Next Day.
Time : 08:00 PM
The private jet touched down smoothly on the Kuala Lumpur International Airport runway, its wheels gliding effortlessly on the slick tarmac. A thick humidity hung over the city. The sky was overcast, the warm breeze carrying a slight chill, but nothing close to the London cold they had left behind.
Ibrahim and Ava walked side by side, moving swiftly through the private exit reserved for them. They had their own system for getting through the airport smoothly, bypassing the usual crowds and chaos. As they walked, Ibrahim checked his phone for updates. Without looking up, he asked, "Did you tell Elara to come here to the airport? Why?"
Ava responded, "I didn't ask for it. Farah said they'd come." She kept her pace steady, not wanting to engage too much.
Ibrahim glanced at her briefly before smirking, "You and Farah... quite the bond you two share. It's like nothing in the world could break it." He shrugged.
But then, he abruptly stopped, his eyes fixated on the message he had just received. Something in his expression changed. Ava, who had taken a few steps ahead, paused and turned to look at him. His face was tense, the carefree mood gone. "What is it?" she asked, half-joking. "Did you see a ghost or something?"
He didn't answer immediately, his gaze still fixed on the screen, his lips pressed tightly together. He stuffed his phone into his pocket, muttering a quick "nothing" before starting to walk again. But the tension remained etched on his face. Whatever that message was, it had unsettled him deeply.
As they neared the exit, her eyes found Elara and Farah waiting for them. Without a second thought, she ran to him."Elara!" Her voice cracked with emotion, and when she reached him, she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight.
Elara wrapped his arms around her just as firmly, his hand gently brushing the back of her head, pulling her closer. "Ava... You're safe now... you're home."
"I... I didn't even get to say goodbye before I left," she choked out, "I thought I'd never see you again."
He pulled back just enough to look at her face, brushing a tear from her cheek. "You don't have to say goodbye again. I'm here. I've got you."
Ava's gaze drifted to Ibrahim, who stood a few paces away, watching them, "He won't let me go with you, Elara."
The older brother walked up to Ibrahim, "So, at the end, you found my sister. I thought I'd send her somewhere else before you had the chance, but you didn't give me time. No warning... nothing. You really are quite the planner, aren't you?"
"I've heard the saying," Ibrahim smirked, "that no matter how smart the criminal thinks he is, he always makes mistakes." He took a step closer, his tone growing colder. "And you, Elara—you made yours. It wasn't hard to find the loopholes. You left gaps—too many gaps in your little scheme. You're good, I'll admit. But I'm better. Ava was never meant to slip through my fingers, and you should've known better. You underestimated me, and that's why you failed. You knew, from the moment she left, that I'd find her."
"You might've won this round, but don't fool yourself. She's not some trophy for you to claim." Elara's tone was sharp, "You think because you've found her, it's over? You're mistaken. She's free to choose where she wants to be, and I'll make sure she stays safe, whether you like it or not."
Ibrahim's smirk only widened, "I never claimed to be a mere player. I'm the game itself. You better play your cards right. The stakes are high, and I always win."
Elara's jaw tightened. "You're not part of this game anymore. Ava will live with me now."
Ibrahim shot a glare at Farah, who was still holding Ava's hand, and then looked back at Ava. With a curt nod to Elara, he replied, "Sure. If Ava wants that, then why not?"
Ava's heart raced at the sudden shift. Did Ibrahim just agree so easily? She stared at him, bewildered, as he began to approach her. Instinctively, she stepped behind Farah, seeking a barrier between them.
"Come forward," Ibrahim commanded. His tone was so heavy and authoritative that it pulled Ava from her hiding place. Slowly, she stepped out from behind Farah.
"Ten days. For ten days you can live without me. But not more than that." His eyes locked onto hers. Afterall he wasn't the type to let go easily. He reached into the chest pocket of his shirt and pulled out the very ring that had been a symbol of their tumultuous bond—the wedding ring she thought was lost.
He took her hand, slipping the ring onto her finger, "I will come to see you every day."
Ava tried to withdraw her hand, murmuring, "No need for that,"
"I need that." He tightened his grip around her wrist, "I need you. I will always need you. You don't understand how important you are to me, and I can't bear the thought of losing you again."
"I think we should go now." Elara's voice cut through.
Ibrahim couldn't respond. He stood frozen, watching as Ava, Farah, and Elara climbed into the cab. He wanted so desperately for Ava to turn around, to look back at him one last time. Just one glance to seal the promise that she hadn't forgotten him, that she would still think of him even when they were apart. But she didn't. The cab pulled away, and as it disappeared into the distance, Ibrahim felt a void open up inside him.
He had found her, only to lose her again, and this time it felt more profound than ever. He clenched his fists, his heart racing with a mixture of rage and despair, the shadows of his obsession closing in around him. Just then, Samir's car pulled up behind him, and he quickly emerged, "Ibrahim, where's Sister-in-law?"
Ibrahim's gaze remained fixed on the spot where the cab had vanished. "She left with Elara,"
"Means?" Samir pressed, confusion and concern flickering in his eyes.
"Means she's gone, Samir. Gone back to her life, away from me."
"What the heck happened? I just got ten minutes late because of traffic!"
"It doesn't matter anymore. She's made her choice, and I... I don't know how to stop her." Ibrahim pulled out his phone and showed Samir the threatening message he received from Farah.
The text read: Hey there. You know I adore a good plot twist, but you might want to sit down for this one. Just a friendly reminder that if you don't let Ava live with Elara, you might want to brace yourself for some not-so-great news. Remember those two lovely people, Tanin and Lalana? Drowning them in acid was supposed to be your ultimate power move. But I'll make sure that charade comes to light. Imagine Ava discovering the truth—that you threatened Tanin and Lalana, playing the role of the big bad wolf while they were just puppets in your game. You know how fragile she is, and once she learns everything, you'll lose her forever. It will break her—and you—beyond repair. She'll never trust you again, and believe me, you can't manipulate your way out of this one.
Tick-Tock. Time is running out. We are waiting outside.. You better make your choice fast or lose her forever. And just to sweeten the deal, I can help you find Jessica's location. We both know my uncle has some intel on her disappearance.
After reading the message, Samir turned to Ibrahim, "What do we do now?"
"Contact Farah. Find out what she knows about Jessica. If she's aware of anything, why hasn't she told Elara? He's handling Jessica's case." Ibrahim responded.
Samir's brow furrowed. "But the real question is—how does Farah know we're looking for Jessica too?"
Ibrahim's expression darkened. That was the most troubling part. Farah knew too much. Too many people were playing this game.