Love that kills.

Mahmoud went to the bank where he works at eight in the morning, looking extremely exhausted because he had not slept enough the day before. He had been thinking hard about his crisis - his midlife crisis - as he believed that he had the right to live his life the way he liked, even though his conversation with his friend Ibrahim had stirred up some things in his mind that he had not seen. However, he decided to go ahead with his decision, but one more thing remained for him, which was to find out Aaliyah's opinion, for whose sake he would endure everything he was about to face.

He knew he was going to take a very high risk that might cause a very big loss of his wife or children, and the life he used to live may be the happiness he didn't appreciate well.

So, he invited her to his office and decided to begin the adventure. Aaliyah came to him with her same charm and charming smile, and knocked on his office door with a knock that felt like it was knocking on the door of his wandering heart. He gave her permission to enter not only his office but also his heart, mind, and whole being. She played with her silky hair with her fingers and said gently:

- Good morning, Mr. Mahmoud.

- Hello, Aaliyah... Good morning.

- Do you need me for something?

- Tell me, Aaliyah, do you remember about my friend we talked about a few days ago?

She thought for awhile and replied to him with the same charming smile:

- Ahh... Your friend who lost his passion for life.

- Yes... I met him two days ago, and he told me that there was someone who could help him love life again.

- Who is that?

- Someone... He's known her for a while and he sees her as his life that he's missed for a long time.

- So, what does she think of him?

- He... He still doesn't know because he hasn't talked to her yet.

Aaliyah wandered his whole speech and asked:

- So what does that have to do with me?

Mahmoud stopped talking for a few moments before he deeply looked into her eyes and said:

- You're the one he wants to share his new life with.

- Me?!!

- And I'm the one with the problem. I'm the one who lost his passion for life until he saw you a few months ago.

- I... I'm really surprised by what you're saying, Mr. Mahmoud.

- I can't assure you that I love you, but I feel that we could be a source of happiness for each other if you agree that we get closer, get to know each other, and share our life's problems.

- And what would that feelings sharing be under?!

- Don't worry... I want to marry you, Aaliyah.

- But I know that you're married and you have children in the university, too.

- Yes...I'll stay married and they'll remain my children forever because I also love them so much.

- And what role will I play in your life then?!

- You'll be the beautiful half of my life that was stolen from me and I never got to experience.

- Honestly, I didn't imagine that you could think...

- But I imagined that you were interested in me and my psychological state during the past time and were trying to get close to me and help me.

She remembered that time when she showed care for him however she said:

- Huh... Really, I was just confused and surprised by what you just said.

- Okay, fine; you can think of it at your ease. I also need a little time to prepare for Huda and the kids.

- Okay... Very good, I mean we both need enough time to make this decision.

- Exactly... Take your decision at your ease and I'm waiting for you.

- Fine.

Aaliyah didn't expect this big surprise that reached the level of shock. She couldn't focus on her work, she didn't understand what had just happened. Did it really happen? How did it happen? Why did he love her that way? How did he become ready to confront his wife and children for the sake of marrying her? Was it an opportunity that she had never expected or imagined one day? Even the mere thought of it takes her breath away... She may have shown some interest in him, but she hadn't expected the love of his life, his wife and children, to fight for her at this age. Was his life stable before she appeared? Was she the reason for everything that would happen between him and his family? How would society and even the bank employees themselves accept this relationship if it happened? She had no idea what awaited her yet.