I smile and laugh all night, as if nothing concerns me. Inside, the gears of my mind work relentlessly.
It’s a shame that Madeline has to pay for getting involved with him. I almost like her, with her good-girl demeanor and that sexy American accent.
Unfortunately, she will have to die. She and the little monster she is carrying in her body.
It would be so much easier if she weren’t pregnant . . . I could even keep her around for a while, just for fun.
However, I can’t take any risks.
Soon, Madeline will be Kamal’s second bride to lose her life.
Didn’t he get that I will never allow him to be happy? He’s so conceited and obtuse that he doesn’t realize I’ll dedicate my every breath to destroying him.
I could kill him and end everything once and for all, but what’s the fun in that?
No, I’m rather fond of psychological torture.
For the second time, he’ll feel betrayed. Only this time, he won’t even have Madeline’s body to bury.
Chapter 43
“It seems like you want to ask me something but don’t know how, Madeline,” says Kamal’s sister, Nawra. Of the three sisters, she has become the closest to me, perhaps because she’s also pregnant.
“I do, but I don’t know how to do it without feeling like I’m intruding.”
We are on the terrace of the main hall. We just had dinner a little while ago, and the rest of the family, except for Zarif and Kamal, is chatting animatedly.
My fiancé’s mood seems to have improved since our private chat, but I haven’t seen him approach Zarif yet.
“It’s about my brother, the Sheikh?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Let me guess: you want to know why he and Zarif are at each other’s throats every time they meet.”
“That too, but first, I’d like to ask about Kamal’s ex-fiancée.”
She looks at me, sounding surprised. “Hiba? He told you about her?”
“Not much. He just mentioned that she . . . uh . . . took her own life.”
“Yes, she did, but I’m not sure if we should talk about it.”
I feel a bit embarrassed. “That’s alright.”
I start to leave, but she stops me.
“No, wait a moment, Madeline. You have every right to be curious. It’s just that I don’t know if I should speak ill of the dead.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t like her.”
“Oh! May I ask why?”
“It’s hard to explain. Our energies didn’t match. I found her insincere. She wouldn’t look people in the eye. Evasive. But be careful about mentioning the deceased around Iesha. They were friends.”
“I don’t intend on stepping on anyone’s toes. I just wanted to know . . .”
