Ayeza sat in her room, staring at her wedding photo. Three months married to Shahzain, and she'd never felt more alone.

Their marriage had been arranged—a business merger between families. Shahzain had made it clear from day one that he was only doing this for his father's company.

"Don't expect love from me," he'd said coldly on their wedding night. "This is a transaction, nothing more."

And he'd proven it every day since. Coming home late. Barely speaking to her. Sometimes not coming home at all.

A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts.

"Ayeza? It's Faraz."

Her heart did that familiar flutter it always did when she heard his voice. Faraz—Shahzain's best friend since childhood. The one person in this house who treated her with kindness.

She opened the door to find him standing there, concern etched on his handsome face.

"Shahzain called. He's not coming home again tonight. Some business dinner." Faraz's jaw tightened. "I brought you dinner. Thought you shouldn't eat alone."

Tears pricked her eyes at his thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Faraz. You don't have to—"

"I want to," he said softly. "Come on. I made your favorite—biryani."

They ate in comfortable silence until Faraz spoke.

"How long are you going to pretend you're okay?"

She looked up, startled. "I'm fine—"

"Ayeza, don't. Not with me." His dark eyes held hers. "I see how he treats you. How he ignores you. It kills me."

"Why does it kill you?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Faraz was quiet for a long moment. "Because I—" He stopped, shook his head. "Because you deserve better."

"But what if better isn't an option?" Her voice broke. "I'm married to him, Faraz. For better or worse."

"He's giving you worse," Faraz said angrily. "He doesn't appreciate what he has. You're intelligent, kind, beautiful—" He cut himself off. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"Why not?" She leaned forward. "Why shouldn't you say what everyone else is too polite to say? That my husband doesn't want me? That I'm trapped in a marriage with a man who treats me like a burden?"

"Ayeza—"

"No, you were right. I'm not okay. I'm miserable. And the only time I feel anything close to happiness is when—" She stopped, horrified at what she'd almost admitted.

"When what?" His voice was rough.

"When you're here," she whispered.

The air between them changed. Charged. Dangerous.

Faraz stood abruptly. "I should go."

"Don't." She stood too, surprising herself. "Please don't go. I can't... I can't be alone tonight."

"Ayeza, if I stay..." His hands clenched into fists. "You don't know what you're asking."

"Maybe I do."

They stared at each other, both knowing they were on the edge of something that would change everything.

"I can't do this to my best friend," Faraz said, but he didn't move.

"What about what he's doing to me? To you?" She stepped closer. "Faraz, I see how you look at me. The same way I look at you when I think no one's watching."

"Don't say that—"

"Why? Because it's true? Because we both know there's something between us that shouldn't exist?"

"Yes!" He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Because you're his wife. Because even though he's a terrible husband, he's still my best friend. Because wanting you the way I do makes me the worst kind of person."

"You're not a bad person," she said softly, reaching for his hand. "You're the only good thing in my life right now."

He looked down at their joined hands, then up at her face. "We can't."

"I know."

But neither of them pulled away.

Two weeks later, everything fell apart.

Ayeza came home early from a charity event to find Shahzain in their bedroom. With another woman.

The woman was half-dressed, and Shahzain didn't even have the decency to look ashamed.

"Ayeza—" he started.

"Don't." Her voice was eerily calm. "Don't you dare try to explain this."

"It's not what it looks like—"

"It's exactly what it looks like." She looked at the woman. "Get out."

The woman scrambled to dress and leave.

Once they were alone, Shahzain sighed. "Look, you knew this marriage was just for show—"

"For show?" Her voice rose. "I've been trying to make this work! I've been a good wife, I've supported you, I've never complained—"

"And I'm grateful," he said, as if that made everything okay. "But I never promised you love, Ayeza. I never lied about what this was."

"You promised fidelity!" She was shaking now. "You took vows, Shahzain. In front of Allah, in front of our families—"

"Oh, spare me the religious lecture," he said dismissively. "Half the men in our social circle have mistresses. Don't be so naive."

She slapped him. Hard.

He touched his reddening cheek, eyes cold. "Feel better?"

"I want a divorce."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"I said no." He straightened his shirt. "Our families have business ties. A divorce would be... inconvenient. We'll stay married. You can do whatever you want, as long as you're discreet. I'll extend you the same courtesy."

"I don't want your courtesy. I want out."

"Too bad. You're stuck with me." He headed for the door. "I'm going out. Don't wait up."

After he left, Ayeza collapsed on the bed, sobbing. How had her life become this nightmare?

Her phone rang. Faraz.

"Ayeza? I just saw Shahzain leaving. He looked angry. Are you okay?"

She couldn't speak through the tears.

"I'm coming over."

"No, Faraz, you shouldn't—"

"I'm already on my way."