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Rida's pov ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

I stood on the balcony, the cool night breeze brushing against my skin as I stared up at the moon. It was so peaceful, so serene—almost like it was mocking the chaos inside my heart. A small, sad smile tugged at my lips as memories flooded back. I remembered standing in this exact spot not so long ago, staring down at the street below where Zayd stood, dressed as my groom. The music, the lights, the joy on his face when our eyes met. It was perfect—everything I had ever dreamed of. For a moment, I was the happiest woman alive. But then, in the blink of an eye, everything shattered.

I clenched the note Zayd had given me, the paper crumpling under my fist as his words rang in my mind:

"Hell no, I'm not the father of her child. She's forcing me to do things I don't want to."

My eyes traced those lines again, over and over, but no matter how many times I read it, I couldn't tell if they were the truth or just another lie.

Was Nida really lying? My heart wanted to believe Zayd, but my mind couldn't ignore the betrayal I felt. Everything was so tangled, so confusing. But one thing was clear—I needed answers.

I sighed, leaning against the balcony railing as an idea slowly formed in my mind. "I need to find out the truth," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the gentle rustle of the trees below. I pulled out my phone, the screen lighting up my face in the darkness as I scrolled through my contacts until I found Nida's name. My thumb hovered over the call button for a moment before I pressed it, bringing the phone to my ear.

The line rang, and I waited, my heart pounding. After a few rings, she picked up. "Hello, Rida?"

I took a deep breath, trying to sound casual. "Hey Nida, how are you?"

Her voice softened. "I'm fine, Ridu. What about you?"

"I'm fine too," I replied, forcing a lightness into my tone. "I called to ask... did you go for any appointments yet?"

There was a pause, and then Nida replied, "No... why?"

I felt a small smirk forming as I leaned back against the wall. "How can you be so careless, Nida? You should get yourself checked to know about the baby's health. Be ready tomorrow—we'll go for your appointment, okay?"

There was a smile in her voice when she spoke again. "Thanks, Ridu. You're the best aunt to my baby. I love you!"

"Love you too, bye." I hung up the call, my fingers trembling slightly as I placed my phone back in my pocket. I took a deep breath, staring at the moon again. The night felt colder, heavier, but I knew what I had to do.

"Tomorrow, I'll get her DNA test secretly," I whispered to myself, the determination building inside me. "Then all the truth will come out."

With that thought in mind, I sent a quick text to Ahad, asking him to meet me at the hospital. I needed to get his DNA test as well.