Hakim rushed after Mehr, grabbing a file from the table before following her into the elevator.
He called out, "Mehr, wait—"
"Don't show me your face," she snapped, not even turning to look at him.
Hakim held out the file in front of her. "Then don't look at me. Just look at this."
His face was tense with worry. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
Mehr hesitated, eyes narrowing as she took the file from his hand. She flipped through the pages in silence, her heart thudding as the truth unfolded line by line.
After a long moment, she looked up at Hakim, eyes burning.
"What is this?"
"The company's falling apart," Hakim said, voice low. "You either take it over—or hand it to someone else."
Mehr froze. "What do you mean? Hand over the rights to someone else?"
"Exactly what I said," Hakim replied. "If you can't run it, sell it."
Mehr's face flushed red with anger. "Hakim! You may be my father's... dear, but don't you ever say that again!"
They were still inside the elevator when the doors opened.
"Mehr Sultan, what are you trying to say?" Hakim asked, stunned.
Mehr placed a finger to her chest. "Do you even know what my father was hiding? Do you know his secrets?"
She was about to continue when Hakim quickly pressed the elevator button, shutting the doors again.
"Mehr Sultan, have you lost your mind? You can't say things like this in front of everyone—it's private!"
Mehr turned away, her expression unreadable. Straightening her posture, she said coldly, "I can't trust you until you tell me everything."
With that, she walked out of the elevator.
She turned back just once. "I'll handle the company myself."
And then she was gone.
Hakim and Nawaf stood there silently, watching her leave.
Nawaf turned to Hakim. "What do we do now?"
Hakim sighed, loosening the tie around his neck. "Tell her the truth? That would put her life in danger."
His voice dropped. "Now that she's involved with the company, her enemies will start moving too."
---
Yusuf was in the kitchen, preparing food. When Mehr came home, she looked worn out. Areeba rushed to take her purse.
"It's been so long. You okay?" she asked softly.
"I'm just... hungry," Mehr replied.
Yusuf smiled gently. "The food's ready. Go freshen up."
Mehr nodded and walked to her room. She looked at herself in the mirror—this reflection, this woman staring back... she felt like a stranger now.
It had been a hard day, but Mehr wouldn't let herself break. She couldn't give up her father's legacy—not to anyone.
She joined Yusuf and Areeba at the dining table. Yusuf had already served her food. She ate silently, driven by hunger and heaviness in her chest.
---
The next morning at 9:00 AM sharp, Hakim was ready. He stood beside Nawaf's bed.
"Get up. We have to go to Mehr's house."
Nawaf groaned under the covers. "It's my day off! Let me sleep!"
He peeked out from the blanket. "You've lost your mind. Why are we going there?"
Hakim shot him a sharp glare. "Watch your tone."
That look alone was enough to silence Nawaf. He sighed dramatically. "Forgive me, brother. I'm poor. I just want to sleep."
Hakim sat down beside him. "My moon, my soul... enough with the drama. Let's go."
Nawaf knew nothing could stop Hakim once he decided something. He got up reluctantly and pointed a finger at him. "You'll regret this! I curse you to live as a lonely widow!"
Hakim burst into laughter, while Nawaf grumbled his way to get dressed.
Twenty minutes later, they were at Mehr's door. All along the way, Nawaf kept asking, "Why are we going? Tell me something at least!"
Hakim just grinned, flashing his teeth.
At that moment, Yusuf was having breakfast with Hanifa and the workers when the guard came in.
"Madam, two men are here to see you."
Mehr stood, confused.
"Have you seen them before?"
"Yes," the guard said. "They're lawyers."
Mehr's eyes darkened. She knew immediately.
"Let them in."
Hakim and Nawaf entered. The guard led them to the dining room where the others were still seated.
"Please sit," the guard offered.
Mehr didn't even look at them. "No. They're not guests."
Nawaf quickly nudged Hakim, and they sat down in silence.
Hakim tried to act casual. "We're your in-laws now. You understand, right?"
Mehr's face paled. Everything around her seemed to spin. She stared at the door, breath catching.
Then, it opened.
Areeba stood there, her face ghostly white.
Mehr stared at her. "What is it?"
Areeba hesitated. "I... I just came to ask about tea."
Hakim chimed in, "Nawaf and I will have tea."
Mehr quickly left the room. Her mind raced. Hakim sat there calmly, watching her fall apart.
"What now, Mehr Sultan?" he said to himself. "The enemy is in your house."
Mehr sat down in another room, burying her head in her hands.
Hakim's voice echoed in her ears. "You feel bad for yourself, but never for me. You're running from your own guilt, Mehr Sultan."
She lifted her head slowly. "If I could recognize the enemy, I'd never let them in."
Hakim leaned forward, his voice soft. "You want to know your father's secrets? Then be prepared. Can you face his enemies? Can you fight them?"
Mehr wiped her tears and stood tall. "I will fight them all. Just don't hide the truth from me anymore."
Hakim looked at Nawaf and smiled faintly.
Mehr's voice rose again. "You call them ruthless? Isn't it ruthless enough that they live under my roof and betray me?"
Nawaf went quiet.
"I feel sorry for you, Mehr Sultan," he muttered.
"There's no need for pity," she snapped. "Just be grateful I'm still willing to let you help."
Inside, Nawaf cursed Hakim silently. His love for drama never ends.
Hakim stood. "First, let your enemies know who you are. Show them you're strong. That your name holds power. You need to change the way they see you."
Mehr paused. "What's wrong with my name?"
Hakim smirked. "I don't like it."
"It's my parents' gift."
"Then name yourself anew," Hakim challenged. "What about Sultana?"
Mehr hesitated. "Mehr Sultana?"
"Yes. Your father was a Sultan. Your mother too. From today, you're Sultana."
He clapped his hands. "Congratulations, Nawaf. The girl's name is Sultana now!"
Nawaf rolled his eyes. "He's so dramatic."
Hakim got up. "Let's go. We'll see you at the company tomorrow, Sultana. Take care."
As they left, Nawaf paused at the door. He turned to Mehr.
"Now you know, the enemy is in your house. Be careful."