Chapter 12 Arrogant and Bossy

Zenab's phone rang for what felt like the hundredth time. It was Dave calling, and her irritation was mounting. Didn't he understand that she didn't want to speak with him?

She sighed and hung up, frustrated. He had been calling her regularly ever since that day Sander had kidnapped her, persisting even when she left his calls unanswered.

"Who keeps calling you?" Jaymie asked, her curiosity evident.

It was the day after Jayson's successful surgery, and everyone was rejoicing over the news that the tumor had been removed without complications. Jayson was going to be okay, and they would be able to bring him home in two weeks. Zenab had invited Jaymie to late lunch, wanting her friend to take a break now that Jayson was out of danger. She deserved some time to breathe and relax after all the stress surrounding Jayson's diagnosis.

"It's just Dave... the idiot doesn't seem to grasp the hint," Zenab replied, her irritation creeping into her tone.

The thought of him fueled her anger, making her want to break something—specifically, his nose. If only he had loved her, if only he had thought with his mind rather than his desires, she wouldn't be stuck in this situation.

Beneath her anger and resentment lay a deep pain, one that still gripped her heart tightly. Even after a year without seeing him, that pain lingered, tearing her apart little by little. She hated that she hadn't healed, that he still held so much influence over her emotions.

"Maybe he wants to talk to you about Emerald," Jaymie suggested.

Zenab looked at her in disbelief, questioning why she would even think that. Both Dave and Emerald loathed her, with Emerald even declaring that she was no longer her mother.

Her expression must have conveyed her skepticism, prompting Jaymie to add quickly, "Emerald hasn't been herself lately. She tries to hide it, but as a mother, I notice these things. I truly believe she needs you. She needs her mom."

A wave of worry began to rise within Zenab, but she pushed it down. No way did Emerald need her. As she had pointed out, her daughter hated her and had Dave to rely on.

Moreover, how could she help her? Zenab was in a dark place, terrified that Emerald would see who she had become and hate her even more, or worse, that she would lose control and inadvertently hurt her.

She honestly doubted Emerald's opinion of her had changed at all. Her initial plan to mend their relationship once she was mated to Sander had involved forcing her way back into Emerald's life, striving to be involved as her biological mother. But that plan would have to wait until she was sure she wouldn't endanger her daughter.

"Maybe you're right—or maybe you're not. Either way, I can't be a mother to her right now. I'm in a dark place, Jaymie, and I doubt I can be of any help. If anything, I might just make things worse," she whispered, averting her gaze to hide the internal struggle—a battle of light versus darkness.

"What are you hiding from me, Zenny? Don't think I haven't noticed," Jaymie pressed.

Zenab longed to be honest, to seek comfort from her friend, to hear reassuring words. But she couldn't burden Jaymie further; she was already shouldering so much. The last thing she needed was to learn just how broken Zenab truly felt.

Just as Zenab was about to offer a lie, her phone rang again. She hurried to answer it, avoiding looking at the caller ID, desperate to dodge the conversation she was having.

"Hello?"

"Get ready this evening. I'll be coming to pick you up for dinner," Sander's deep voice resonated from the other end.

Zenab felt a surge of irritation at Sander. What was it about this man that made him think he could order her around as if she were his obedient omega? She wanted to tell him exactly where to shove his dinner plans, but she caught a glimpse of Jaymie's concerned expression and held her tongue.

After she climbed into Sander's car, they drove in silence. He seemed lost in thought, still visibly annoyed. It took nearly forty-five minutes to reach her cottage, where he dropped her off without another word before driving away.

The following day, one of Sander's men arrived at her cottage to return her car, phone, and handbag. He, too, said little; he simply dropped off her belongings and left. Since that day, three days ago, she hadn't heard a word from Sander.

"What time?" she asked sweetly, though all she wanted was to strangle him.

"I'll be at your cottage by seven. Be ready by then, and don't keep me waiting," he replied before abruptly ending the call.

Bastard, she muttered to herself. Why did he have to be so arrogant and bossy? Surely, asking politely wouldn't cause his pride to shatter.

Zenab glanced at her watch and frowned; it was already five o'clock. That left her just two hours to get home and prepare.

"Is everything okay?" Jaymie asked, noticing the frown etched on Zenab's face.

"Yeah, I just need to head out. Can we postpone our date?" Zenab replied, not wanting to explain further. "I know we need to catch up, and we will, but I really have to go."

Jaymie studied her for a moment before finally nodding. Zenab decided against sharing the details, knowing that Jaymie would freak out at the possibility of her having dinner with Mile's ex.

After pulling Jaymie into a tight hug and reassuring her that she would call later, Zenab hurried to her cottage. You would think hellhounds were on her trail.

By the time Zenab arrived home, she had resolved not to go to dinner. She couldn't allow Sander to keep pushing her around, commanding her as if she were one of his subordinates.

"Do you think that's a good idea? Standing up to him?" Red asked, a rare calmness settling over her. Today, she wasn't restless or exhausted from battling the darkness.

"Maybe not, but we can't let him continue to boss us around. How can we earn his respect or be seen as equals if we simply cater to his every whim?" Zenab argued.

"I honestly think it's a bad idea. Remember what happened last time," Red cautioned.

Zenab did remember; she had been there. Still, she felt that standing her ground was the only viable option. Their arrangement wouldn't last if Sander kept treating them like omegas.

"Your funeral," Red murmured before drifting back to sleep.

Taking advantage of the moment, Zenab sank into the tub, allowing herself to relax with a glass of wine. It felt good to quiet the racing thoughts in her mind. So much peace washed over her that she started dozing off without even realizing it.

The sound of a presence in the room jolted her awake. Blinking, she finally focused on a furious Sander standing in the doorway, his expression chilling enough to send a shiver down her spine.

"I told you to be ready! Instead, I find you asleep in the bathtub after knocking on your door for nearly fifteen minutes!" he growled, his fists clenched and eyes glowing with frustration.