Beyond the game

Azra sat on the worn couch, staring at the hands folded in her lap. The air between her and Yuzarsif had settled into a heavy silence, but the weight of his words still pressed against her chest.

She had known, deep down, that this moment would come. That Yuzarsif, once he found them, would never simply walk away. He was relentless. He always had been.

But what he was asking of her now—no, what he was demanding—felt like too much.

Moving back.

Back to the town she had fought so hard to leave. Back to the past she had buried.

Azra lifted her gaze to Yuzarsif, who stood across the room, his expression unreadable. He had always been hard to read when he wanted to be, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the tight line of his jaw. He was waiting.

She inhaled deeply, forcing her voice to remain steady. "You can't expect me to just pack up and leave."

Yuzarsif's eyes flickered with something she couldn't quite place—frustration, maybe. Or understanding. "I'm not expecting it to be easy, Azra. But it's the only way."

"The only way?" She let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "You're asking me to uproot our lives overnight. To go back to a place I swore I'd never return to."

Yuzarsif crossed his arms. "You swore I'd never return to Ameer's life either."

The words hit her like a blow.

She sucked in a sharp breath, willing herself not to react. Not to let him see the crack forming in her resolve.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Azra, I won't fight you for custody. I won't put Ameer through a court battle. But I will be in his life. I won't accept anything less."

Her fingers tightened in her lap. "And you think dragging me back there is the solution?"

"It's not about you." His voice was firm, unwavering. "It's about Ameer. He deserves to know where he comes from. He deserves to know his family."

Family.

The word sent a cold chill down her spine.

Azra had spent years convincing herself that she and Ameer were fine on their own. That they didn't need anyone else. But now, sitting here, facing the reality of Yuzarsif's return, she felt the walls she had built around herself begin to crumble.

She swallowed hard. "You think your family will just accept him? Just like that?"

A shadow crossed Yuzarsif's face. "They'll have to."

She studied him carefully. "And if they don't?"

His jaw clenched. "Then that's their problem. Not his."

Azra let out a slow breath, her mind racing. She had spent six years keeping Ameer safe, protecting him from a world she wasn't sure would ever embrace him. But she had always known that one day, Yuzarsif would return.

And now that day was here.

She looked away, staring at the floor. "How long?"

Yuzarsif's brows furrowed. "What?"

"How long do I have?"

Understanding flickered in his dark eyes. "A week."

A week.

Seven days to prepare herself for the life she thought she had escaped.

Seven days before everything changed.

She nodded slowly, her throat tight. "Fine."

Relief flickered across Yuzarsif's face, but he didn't push further. He knew better than to gloat.

Azra rose to her feet, her legs unsteady. "You'll pick us up?"

"Yes."

She swallowed hard. "Then that's it."

Yuzarsif held her gaze, something unspoken passing between them.

For the first time in years, she felt like she was losing control. And she hated it.

She turned away, pressing a hand to her chest.

One week.

Just one more week.

And then, like it or not, she was going home.

---

One Week Later

The morning air was crisp as Azra stood by the packed suitcases near the door, her arms wrapped around herself.

She had barely slept the night before. Every moment leading up to this morning had been filled with doubt, anxiety, and the nagging ache of uncertainty.

She glanced at Ameer, who was playing with his toy cars on the floor, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing inside her.

Her son.

Her world.

She was doing this for him.

A sharp knock at the door made her flinch.

She turned, staring at the door for a moment before finally moving toward it.

With a deep breath, she opened it.

Yuzarsif stood there, his expression unreadable.

"It's time."

Azra nodded slowly, her stomach twisting.

This was it.

No turning back now.

She helped Ameer into his jacket, her fingers trembling slightly as she zipped it up. He grinned up at her, excited for the journey ahead, unaware of the battle raging inside his mother.

With one last glance around the small apartment, she bent down, cupping Ameer's face in her hands. "Are you ready, sweetheart?"

Ameer nodded enthusiastically. "Are we going on an adventure, Mama?"

She forced a small smile. "Something like that."

She straightened and reached for her bag, but Yuzarsif was already there, lifting the heavier suitcases with ease. "I'll take these."

Azra simply nodded, too exhausted to argue.

As she stepped outside, the cold air nipped at her skin. She took slow steps toward the black SUV parked by the curb, Yuzarsif walking slightly ahead. Ameer tugged at her hand, bouncing with excitement.

But as they neared the vehicle, Azra's steps faltered.

Through the tinted window, she saw her.

Asna.

A familiar wave of resentment tightened Azra's chest. Every time she saw this woman, she felt the same bitter sting, the same unshakable dislike.

Of course, Asna would be here.

Because why wouldn't she be?

Azra took a deep breath, steadying herself. She had no choice but to travel back together with her.

Yuzarsif opened the back door for Ameer, who eagerly climbed in, oblivious to the tension thickening the air.

Azra hesitated for only a moment before following, sliding into the seat beside her son. Yuzarsif closed the door behind them and moved to the driver's side.

Asna, sitting in the front passenger seat, turned slightly, her lips curving into a knowing smirk. "Welcome back, Azra."

Azra clenched her jaw.

It was going to be a long ride.