Behind A Smile
On the verge of tears, she smiles.
Her smile hides a storm. His touch brings the thunder.
•
"Are you planning to leave me?" He snarled, his voice dripping with fury. His entire demeanor contorted in anger, the chilling blankness replaced by a terrifying rage that made Zynah shudder.
Fear flooded her voice, momentarily stealing her voice. Mustering all the courage she could, she forced out a "No."
In a split second, Bilal's frown turned into a smile, a predator satisfied with his prey's submission. He reached out, gently framing her face. He leaned in, and for a fleeting moment, she thought he was going to hit her, but instead, she felt his lips on hers.
She stilled.
Pulling away after a second or so, he spoke; his voice a low, menacing murmur. "Good," he crooned, the possessiveness in his voice sending a fresh wave of tremor through her. "Because no matter how hard you try, you can never get away from me, you will only get yourself in trouble with me, and trust me, you're going to hate yourself for defying me."
•
He claims to love her, but his affection is a cage. Will this twisted affection set her free...or break her for good?
Find out!!
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Chapter: Author's note I'd like to start by thanking every single one of you for being with me throughout this journey. Thank you for the love and support. The comments 🥺, the gemssss 🥺, the gifts 🥺. I don't take it for granted at all 💞 This book has come to an end, so I'd like to hear your thoughts about it. Did you enjoy it? Did you cry at any point? Did you laugh? Were you disappointed at certain turn of events? I bet it was an emotional rollercoaster for you. Please leave a review and rate this book :) Support me more by sharing and recommend the books to your friends and family. Thank you once again, and expect more interesting stories from me ❤️❤️💕💞🥰😌🫠 deey_jah
Last Updated: 2024-10-01
Chapter: 197 Zynah rolled her eyes. Just who would prefer to be lied to? "Yes," she replied, her voice a soft whisper. "It's true," he replied, his voice deepening. "I came for some work, and..." He drawled. "To make use of the opportunity to meet your family." "To meet my family?" She asked, surprised and totally oblivious to the fact that her mother was still sitting in the same room as her, listening to her conversation. "The kids," He clarified, his voice filled with amusement. "They are your family, aren't they?" "Oh! Okay," Zynah replied, recoiling a little. "Where are you right now? I will send you the address or have someone show you the way." "I don't really know. I will ask around and text it to you," With that, he ended the call, leaving her heart racing as usual. Zynah's lips stretch into an unknowing smile. Realizing what she was doing, she slapped herself on the face. "Who was that?" Mrs. Hafsa asked so suddenly, her voice sharp, catching Zynah off guard. "And why
Last Updated: 2024-09-30
Chapter: 196When Mrs. Hafsa opened the door, she did not expect to see her daughter and grandchildren. Her lips spread into a smile and she hugged Zynah first, her arms wrapping tightly around her daughter. Then, she crouched and showering many tender kisses on Adnan's face then picked Bilal Jr, showering just as many kisses on his face, he had to pull away, slightly disgusted. "What a pleasant surprise," Mrs. Hafsa exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "Why didn't you inform me that you were coming? Come in. Come in, my babies." Mrs. Hafsa ushered. "The kids must be exhausted. And you too." Zynah smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "If I had told you, then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore, would it? I didn't want to ruin the surprise. I wanted to make it a special moment." "I'm so excited!" Mrs. Hafsa said. "Rashida and her family are also coming to Nigeria to spend the Eid with us." "Really?" Zynah asked surprised and excited at the same time. "It's about to be a full ho
Last Updated: 2024-09-30
Chapter: 195Adnan!" Zynah hollered, her tone a mix of exasperation and impatience. "Where are you? Hurry up, otherwise, it's going to get dark before we get to Kaduna." Zynah could not stop glancing at her wristwatch. "Yipee! We're going to see granny and grandpa!" Bilal Jr jumped up and down, excitedly. "Yes, sweetie," Zynah replied, her voice softening. She smiled, reaching down to caress his chubby cheeks. Her mother, Mrs. Hafsa had been requesting to see them for a while now, she figured it would be a good idea to surprise them a day before Eid al-Adha celebrations. "Are you excited? You're also going to see your cousin, your aunties and uncle Muslim too." "Yes, Mommy!" He squealed, his laughter infectious. "I'm going to see all of them." "Yes, you are," Zynah said, kissing his forehead. Then, she stood upright. "Adnan!" She called, her voice rising again. "What on earth are you doing in your room? I'm going to leave you behind, and I mean it." She threatened. "You're the one we're w
Last Updated: 2024-09-30
Chapter: 194Khalid waved a hand over her face, snapping her from her reverie. He cleared his throat before speaking. "Are you okay?" In that moment, Zynah wanted to speak to him, to tell him what his sister in law came to discuss with her, and most importantly, to tell him that she didn't feel the same way about him if at all he had any feelings for her. But something held her back. What it was? She had no idea. "Why would I be?" She asked, finding her voice. "What do you want?" "Easy!" He said, lifting his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I'm not here to fight with you." Realizing that she had indeed been rude for no reason, Zynah swallowed. Then, she face palmed. "I'm sorry about that. I just... Woke up," she lied. "It wasn't my intention to be rude." "Alright," he replied simply, his voice laced with understanding. "Are the kids inside?" A surge of protectiveness swept over Zynah. "Yes, why? Where else would they be if not at home?" "School?" Khalid questioned, his brows furrowing. "The
Last Updated: 2024-09-30
Chapter: 193As soon as Aysha left, Zynah walked back into the house, her heart heavy. She picked up her phone, her fingers hovering over Ramlah's number. As if sending her intention, Ramlah's call came through. Zynah heaved a sigh of relief before answering. "Hello, Ramlah, how are you doing? I was just about to call you." "Really? That is to say we're thinking about each other. I'm fine. How about you? How are the kids?" "They are both fine, Alhamdulillah. How's my little princess doing? I'm sure she's as impatient as we all are to see our little prince." Ramlah chuckled. "I also can't wait to hold him in my arms, ya Zynah. It's taking too long." "Three more weeks and your wish will come true," Zynah said, a smile spreading across her face. "You're right. Thank you for always lifting my spirit with your words. I want to visit Mom and Dad soon. How about we go together, with the kids?" "That's a good idea. The kids haven't seen one another for a while now," Zynah reasoned. "It'd be fun."
Last Updated: 2024-09-30
Chapter: Chapter One Hundred Five (Final) Roshni as well as Raj were shocked by what Eshaan did. It wasn't like him to something like that to his sister. He has always been overprotective of her. "What she said is true... You only like her and not me!" Eshaan bursted into tears, his gaze fixed on his father, making it obvious that his outburst was directed at him. Raj couldn't believe what came out of Eshaan's mouth. Knowing how he was, Raj knew it must have been with him for a very long time for him to blurt everything out now and Kiran telling him that only added fuel to the fire. He shook his head in disbelief and muttered "these kids" under his breath. "That's not true, baby," Roshni was quick to chime in, putting Kiran down and moving closer to Eshaan. Just as she was about to touch him, he moved back.But that didn't stop Roshni from holding his tiny hands in hers. "Daddy loves you just as much as he loves Kiran. You both are his kids. We love you equally. There is no favoritism. None at all. You and your brother are
Last Updated: 2024-02-26
Chapter: Chapter One Hundred Four "Why are you telling me this now? Does Raj know about this?" Roshni asked. "No no... He doesn't and I don't want him to know... Just yet. I'm telling you all these right now because I need someone to confide in and I figured you're the best person for that right now," Sam shrugged. "What do you want to happen now?" Roshni asked, curiously. "I want you to please support me. That's all I need from you," Sam replied, her eyes glistening with tears. A support from a single person was what she needed at that moment. She feared Roshni might not be able to support her. It was her worst fear. "Your parents will never be able to accept him. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this to discourage you, but for you to be fully prepared," Roshni voiced. She had come to know the family she married into. "I know," Sam stated, sadly. She, of all people knew how judgemental her family tended to get. And despite knowing that, giving up wasn't in her dictionary. "And you still insist on going ahead w
Last Updated: 2024-02-26
Chapter: Chapter One Hundred ThreeRoshni looked at him in disbelief. "What did the girl do? It doesn't matter what she did. Kiran has no right at all to hit her or anyone else and that's why I'm going to punish her this time. She needs to know what she did is wrong and never have to repeat it again." "Didn't you promise never to hit someone again?" Raj asked Kiran, who had her head rested on Raj's shoulder and hands tightly wrapped around his neck. "But she started it first! She stole my drawing book," Kiran defended herself. "You should have reported her to your teacher, why didn't you?" Raj asked, putting her down unwillingly due to how tight her grip was around him. She didn't want him to put her down but he had to, to make her see and know how serious he was about her spiteful behavior. "I'm sorry daddy," she apologized, her eyes welling up with tears. "Tell me, what happens in school when you do something wrong?" Raj asked swatting down to her level. "They punish us," she replied. "And why?" He questioned.
Last Updated: 2024-02-26
Chapter: Chapter One-Hundred-Two Six years later... "Alright teacher, I'm so sorry about her behaviour," Roshni finished talking to her kids' teacher and threw a glare at Kiran. "What happened in school today?" She asked, trying to keep her anger at bay. She was tired of receiving a complaint call about Kiran almost everyday. It needed to stop!"We were given a classwork by our teacher, I dre-" she was still talking when Roshni cut her off. "You know exactly what I'm asking of Kiran," she said, sternly. "Why did you hit a pupil in school today?""I didn't-" she attempted to lie. "You know you can't lie to me right? Now give me an answer, why did you? " Roshni asked a bit more sternly now. "She pissed me off!" Kiran yelled. "How so?" Roshni questioned. "She took my drawing book away!" Kiran answered with attitude. "She did? And is that a valid reason to hit her?" Roshni asked. She was beginning to lose her patience with her. She was becoming too spoiled for her liking. Roshni could remember the time when such co
Last Updated: 2024-02-25
Chapter: Chapter One-Hundred-OneRoshniSix months later "Push!!!" The midwife yelled from between my spread legs. I pushed with all of my might and screamed. The contractions were in every forty seconds. Taking deep breaths proved cumbersome for me. The pain was unendurable for me. I couldn't bear any of it and I started to panic. What if I didn't make it or worse, my children. Yes, it was confirmed months ago by a doctor during one of my ultrasound exams. Raj and I were overjoyed for the double blessing God had given us. "Ahhhhh!!!" I screamed in anguish as my contractions came back in full force. I squeezed Raj's hand harder in return to somehow numb the pain. He wiped my sweat away with handkerchief and kept on encouraging me to try harder and that the pain was all for our babies. He was speaking to me, but I couldn't hear a word he was uttering as my mind went blank and his voice as well as the voices of the midwives and doctors floated in the air and dissipated. I was drowning in the unbearable pain that seem
Last Updated: 2024-02-25
Chapter: Chapter One Hundred Third personExactly two months since Yash and Vidhi's wedding. They went to Paris for their honeymoon and spent two weeks before finally coming back to India. All the nervousness Vidhi felt before the wedding was now replaced with contentment and love. She felt secured as his wife and that she was good enough. The advise Roshni gave her was still vivid in her mind. She would forever cherish it together with the friendship they shared. The night was still young with stars and moon beautifying the sky. Vidhi and Yash were in the balcony in each other's arms enjoying the cool breeze of the night. "Babe?" Vidhi called. "Yes, babe?" Yash answered. "How many kids do you want us to have?" She asked the question she had been longing to know the answer to. "Just ten," Yash replied and Vidhi sprung up. "What! Ten? You're kidding!" She said."No I'm not!" Yash denied."You don't love me anymore, do you?" Vidhi asked feigning hurt. "Of course I do, that's why I wanna have lots of babies w
Last Updated: 2024-02-25
A Quest For Vengeance
*Excerpt*
My gaze met Sergio's. He didn't look away. I couldn't look away either. It felt like there was an invisible magnet pulling us towards each other.
He looked away, breaking us from the trance. "Are you sure you're okay, Nicole?"
"Come inside."
He shook his head. "I was worried, and—"
"Come inside, let's talk."
He shook his head again, unyieldingly. "We're already talking."
"Are you scared?" I asked in a challenging voice, my gazed fixed on him. "What are you so scared of?"
"Nicole..."
"To answer your question, no, Sergio, I'm not okay."
"What's bothering you?"
The vulnerability in his eyes towards me was palpable. It was my chance to act. I couldn't afford to waste it. "You," I replied, my gaze still boring into his. "And your fiancee. I couldn't bear watching you together."
Sergio swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"I was jealous, Sergio."
•
*Blurb*
In a turn of events, Juliana bears witness to the brutal murder of her father—a sight she never thought she'd witness.
Amidst the turmoil, she finds out she's their next target, but somehow, she manages to evade them.
Determined to seek closure and justice for what happened to her father, Juliana takes on a new identity as Nicole and embarks on a quest for vengeance against the masterminds.
With a heart hardened by grief, she takes on the journey. A journey that would test her limits and push her to do unthinkable things.
Will she succeed?
Follow her on this journey as she confronts the demon of her past.
Read
Chapter: 42: She Doesn't Have To Know A sly smile spread across my lips as Sergio sat beside me. I loved the fact that he sounded so angry. "What did he say to you?" I wiped away the nonexistent tears from my face and shook my head. "He didn't say anything." "Nicole!" Sergio's voice was firm. "Look at me. Talk to me! Tell me exactly what he said to you!" That was my chance. I averted my gaze to him, making sure to fixate my gaze in his. Air fanned my eyes making tears instantly well up in them. "I don't know why Diego dislikes me this much. I thought we were getting along. I thought he liked me, but I've been wrong. This isn't even the first time he's treating me like I'm a nobody," I swallowed. "I know I'm not, but it still hurts when he reminds me of that all the time. He always finds ways to make sneaky remarks about me. Why? What's my offence? I didn't want to take your card but you insisted I do, I went shopping to get a few essential things I needed, and I end up being called a golddigger and a socia
Last Updated: 2024-07-27
Chapter: 41; Accusations "I don't know what you're talking about, Diego," I insisted. Diego shook his head, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I'm your brother, Sergio. I know you better than anyone else. Besides, I saw you leaving the room." Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to remain calm. I couldn't afford to be caught. Not now or ever. "I went there," I began, my voice steady. "because like she said, she had a breakdown and I went there to comfort. That was it." "I believe you," Diego said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You'd never do anything to jeopardize your relationship with Scarlett. You're also not that kind of person to cheat on anyone, let alone Scarlett. It's Nicole that I don't trust." His words sent a pang to my heart. Despite being guilty, I couldn't fathom Diego harboring such thought about Nicole, especially after she'd risked her life for our father. "Why don't you trust her?" I asked, anger creeping into my voice. "She saved Dad's life!" "I'm sorry to say t
Last Updated: 2024-07-24
Chapter: 40: What Really Happened? SERGIO'S POV Nestled in Scarlett's arms, I couldn't help but remember the illicit thrill I had experienced with Nicole last night while Scarlett was busy sleeping. Last night's kiss with Nicole had been a betrayal of everything I claimed to be, yet the memory lingered. I felt extremely guilty, but I couldn't stop myself. The thought of doing it again wasn't repulsive. In fact, just thinking about it made me suck my bottom lip involuntarily. This wasn't me. I wasn't a cheat. But there was something about Nicole that I couldn't put my finger on. Something alluring. I wanted to stay away, but the more I tried, the more I became drawn to her. It was as if I was trapped in a magnetic pull towards her. Scarlett's voice, soft and soothing, broke into my reverie. "Babe, I've been talking to you. Where has your mind traveled to?" The question was innocent, but it felt like she'd seen through me. I leaned in, my heart pounding a guilty rhythm as I placed a quick kiss on her lips. How
Last Updated: 2024-07-22
Chapter: 39: The Golddigger Label Rosa's squeal sent a jolt through me as she crushed me in a bear hug. "Oh my God, Nicole! Where have you been? Do you know how worried I was? I've missed you so much!" My arms snaked around Rosa's back, returning her hug briefly before I pulled away, a smile tugging at my lips. "I've missed you too." Rosa's eyes scanned me from head to toe, particularly my outfit. "You look different, Nicole! What's the secret? Tell me you've hooked a rich billionaire, babe!" I rolled my eyes. Rosa would always be Rosa. A golddigger through and through. I loved her though. She had been a good friend to me from the first time I started working at the coffee shop with her. Her heart was as big as her dreams. Her eyes widened in excitement. "It's true, isn't it?" I chuckled. "You could say that." She gasped, her eyes sparking with excitement. "You're lying!" "Of course I am," I playfully pushed her away. "Do these things even happen in real life? I have told you before to stop watchi
Last Updated: 2024-07-21
Chapter: 38: What Happened Last Night? Last night was like a dream. Waking up the next morning, the remnant of his cologne on my nightie filled my nostrils. I still couldn't believe Sergio was in my room, his lips meeting mine in a desperate and undeniably passionate kiss. A kiss that defied his pleas, his warnings about not jeopardizing his long term relationship with Scarlett. Now, who was the traitor? My reflection in the bathroom mirror barely registered as I splashed cold water on my face. The events of last night couldn't stop playing over and over again in my mind. For a fact, I knew Sergio had feelings for me. It was pretty glaring, the lingering gazes said it all — I was also certain that even Diego could tell. I had seen the way he looked at us whenever Sergio and I were in the same space, Interacting. It was always almost as if he had something to say to us, but always kept it to himself. Or at least always tried to keep it to himself — but I didn't know he was going to act up on it. I had always been a
Last Updated: 2024-07-20
Chapter: 37: Stay With Me I felt shivers run down my spine as his lips moved against mine softly at first, then, his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer to his body and evoking sensations that I never knew I was capable of feeling before. My arms instantly wrapped around his neck, savoring the taste of his plump lips. I was kissing him back with the same passion. Then, he stopped, and stepped back. In his eyes, I could see a mix of regret and satisfaction? "I'm sorry," he started, breathing deeply. "I shouldn't have..." I scoffed, taking a few steps away from him. It was my turn to give him a dose of his own medicine. "Then leave, Sergio." "Are you okay though?" he asked, closing the gap between them. "I just want to make sure." "I am," I answered, wiping nonexistent tears from my eyes. "I'll be okay." "Nicole..." Sergio began to speak but the rest of his words died on his lips. "We shouldn't—" I rolled my eyes, annoyed at his indecisiveness. One minute, he was saying someth
Last Updated: 2024-07-04
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