46 ??'What is it that you want now?'??

ZAYN

Leia flopped down into an unoccupied chair, hugging the bag to herself. I stood by the stage and the humour wasn't lost on me; we were both alone in a marriage hall.

Of course, I had noticed Leia in other exams too—though not all of them since our centres were different for some—but that was usually after we were done taking our exams and she sat in her seat, the table covering her the same way her backpack was right now.

I was honestly getting a little worried.

Was she afraid someone would see her scars? Had her prick of a husband given her new ones?

Anger stabbed me square in the chest and I thought I would topple over for a second. Thankfully, I gained my poise and focused on the matter at hand.

"So?" Leia announced, breaking the tension-filled silence. "You said you had something to say? Go ahead, I'm listening."

I cleared my throat. "Your husband just paid me a visit."

I watched her eyes widen into saucers. "What? Why would he do that? How does he even know you?"

I shrugged. "You tell me. He asked me why I texted you. That must mean he's known about me for quite some time. Though I wonder why he decided to come up to me now of all times."

"Zayn—it's—I," she gave a nervous little laugh. "I don't know, actually."

Really, though? I could tell from the flash in her eyes that she was hiding something from me—with too much effort, that too.

"Well," I continued, "He also warned me to stay away from you or else he'd beat you up." My fists clenched at the words and my tongue felt too heavy to work again.

Leia flinched. And just like that, my heart was in splinters. I took an involuntary step forward; to do what I wasn't sure. At that moment I just wanted to put my arms around her and hold her close to me. I wanted to inhale her scent and tuck her somewhere deep into my heart.

"Zayn," Leia whispered, doe-eyes wildly running over my face.

I knew she read the hunger in my eyes. I was starved for comfort. For someone to just once tell me I could be strong enough to face this cruel world. To tell me that I meant something to them.

This is about her, Zayn. Don't make this into another one of your pity sessions.

"What are you thinking about?" The voice was breathy. It seemed like she was unable to keep the question inside her.

I shook my head with a little huff. "Nothing, sweetness. Nothing at all."

Leia's shoulders hunched. I realised too late what I'd said.

"I'm married, Zayn."

As if I needed a reminder. "And you need to end it," I said it with a conviction I most definitely did feel. "He's toxic, Leia. The bas—guy—threatened to hurt you. Can you believe his nerve? He stood in front of me and warned me about hurting my Leia. I thought he was a changed man. Otherwise, I would've never let you stay with him."

"It wasn't your choice," she muttered. "I wanted to stay with him."

I was seriously losing my control. I tramped forward, stopping only a few inches from her. "And now? What is it that you want now?"