out the hard way.”

“And I don’t want to live in fear of your family’s vendetta!” she yelled back, her voice breaking with emotion.

“I refuse to be a part of this, Faraz. You can’t dictate my life. I’ll find a way to leave, even if it means taking my chances with Murad!”

A flicker of pain crossed Faraz’s face, and for a moment, Taliya thought she saw the brother he could have been—a protector, a confidant. But then he hardened again, his resolve solidifying.

“Then you need to understand the consequences. If you run to him, you’ll be putting your life at risk. I can’t allow that to happen. I won’t lose you too.”

“Lose me?” Taliya’s heart ached at his words. “You’re not even letting me live! I’m suffocating here!”

Faraz straightened, a renewed intensity burning in his eyes.

“You think running away is the answer? You think Murad can protect you from our father? He can’t. This is my fight, and I won’t let you be a casualty of it. You’re too important to me for that.”

Taliya took a step back, the weight of his words crashing over her.

“Important to you? Or important to your plans? You’re using me as a shield against your father, Faraz. You’re not protecting me; you’re manipulating me.”

“Stop!” Faraz shouted, a mixture of frustration and desperation evident in his voice.

“You need to listen to me. I won’t let anyone hurt you, not even Murad. You’re in danger whether you realize it or not, and I’m doing this for your sake!”

“You’re doing this for yourself!” she countered, her voice trembling with emotion.

“I can’t stand by and let you control my life. I have to make my own choices, even if they lead me back to Murad.”

“Then do it,” Faraz said, his voice low but fierce.

“But know this: if you choose him, you choose to put yourself in the line of fire. I can’t save you from what’s coming, and neither can he.”

Taliya felt a chill run down her spine at the gravity of his words, but her heart remained resolute.

“I’ll take my chances. I refuse to live a life dictated by your father’s threats. I’ll find a way to be free.”

Faraz stepped back, his expression a blend of anger and resignation.

“Then you’ll have to accept the consequences of that choice, Taliya. You may think you’re strong, but the world we live in is unforgiving. And when the time comes, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

With that, he turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Taliya standing there, heart pounding and mind racing. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, but she felt a flicker of hope. She would fight for her freedom, no matter the cost.