The Untainted
Chapter 53 — Lines Drawn
The night had grown unusually quiet in the Abdullah residence, but inside the master bedroom, the air was anything but calm.
It was the second night after confirming the Mustopha's had him tricked. Mr Collins came that day to ask but he didn't disclose the issue, he only reassured him "I will tell you soon please, just not now. Give me sometime. You know we don't hide things from eachother. I will tell you about it later." And mr Collins accepted. He didn't want to push his bosom friend too much, he knows him well enough. Since he had said to give him time, he will wait for him to open up to him. So he left after playing and talking about business for some time.
Mr. Abbas Abdullah stood by the window, his phone gripped tightly in his hand. The city lights flickered beyond the glass, but his mind was far from the view. His jaw clenched as he scrolled to a familiar number—one he had trusted for years.
One he now questioned.
Without hesitation, he dialed.
The line rang once. Twice. Then connected.
"Abbas—"
"Why did you lie to me?"
His voice cut through the greeting like a blade—sharp, controlled, but laced with unmistakable anger.
There was a pause on the other end.
"Abbas, please… it wasn't like that."
"Then tell me what it was like," Mr. Abbas shot back, his tone rising slightly. "Because from where I stand, it looks exactly like betrayal."
A strained sigh came through the speaker.
"I told you before… I stopped the investigation—"
"No," Abbas interrupted firmly. "You told me she was unlikely to be the girl. That was your conclusion."
Another silence. Heavier this time.
Then Mr. Mustopha spoke again, his voice lower, almost pleading.
"I did stop… at first. I truly did. But then my wife—she couldn't ignore it. The resemblance, Abbas… it was too striking. After we saw her physically, it became… disturbing not to know."
Abbas said nothing, but his grip tightened around the phone.
"So we checked again," Mustopha continued. "Quietly. Carefully. And… we realized she is the girl."
The words landed, but they didn't surprise Abbas anymore. What burned was what followed.
"And you did not think it fit to inform me?" Abbas asked slowly, his voice now dangerously calm. "Or are you trying to have the girl for your son?"
Silence.
Complete, telling silence.
Abbas let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry," Mustopha finally said. "I didn't want to see Qazeem miserable because of her. So I… I hid it. Call it a father's way of caring—"
"No," Abbas snapped, his patience finally breaking. "That is selfishness. And wickedness."
His voice echoed faintly against the walls.
"How could you do this when I was the one who told you about her in the first place?"
"That's not entirely true," Mustopha replied, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his tone. "We had noticed her before you did. You were just… faster to act."
Abbas scoffed.
"You are unbelievable."
He began pacing now, each step measured but fueled with anger.
"Well, let me make this very clear to you," he continued. "I will not allow this. My son and that girl were betrothed from birth. Before they even knew what the world was."
His voice softened slightly—but only with conviction, not weakness.
"And fate has brought them together again. Even before they themselves realized it."
On the other end, Mustopha exhaled slowly.
"It's not certain, Abbas. Not until she chooses who she wants to be with."
"They are already together," Abbas replied immediately. "And I will protect my son from being miserable too. He loves her."
There was a pause.
Then Mustopha said quietly, "We should let the girl choose—"
"Stay out of this."
The words came cold. Final.
"You are shameless."
And before another word could be said, Abbas ended the call.
The room fell silent again, but the tension lingered like a storm that refused to pass.
Mrs. Abdullah, who had been seated quietly the entire time, finally looked up at her husband.
"So… it's confirmed?"
Abbas nodded slowly, exhaling as he ran a hand over his face.
"She is Rihannat."
A mixture of emotions crossed her face—relief, disbelief, and something deeper… something maternal. This is fate.
"Our daughter inlaw," she whispered lovingly.
Abbas turned toward her, his expression softening for the first time that night.
"Yes."
But then his gaze hardened again, resolve settling in.
"And no one is taking her away from this family."
Elsewhere, in another part of the city, Mr. Mustopha sat in his dimly lit study, his phone still in his hand.
The call had ended, but its weight remained.
He leaned back slowly, staring at the ceiling.
"He won't back down…" he murmured.
From the doorway, his wife stepped in, her expression unreadable.
"And neither will you," she replied quietly.
Mustopha closed his eyes briefly.
"No," he admitted. "I won't."
A dangerous game had begun.
And at the center of it—
Was a girl who had no idea just how many lives were about to collide over her.
*******^^^^^^^^^
How many people are feeling the vibes here?! Oh my God, two wealthy family about to go head on over a girl who has nothing but her character, modesty and intellect. Her beauty is just +1.
Or do you believe they will still want her as a daughter inlaw if her life is messy and complicated?
No! Never!
It all comes to her way of life! The way she protect herself and how she portray herself to people. That's the fact. She guided her chastity.
If she is promiscuous like others, using her beauty, if she had used her assets instead of Intelligence?! We all can imagine the outcome, needing me not to say more.
*** ***
To all ladies out there who has beauty like Rihannat, even if you don't have Intelligent like her, pls protect your beauty like it's your future, nobody knows tommorrow.
Some things are fated but your bad ways of life might take it away, it's not every misfortune that is witch or wizard doing, some are caused by your lack of discipline and unfaithfulness to yourself. Be aware that every pain you go through in following Allah's command shall bear a wonderous and beautiful fruits, don't spoil your tommorrow because of a short time enjoyment. Be careful.
@OlukoyaZainab