LOVE IN PARIS: Married To My Brother-in-law-Chapter 49: Feeling Of Fear

"I never planned to". She replied, leaning into his chest as she snuggled up against him. "I just wanted him to feel the same kind of anxiety I did in the past when I waited for him, and he never showed up. He needs a taste of his own medicine."

Zeke smiled, a look of admiration crossing his face. "Smart". He murmured, moving toward the kitchen. "Come on, I made breakfast."

They sat together at the table, enjoying the meal he had prepared. She leaned against him, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. Afterward, they snuggled on the couch, with her forcing him into watching her favorite show together.

Everything felt perfect, as if the past no longer had any hold on her. This was exactly what she wanted.

But then, suddenly, she winced again, clutching her stomach in pain. This time, the cramps were sharper and more intense.

"Yvette ?". Zeke called, alarmed as he immediately moved to help her. "Are you okay?" He asked as he held her , concern flashing in his eyes.

"It’s just a minor thing, perhaps the stress at work previously made it worse" She said dismissively, trying to wave it off.

"A minor thing and you’re in so much pain?". He replied, clearly unconvinced. "You’ve been through so much. Everything about you is major to me. I want you to go to the hospital."

"Really Zeke, it’s nothing. I promise" She insisted, her tone firm. Who on earth goes to the hospital because of a menstrual cramps.

He shook his head. "No, Yvette. You need to let me take care of you. Let’s just go and make sure everything is alright."

Her resolve softened as she looked into his eyes, filled with genuine worry for her well-being. "Fine". She sighed, knowing she wouldn’t win this battle. "But only if you promise to stop worrying so much."

"Deal". He said, a relieved smile breaking through his earlier tension. "Let’s get you checked out."

_____

Nadia sat in the sterile hospital room, her heart pounding in her chest as she scrolled through the endless barrage of notifications on her phone.

By now, every news outlet seemed to have picked up the story. Her reputation, once flawless, was now in tatters, torn apart by the revelations, speculation and the malicious comment flooding her pages.

The worst part was the fan backlash—angry, betrayed, and irrational. So violent that she felt like burying herself alive.

She had intended to leave the hospital the day before however they had somehow figured the hospital she was admitted at and they had surrounded the hospital, their shouts and protests slightly echoing through the windows, growing louder with every hour and she could only give up on leaving.

If she appeared before the public at this time, she was definitely wishing to be stoned to death.

She dared not step outside. The hospital security had warned her of the crowd growing larger by the minute, demanding answers, apologies, and even blood but all thanks to the able securities, who were all to hold them off and maintain the hospital’s peace.

Nadia felt like a prisoner, her once-glamorous life now reduced to the cold confines of a hospital bed with her not daring to see the light of the day. She could hardly breathe, the weight of the situation pressing down on her chest.

Desperate, she picked up her phone and dialed her father’s contact. He had always been the one to rescue her from trouble, to clean her mess and make things disappear with his influence and connections.

The phone rang once, twice and then went straight to voicemail. She tried again with her fingers trembling in fear but it was still the same, there was still no answer.

She stared at the screen, her vision blurring as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Please, Dad... just pick up". She whispered then look heavenward as if offering a silent prayer .

But the line remained silent with no answer and she couldn’t help the feeling of fear slowly creeping in on her , her father never missed her call , not even when he was in an important meeting.

At the very least, he would drop a message but today, there was none. What could have possibly went wrong, she couldn’t have implicated them and the company with her mess , right?.

Feeling abandoned and scared, she wiped at her tears and decided to call her sister who would definitely help her out with the mess she was stuck in.

The phone rang only once before her sister picked up, her voice sharp and filled with frustration.

"What do you want, Nadia?". Her sister snapped, not even bothering to hide her annoyance. "Haven’t you done enough harm to everyone?".

"Sis, please... I need help. I don’t know what to do". She said, her voice shaking. "They’ve ruined me. I can’t even leave the hospital, there are fans outside, they’re furious. I need someone to come and—"

Her sister cut her off. "Do you think we can help you at this point? The whole family is in trouble all because of you! Do you know what you’ve done? Do you have any idea how powerful the people you offended are? We can’t clean up your mess this time. Im afraid only you can do so."

"Are you giving me up sister?".

"Giving you up, then tell me . Before engaging in all those stupid things you did, did you ever spare a second thought for us".

"No, you never. Even I didn’t know my sister could be so despicable, we grew up together yet I wasn’t aware of the evil in your heart. Initially when that news surfaced, I swore you were being framed and even wanted to interfere but thanks to my husband’s advice , I finally saw the true colors of my sister, the sister everyone thought was innocent and virtuous".

She felt her heart sink, the words hitting her like a physical blow. Her sister had always adored her and never raised her voice at her, not even once but today, here she was lashing at her furiously and this was all because of Yvette.

"I didn’t mean to...". She whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"I don’t care what you meant". Her sister snapped. "You’ve dragged all of us into this, and now we’re all targets. We can’t help you, Nadia. You’re on your own."

The line went dead. Nadia stared at the phone, her chest heaving as she cried. Her own family had turned their backs on her. She was truly alone now.

Feeling utterly hopeless, she tried her one last option by dialing Manuel’s contact but shouldn’t she know already. He would willingly and happily turn his back on her as long as he could save his name .

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before it finally went to voicemail. He didn’t pick up. Of course, he didn’t and he wouldn’t. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

She buried her face in her hands, her body trembling with sobs.

How had her life come to this? Just days ago, everything had been perfect. Now, she was trapped, abandoned by everyone she loved, surrounded by a sea of hate and anger that threatened to drown her.

Meanwhile, Manuel sat in a quiet restaurant away from the hustling and bustling of the city.

The morning sun had long since given way to the afternoon light, but he remained seated, his eyes fixed on the candlelit breakfast he had hurriedly prepared.

The soft glow of the candles flickered as the hours ticked by, the once-warm food now cold and untouched. He had arrived early, anticipating Yvette’s arrival. He believed she would come. She always did, eventually and besides she even arranged to meet here.

This was the restaurant they had shared their youths hanging out together so that must mean she still have a bit of something for him , right?. And the thoughts of it alone made him alive with joy, at this moment if he could get back with her. He would definitely be redeemed for sure.

But soon, his happiness went dwindling all away as hours passed by in a blur yet she never showed up.

He glanced at his watch and realized it was already late into the afternoon. Still, there was no sign of her.

His assistant walked into the room, looking uncomfortable as he approached him. "Sir, it doesn’t seem like she’s going to come". He said quietly. "It’s already late. Should we leave?"

But Manuel shook his head, his expression calm, though a hint of frustration lingered in his eyes. "No. We’ll wait". He said, his voice steady, more like he was comforting himself than merely answering. "She’ll come. She always does."

The assistant hesitated, glancing at the table set with precision and care, the candles now slowly burning down to their stubs. He sighed softly, knowing there was no convincing him otherwise and deep down he knew his boss deserved all that was happening to him.

He could remember advising him at a point not to treat Yvette shabbily but he had said "everything is fair in war and love besides someone has to make the sacrifices" .

Yvette had make the sacrifices and now, he was suffering for it. As he should.

Manuel leaned back in his chair, his eyes distant but determined. He had never been patient like this with her in the past instead she was the one dealing with all patience, always waiting for him and believing he would always come but now the table had turned and now, he was willing to wait, no matter how long it took.

At this point, he didn’t care how long it took. He would wait for her again, even if it meant waiting until nightfall.

"She’ll come". He muttered to himself, his fingers tapping lightly against the table.

But deep down, for the first time, a small part of him wondered if maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t.