The car pulled up in front of the marriage office. The building was small, quiet, and almost ordinary, yet to Sara it felt like the end of her freedom.
Kairo turned to her, his voice soft but firm. "Come, Sara."
She shook her head, her lips pressed tight. "No."
Kairo's eyes softened, almost pleading. "Baby… please come. Why are you so stubborn?"
Her glare cut through him like ice. "You think this is some joke? Some kind of drama?"
His jaw tightened, but his voice stayed low. "No. Absolutely not. I'm serious about this. I want to be with you forever, like I dreamt years ago. I want to give Zayn and you a real family. A safe life. Please… think about Zayn. He needs both of us."
Sara's chest tightened. His words sank deep into her heart, because for a moment, they almost sounded true.
She spat back coldly, "Don't act like you suddenly care."
"I do care," he countered quickly, his tone sharper now. "I don't want Zayn to go through what we went through when we were kids. I don't want him to grow up broken… in a dysfunctional family. I know you hate me, Sara. But I also know you love Zayn more than anything. At least, for his sake…"
Sara looked down at her son in her arms. Zayn, innocent and wide-eyed, blinked up at her, unaware of the storm between his parents. Her throat tightened. She looked back at Kairo, her voice trembling.
"No."
Kairo exhaled, his patience fraying. "Baby, don't make me force you. If you don't want me to take Zayn legally, then cooperate."
Her heart dropped like a stone. "Don't you dare take my child away," she growled.
"Then marry me." His tone left no room for escape.
Her lips trembled, confusion and fear battling inside her. For a long moment, she couldn't breathe. But she knew better. She knew what he was capable of, what he could do. Even if she tried to run, he would find her. He would chase her, no matter where she went.
Then, brokenly, the word slipped out. "Okay."
Kairo's smile bloomed, his eyes glowing with victory. One of his men gently lifted Zayn from her arms, while Kairo held her trembling hands and guided her toward the small marriage setup inside the office.
There were only a handful of people present: his men, the priest, and strangers who barely glanced their way. The priest stood smiling as if this were just another union, unaware of the battle raging in Sara's chest.
Kairo led her to the altar. Zayn looked around curiously in the man's arms, clapping his tiny hands at the sight of flowers, unaware of the weight of this moment.
The vows began.
"Do you take Sara as your wife?" the priest asked Kairo.
Kairo's answer was instant. "I do," he said with a smile that reached his eyes.
Then the priest turned to Sara. "Do you take Kairo as your husband?"
Silence.
Sara's throat closed. Her eyes blurred with tears. She wanted to scream "no," to run, to tear everything apart, but then her gaze fell on Zayn. Her baby. Watching them. Waiting.
Her lips trembled, her heart cracked, and the words escaped as barely a whisper. "I do."
The priest smiled. "I declare you both husband and wife from this moment. God bless you. Now the groom may kiss the bride."
Sara stiffened, her eyes flashing at Kairo. "Don't."
He only smiled softly. "It's ritual, wifey," he whispered.
He leaned in and pressed the gentlest peck to her lips, restrained, yet sealing the vow. Applause broke around them. Even little Zayn clapped, copying the crowd, his innocent giggles breaking Sara's heart into pieces.
Kairo was glowing with joy, his chest rising and falling with exhilaration. For years, he had dreamt of this moment; now she was officially his.
They signed the marriage certificate, binding the marriage legally. With every stroke of the pen, Sara felt the walls closing in.
As soon as it was done, Sara snatched Zayn back from the man's arms and rushed out, her body trembling. She climbed into the car, hugging Zayn close, her heart a storm of rage and helplessness.
Kairo followed, sliding into the seat beside her, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Why did you run away, wifey?" he teased.
"Don't call me that," she snapped, her glare sharp as a blade.
He chuckled. "Why not, Darling? you are my wife now, officially."
Her voice dripped venom. "I did this only for Zayn. Nothing else. Stay in your limits."
He smiled knowingly. "Of course, darling." He leaned over and kissed her cheek, pulling her closer with Zayn in between them.
She hit the seat of the car out of anger and frustration.
Kairo's smile faltered. He reached to hide Zayn's face in his chest. "Ohh, easy, Soda glass. My son will get scared." He said dramatically.
But when he looked at her red, teary eyes, his cocky mask slipped. Her trembling hands and self-harm scratched deeper into him than any insult could.
"Don't hurt yourself, Sara," he murmured, his voice breaking. "If you're angry, then hit me. But don't do this to yourself."
He caught her hands, holding them tightly even when she tried to yank them away. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her against his chest, his lips pressing to her hair.
"You're mine now," he whispered. "And I'll spend the rest of my life proving it."
AT HOME
Night had finally fallen when the car stopped in front of a two-story building. Sara looked around. It wasn't the same house Kairo had brought her to the first time, the one where they had shared beautiful memories.
As the car entered through the gate, Kairo turned to her with a soft smile."Come, wifey…" he said playfully.
Sara looked at him but didn't respond.
He smiled again. "This is our house. I built it for my family."
She avoided his gaze, her face unreadable.
Kairo stepped out of the car, gently lifting Zayn into his arms. Sara followed quietly. He led them into the house, the lights warm and soft. Zayn looked around with wide eyes, too surprised to speak, and too sleepy to react.
Kairo chuckled and kissed his little forehead. "You like the house, darling?"
Zayn only blinked and rested his head on Kairo's shoulder.
Kairo carried him to a neatly arranged bedroom, the space cozy and filled with small touches, a toy box, soft sheets, and a little night lamp glowing beside the bed.
"Let's have dinner and rest," Kairo said gently.
Sara nodded faintly. "I need to feed Zayn first. he needs to sleep."
Kairo handed Zayn to her with a soft smile. "Okay, feed him first, then come to the dining."
Sara said nothing, her eyes downcast, and quietly walked toward the bed with her son in her arms.
After dinner, Zayn was tucked safely into bed. Sara had changed into something comfortable after washing up. Kairo had arranged everything she and Zayn could possibly need: clothes, food, and essentials; nothing was missing.
Sara lay on the bed, holding Zayn close in her arms. She didn't have the heart to put him in the crib beside the bed; she needed to feel him near. Her mind was lost in thoughts, everything that had happened today… Kairo finding her, the marriage, and his words about family.
Did he really mean all that?Or was this just another game?Was he doing all this just to get Zayn?
Questions kept swirling in her head until the sound of the door opening broke her thoughts.
Kairo stepped inside, dressed in a loose t-shirt and sweatpants. His hair was slightly damp from a recent shower, and he looked fresh, calm, almost too calm.
Sara sat up a little panicked, her arms still protectively around Zayn."What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice low but firm.