Beyond the game

Asna sat in the hotel lobby, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. Yuzarsif had left early for the company, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't stop thinking about the little boy she saw yesterday.

His eyes, his face—everything about him screamed Yuzarsif.

But that was impossible. Yuzarsif never had a child, at least not to his knowledge.

A deep feeling of unease settled in her chest.

I have to find out who that boy is.

She grabbed her purse and headed out, determined to uncover the truth.

---

Uncovering the Secret

Asna wasn't the type to do things blindly. She had connections, and she knew how to use them. She called a local investigator, a man she had worked with before.

"I need you to find out who a little boy is. Around five years old. Lives near the Marwana central park," she instructed.

The investigator didn't ask questions. "I'll get back to you soon."

She waited in her hotel room, anxiety eating away at her. Hours passed before her phone finally rang.

"I have the information," the investigator said.

Asna straightened up. "Tell me."

"The boy's name is Ameer. He's five years old. His mother is a woman named Azra. She works at a small bookstore near the park."

Asna's grip on the phone tightened.

Azra.

So, it was true.

Azra had Yuzarsif's child and had been hiding him all these years.

A storm of emotions raged inside her—jealousy, anger, and fear.

If Yuzarsif found out about Ameer, he would never look at any other woman. He would never look at her.

She couldn't let that happen.

---

The Confrontation

Without wasting another moment, Asna left the hotel and made her way to the bookstore.

It was a small, cozy shop tucked between two buildings, the kind of place people rarely paid attention to. She stepped inside, the smell of old books filling her nose.

And there she was—Azra.

Standing behind the counter, arranging books on a shelf.

Asna's blood boiled at the sight of her.

Azra looked different from the last time Asna had seen her. She was thinner, her face more mature, and there was a deep sadness in her eyes.

But what angered Asna the most was the quiet strength she carried.

Azra turned around and froze when she saw Asna.

"Asna?" she whispered, eyes wide in shock.

"You thought you could hide forever, didn't you?" Asna said, crossing her arms.

Azra quickly composed herself. "What are you doing here?"

Asna smirked. "I should be asking you the same thing. Living quietly in Marwana, raising Yuzarsif's son in secret?"

Azra's face paled.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, drop the act, Azra," Asna snapped. "I know the truth. Ameer is Yuzarsif's son. And you never told him."

Azra took a deep breath. "He doesn't need to know."

Asna's eyes flashed with fury. "You think you can keep Yuzarsif away from his own son? Do you have any idea what he's been through these last six years? He never stopped looking for you!"

Azra looked away, pain flickering in her eyes.

"That's exactly why I left," she whispered.

Asna clenched her fists. "You're selfish. You had his child and disappeared like a coward. Do you really think he'll forgive you once he finds out?"

Azra's lips trembled, but she stood her ground. "He doesn't need to find out. I'll handle Ameer on my own."

A slow, cruel smile spread across Asna's lips.

"Then I'll make sure he never finds out."

Azra's eyes snapped to her. "What?"

Asna stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You don't want Yuzarsif in Ameer's life? Fine. I won't tell him. But in return, you stay away from him. Forever."

Azra's breath hitched.

"What are you saying?"

"I mean exactly what I said," Asna whispered coldly. "If you ever try to come back into Yuzarsif's life, I will personally ruin you. I'll make sure he hates you for the rest of his life."

Azra's heart pounded.

Asna wasn't bluffing. She had the money, the influence—she could destroy everything Azra had built in these last six years.

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Azra exhaled shakily. "Fine. Just leave."

Asna smirked.

"Good choice."

She turned on her heels and walked out of the bookstore, victorious.

Azra, meanwhile, sank into a chair, feeling like the walls were closing in on her.

She had kept Ameer a secret for so long.

Now, she had no choice but to keep herself hidden too.

For Yuzarsif's sake.

And for Ameer's.

---