Days had passed since Layla awakened from the dream she had lived for the past years. The life she had with Kamil, her second husband, was filled with pain and torment. But now, with her life returned, she had to face reality once again.
Layla was not in a hurry to find a job, but she knew that money would not last long. Kamil had kept everything, leaving her only with painful memories and the children she had borne from him. As time passed, the money began to run out, and she had to find a source of income, even though it was not going to be easy.
A few days ago, she decided to apply for a job at one of the major companies. The job didn't matter much to her as much as the need for money and the feeling that she could stand on her own feet again. As she prepared her papers, she remembered how she spent her time in the captivity she had endured during those years, and how she used drawing as a way to relieve the pressures of life.
"I can't be weak now. I have to keep going for them," she said to herself as she closed her bag. Little did she know that fate was preparing an unexpected surprise for her.
The next day, she went to the interview. Although she wasn't entirely sure what she was doing, something inside her pushed her to move forward. As she entered the company, everything seemed modern, and the employees were busy with their work. But she felt something strange in her heart, as if this place was somehow familiar.
When she entered the interview room, the person waiting for her was… her eldest son.
"You... here?" he said, looking at her in shock. She hadn't expected to meet him in this place, but fate had brought them together through a job interview, without her knowing that she had applied to the same company where he worked.
She tried to smile, but her heart was racing. She didn't know what to say; everything was unexpected.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, but his tone was filled with a mix of anger and confusion.
Layla answered coolly, "I applied for the job, nothing more." She wanted to explain everything to him, but at the same time, she knew it wasn't the right time to reveal what had happened. She feared that he might find out the truth, as she knew that talking about her past would only make things worse.
Despite the anger that controlled him due to what he thought was her betrayal, he couldn't bring himself to refuse helping her. He still loved her deep down, but he was hurt. He remembered the days when she was with them, but he thought she had chosen to leave them, abandoning him, his siblings, and their father.
"You might need this chance, and I'll give it to you," he finally said. But it was clear that his feelings weren't steady. Even as he offered her the job, he would make things difficult for her. It was almost as if he wanted her to face challenges, perhaps as a form of revenge, or to feel that he now had control over her life.
In his heart, he missed her dearly. She was his mother, whom he had loved deeply, but at the same time, he couldn't forgive her for what she had done.
"Thank you," Layla said softly, trying to remain calm. She didn't know how to deal with this situation, but she knew things would be harder if she didn't keep herself together.
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To be continued...