Beyond the game

Azra sat on the hospital bed, staring at her trembling hands. The white sheets felt too rough against her skin, the hospital room too suffocating. The steady beep of the heart monitor reminded her that she was still alive, but inside, she felt dead.

Pregnant.

The word echoed in her mind, twisting like a knife in her chest.

She was carrying Yuzarsif's child.

The man she had given her heart to. The man she had trusted more than anyone else. The man who had betrayed her.

Her body shook as she fought back the emotions swelling inside her. She wanted to scream. To cry. To disappear.

Rahma sat beside her, silent and tense. Azra knew her best friend was waiting for her to speak, to say something, anything.

Finally, she did.

"Rahma," Azra whispered, her voice hoarse.

Rahma leaned forward immediately. "I'm here."

Azra closed her eyes, steadying herself. "You have to promise me something."

Rahma frowned. "What is it?"

Azra opened her eyes, locking her gaze with Rahma's. "You can't tell Yuzarsif."

Rahma blinked. "Tell him what?"

Azra clenched her fists. "About the baby."

Rahma's eyes widened in shock. "Azra, you can't be serious!"

Azra turned away, staring blankly at the wall. "I am."

Rahma shook her head in disbelief. "Azra, that's his child. He has a right to know."

Azra's heart twisted painfully. "He lost that right the moment I found out I was just a bet."

Rahma sighed, rubbing her temples. "Azra, I understand you're hurt, but this is different. This isn't just about you and Yuzarsif—there's a baby involved now."

Azra's grip tightened on the sheets. "I don't care. I won't let him manipulate me again."

Rahma looked at her with a mix of sadness and frustration. "So what are you planning to do? Just act like nothing happened?"

Azra took a deep breath. "No. I'm leaving."

Rahma's face fell. "Leaving?"

Azra nodded, her jaw set. "I need to get away. Somewhere far. Somewhere he'll never find me."

Rahma stared at her, speechless.

"You're running away?" Rahma finally asked.

Azra let out a shaky breath. "Yes."

Rahma exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "This is insane."

"I don't have a choice," Azra said, her voice cracking.

Rahma stood up, pacing the room. "You do have a choice! You could stay and face this! You could tell him the truth!"

Azra shook her head. "I can't. If I stay, he'll find out. And I can't let that happen."

Rahma stopped pacing, her eyes filled with conflict. "Azra… where would you even go?"

Azra hesitated. "Somewhere far. I'll figure it out."

Rahma let out a humorless laugh. "You don't even have a plan."

"I'll make one," Azra said, determination in her voice.

Rahma exhaled, pressing her fingers against her temples. "You really don't want him to know, do you?"

Azra swallowed hard. "No."

Rahma sat back down, sighing deeply. "You're really set on this?"

Azra nodded.

Rahma looked away, her jaw clenched. "Damn it, Azra."

Azra reached out, taking Rahma's hand. "Will you help me?"

Rahma stayed silent for a long time. Then, finally, she nodded. "Fine. But I still think this is a mistake."

Azra gave her a weak smile. "Thank you."

Rahma sighed. "You owe me for this."

Azra looked down at her stomach, her heart heavy. "I know."

She knew she was making a choice she could never take back.

But she had no other option.

She had to disappear.

She had to protect herself.

And no matter what happened, Yuzarsif could never find out the truth.

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