The air in Noor's estate was heavy, an almost tangible stillness hanging in the corridors after the chaos of the night. The children were finally safe, sleeping soundly under warm blankets, their cries of fear replaced by the soft rhythm of their breathing. Maya had ensured each child was tended to, personally overseeing their care despite the ache in her injured shoulder. Yet, even after confirming their safety, her heart was far from at ease.
The weight of her worry pulled her feet to Noor's room.
The door was slightly ajar, and Maya hesitated for a moment before stepping in. The dim glow of a single lamp illuminated the space, casting long, flickering shadows on the walls. The scent of antiseptic hung in the air, mingling with the faint iron tang of blood. The sight that greeted her was a familiar one, yet no less jarring for it.
Heath stood near the bed, his medical bag open on the side table. His frustration radiated from him in sharp bursts as he worked with steady hands to stitch the fresh wound on Noor's back.
"How many times must I tell you to STOP putting yourself in these situations?" Heath's voice was sharp, though the tremor of concern softened the edges. His hands, skilled and practiced, moved quickly as he worked to close the deep gash. "Seventeen stitches this time, Noor. Seventeen... And you still refuse to take a sedative. Do you enjoy testing the limits of your mortality?"
Noor sat on the edge of the bed, her back straight despite the obvious pain. Her white silk dress, stained with blood, lay discarded on the floor, leaving her upper body bare. The pale canvas of her skin was marred by countless scars, each a silent testament to battles fought and won.
Her voice, calm and steady, cut through the room. "Hesitation or overthinking can be fatal, Heath. I had no choice tonight. The information about the auction came to me too late to plan otherwise."
Heath's jaw tightened as he glanced at her, his frustration palpable. "And because of that, you walked into an ambush with no security. Do you think you're invincible? You could have been killed tonight, Noor. And for what? So you can add another scar to your collection?"
Noor's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Death is a gift if it's granted by God. But perhaps life still has more for me to endure. It's fine, Heath. I'm fine."
Standing silently near the door, Maya's breath caught in her throat. She had seen Noor's strength countless times, but the sight of her now—exposed and vulnerable yet impossibly resolute—was something else entirely.
Her gaze drifted to Noor's back, and the sight left her trembling. Dozens of scars crisscrossed the flawless expanse of skin, each one a story of pain and survival. The fresh wound Heath was stitching seemed almost insignificant in comparison, but Maya knew the toll it took. The strength Noor displayed wasn't just physical—it was carved into her very soul.
"Noor," Heath's voice softened slightly, though the frustration lingered. "You may act like this doesn't faze you, but you're not invincible. You're mortal, whether you like it or not. One day, these wounds will catch up to you."
Noor's gaze remained distant, her expression unreadable. "Mortality doesn't concern me, Heath. What matters is that those lives were worth the risk."
Maya's hands shook slightly as she listened, her eyes never leaving Noor's form. The harsh contrast between the elegance of Noor's beauty and the brutality of her scars was striking. It was as if Noor herself was a paradox—both fragile and indestructible.
Heath sighed heavily, shaking his head as he finished the last stitch and reached for the bandages. "You can rationalize it however you like, Noor, but promise me you'll be more careful next time. I don't want to be stitching you up again in a few days."
Noor's lips twitched in a faint smile. "I promise, Heath."
Maya doubted the sincerity of the promise, but Heath seemed placated for the moment. He packed up his bag, giving Noor one last stern look before turning to leave. "Rest tonight. And don't tear those stitches, or you'll have me to answer to."
As Heath left, the room fell into silence, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric as Noor reached for a robe to drape over her shoulders. Maya hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, her voice trembling slightly.
"Madam Noor?"
Noor turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting Maya's. There was a calm assurance in her eyes, a quiet strength that seemed unshakable. "Yes, Maya.. Just another night in the life I've chosen."
Maya swallowed hard, her throat tight. The image of Noor's scarred back, covered now by the soft fabric of the robe, was seared into her mind. It wasn't just the physical scars that haunted her—it was what they represented. Each one was a reminder of Noor's sacrifices, her relentless determination to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.
"You don't have to bear it all alone," Maya whispered, her voice barely audible.
Noor's expression softened slightly, a rare flicker of vulnerability passing across her features. "I don't. I have all of you with me. That's enough."
Maya nodded, though the weight of Noor's words settled heavily on her chest. She wanted to say more, to offer some kind of comfort or reassurance, but the words wouldn't come.
As Noor stood, her movements graceful despite the injuries, Maya felt a surge of awe and gratitude. Noor's strength was both inspiring and heartbreaking, a constant reminder of the price she paid for the life she had chosen.
"Get some rest, Maya," Noor said gently, her tone kind but firm. "Tomorrow will be another long day."
And yet, beneath that strength, Maya saw the burden Noor carried, the pain she endured in silence. It was a pain that no one else could fully understand, but Maya vowed to stand by her, no matter what.
---
As Maya turned to leave, Noor's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Maya," Noor called softly, her tone carrying a rare hint of amusement.
"Yes, ?" Maya replied, glancing back, startled by the slight shift in Noor's demeanor.
"You've been standing there trembling like a leaf all night. If you keep shaking like that, people might think you're the one who fought off men instead of me," Noor said, her lips curving into the faintest of smirks.
Maya blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then, despite herself, a small, nervous laugh escaped her. "I—I wasn't trembling! I was just… processing everything."
Noor raised an elegant eyebrow. "Processing? Is that what you call staring at my back as if you've seen a ghost?"
"I wasn't staring!" Maya shot back defensively, though her cheeks flushed. "I was just… worried. Those scars, …" Her voice softened. "You shouldn't have to—"
Noor interrupted her with a wave of her hand. "Scars are like trophies, Maya. They're proof that I've lived, that I've fought for something worthwhile. Don't let them scare you."
Maya hesitated before responding. "Trophies? Most people collect shiny gold cups or plaques, not… gashes and stitches."
Noor chuckled—a soft, melodic sound that momentarily lightened the room's heavy atmosphere. "I suppose I've always been unconventional." She tilted her head, her smirk widening. "Though, if you want, I can start displaying my stitches in glass cases. Would that make you feel better?"
Maya groaned, unable to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "That's not what I meant, and you know it."
Noor stood, tying the robe securely around her waist before walking toward the small table near the window. She poured herself a glass of water and glanced at Maya, her tone shifting to something more teasing. "You should sit down before you faint from all that 'processing.'"
"I'm not going to faint!" Maya retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.
Noor leaned against the table, sipping her water. "Good. I'd hate for Heath to come back and find two patients in this room. He's grumpy enough as it is."
Maya couldn't help but laugh softly at that. "You think he's grumpy because of you? He's grumpy because you never listen to his advice. You'd try the patience of a saint."
Noor's eyes twinkled with mischief. "And yet, here he is, still patching me up after all these years. I think he secretly enjoys the challenge."
"Or he's just resigned to the fact that you'll never change," Maya countered, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
Noor laughed again, the sound warmer this time. "Fair point." She placed the glass down and gestured for Maya to sit on the armchair by the fireplace. "Come, sit. I think we both deserve a moment to breathe after tonight."
Reluctantly, Maya sat, though she kept her gaze on Noor. "You should be resting, Noor. You had a knife in your back less than two hours ago."
"And yet, here I am, alive and well," Noor replied, her tone light but firm. She moved to sit across from Maya, her posture as regal as ever despite the bandages peeking out from beneath her robe.
For a moment, they sat in silence, the crackling of the fireplace filling the room. Then Noor leaned back slightly, her expression softening. "Tell me, Maya, what's troubling you?"
Maya hesitated, unsure how to put her thoughts into words. Finally, she said, "I just… I don't understand how you do it. How you carry all of this—everything—without ever showing weakness."
Noor's gaze grew thoughtful. "It's not about never feeling weak, Maya. It's about choosing to stand despite it. The world doesn't wait for us to catch our breath. If I falter, who will protect those children? Who will fight for them?"
Maya nodded slowly, the weight of Noor's words sinking in. But then, unable to resist the opportunity to lighten the mood, she added, "Still, you could at least let Heath sedate you once in a while. You're starting to make the rest of us look bad."
Noor laughed again, the sound like a balm against the tension lingering in the room. "I'll take that under advisement, Maya."
Maya smiled, feeling a little more at ease. She watched as Noor's expression softened further, the faint traces of a smile lingering on her lips. For all her strength and resilience, there was a gentleness to Noor that only those closest to her ever saw.
"Get some rest," Noor said after a while, her tone kind but firm. "Tomorrow, we'll have new challenges to face. But tonight… let's allow ourselves this moment of peace."
Maya sighed deeply, the weight of the evening's events pressing heavily on her. "I'll notify the advertisement company to postpone your appointment for tomorrow evening at 6 PM. You're in no condition to attend."
Noor's eyes, though shadowed with pain, were resolute. "I told you to follow my instructions. No need to make any changes. I will see them at the appointed time." She stood up, covering her body with a robe, though the strain of her injuries was evident in the way she moved.
"Prepare an ice bath with ginseng for me," Noor added. Her voice was firm, but the pain she was trying to conceal was clear in her eyes.
Maya watched in awe as Noor, despite being only 27, exhibited a strength that seemed almost monstrous. The contrast between Noor's youthful beauty and the raw power she displayed was striking. As the owner of multi-trillionaire companies and a savior of countless orphans, Noor was an embodiment of both grace and might.
"Yes, ma'am," Maya replied, her voice barely a whisper as Noor's intense gaze made her feel small. The authority Noor commanded was palpable, and Maya found herself almost spooked by her commanding presence.
Noor, noticing Maya's discomfort, softened slightly. "Since you're injured, you can relax until you recover. I'll handle the rest. Call Zeyla and inform her of the arrangements. Ensure that no one knows about my injury."
Maya nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she prepared the bath. Noor's request for Maya's assistance in washing her hair was unusual, given the long-standing tradition of covering her body with elegant, full-coverage dresses. Maya had never seen Noor's skin before, and as Noor entered the ice bath, her body was revealed for the first time.
Maya was momentarily lost in the sight of Noor's grace, the scars and strength coexisting with her natural beauty. The ice-cold water, mixed with ginseng, made Noor wince, but she remained silent, enduring the discomfort with remarkable composure.
Maya quickly snapped out of her daze and moved to Noor's side, gently washing her hair. The task was intimate, and Maya felt a deep sense of responsibility and respect. "No need to take leave. I'm fine, and as your secretary, I will take care of everything," Maya said, her voice steady despite the evening's turmoil.
Noor's face softened into a rare smile, a gesture of genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Maya."
The two women worked together in the quiet of the room, the ice bath offering Noor a moment of relief from the pain. Maya's presence, though tinged with concern, was a comfort, and Noor's gratitude was evident in her appreciative gaze. The bond between them deepened as they shared this moment of vulnerability and strength.
As Maya continued to care for Noor, the resolve of both women was clear. Noor's unyielding spirit and Maya's unwavering support were a testament to their shared dedication and the strength they drew from each other.
Maya leaned against the doorway of Noor's room, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her blouse. The evening's chaos had finally settled, but her nerves had not. The sight of Noor's bloodied back, stitched and bandaged, haunted her.
After summoning every ounce of courage, she finally spoke. "Are you sure you're okay? You should rest. "
Noor, seated on the edge of her bed, adjusted the belt of her silk robe, the elegance of her movements belying the pain she surely felt. Her hair, damp from the earlier bath, cascaded over her shoulder like liquid night. "And let the world think I'm faltering? No, Maya. They'll be here at six as planned."
"But you're injured," Maya insisted, stepping closer. "Even you have limits."
Noor's gaze flicked toward her, calm yet piercing. "Limits are a luxury I cannot afford."
Maya sighed, crossing her arms. "Madam,You're impossible, you know that?"
Noor's lips curved into a faint smile, but she said nothing, rising from the bed with a grace that seemed almost supernatural. She moved to the window, her silhouette framed by the moonlight spilling into the room. For a moment, the room was silent except for the faint rustle of the night breeze against the curtains.
"You should rest, Maya," Noor said finally, her voice softer. "You're injured too."
Maya huffed, trying to mask her lingering concern with a hint of sarcasm. "Says the woman who refuses to rest herself. You're such a hypocrite."
Noor turned slightly, one brow arched in amusement. "Hypocrisy is the privilege of those in charge, isn't it?"
The unexpected humor caught Maya off guard, and she chuckled despite herself. "Fine, but Madam don't expect me to go easy on you tomorrow. If you collapse in front of those advertisers, I'm not covering for you."
Noor's laughter was soft but genuine, a rare sound that momentarily lightened the weight in the room. "Noted. I'll be sure to stay upright, if only to spare you the embarrassment."
Maya shook her head, though a small smile lingered on her lips. "I'll hold you to that."
With the tension eased slightly, Maya moved toward the door. She paused before stepping out, glancing back at Noor. "Goodnight,Madam. Try not to add any more scars to your collection tonight, okay?"
Noor's smile lingered as she turned back to the window, her gaze fixed on the moonlit horizon. "Goodnight, Maya."
As Maya left, the door clicking softly shut behind her, Noor's smile faded. She rested a hand on the window frame, her other hand brushing lightly over the bandages beneath her robe. The pain was a constant reminder of the night's events, but it was nothing compared to the ache buried deep in her chest.
The scars on her back were nothing new, but the weight of them never seemed to lessen. Still, she bore them with quiet resolve, knowing they were the price of the life she had chosen.
For a moment, she allowed herself to close her eyes, the cool night air brushing against her face. She whispered a quiet prayer under her breath, seeking strength for the battles yet to come.
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