I leave the room determined to find him and settle this matter once and for all. I suspect he might be in his office, but I wish I had my phone with me to text him, letting him know I want to talk.
I was foolish to let my emotions get the best of me when dealing with my mother’s insanity. I need to learn how to deal with her soon, or she will make my pregnancy a hellish experience with her selfish delusions.
I get to the antechamber of his office, but the secretary isn’t there. I think Kamal might have come here, as this is where he usually goes when he wants to be alone.
The door is slightly ajar, and before I can push it open, I realize that someone else is talking to him—Adil, his advisor.
It wasn’t my intention to eavesdrop on their conversation, but the moment I realize what they’re talking about, I freeze in place.
“Good morning, Mother. Isn’t it too early to be up?”
“Madeline, I must salute you. You dropped a real bomb on the international press. I knew I taught you well how life works, but I admit I didn’t expect you to be this clever. You’re finally applying my lessons.”
“Mother—”
“No, Madeline, listen to me. Now I understand. Of course a well-bred girl who studied in excellent schools and frequented the best social circles would never get involved with a man like him for nothing.”
“A man like him? What are you talking about?”
“Well, I have to admit his looks aren’t half bad, if we overlook the fact that his skin is too dark, but nobody’s perfect.”
“I’m pregnant.”
“What?”
“I’m expecting Kamal’s baby.”
“My God, you’re amazing, daughter of mine. An heir—of course! Much better than I had imagined! Now you’ve secured your financial stability forever. I can’t wait to seethe faces of those detractors here in Boston who humiliated us the last few months when they find out you’re going to be rich. How long after getting married do you plan on asking for a divorce? I know excellent lawyers for marital disputes. Enrico Lambertucci, for example.”
Was he monitoring my calls? Recording my private conversations? Why?
That can only mean he doesn’t trust me.
My stomach churns as I realize that what happened in the gardens earlier was not an isolated incident. Kamal had already ordered surveillance on me.
What does he expect from a marriage where he doesn’t respect or trust me? I feel like a teenager whose mother watches to ensure she behaves according to her orders.
Seconds later, though, I realize with horror that during the entire phone call with my mother, I barely talked back, giving the impression to anyone listening that I agreed with her craziness.
Then I hear Adil’s question, intensifying my nightmare:
“What do you intend to do?”
“The only thing I can: protect my child from this woman,” Kamal replies, unyielding.
“The best way to keep your child safe is to keep her here as a prisoner. If she escapes to the United States, she’ll never be able to bring your heir back here, Kamal. Especially if she gives birth there. The courts in that country will always defend a citizen’s right to remain on American soil. If what this woman said was indeed part of a scheme between the two of them, Madeline plans to use your child as a bargaining chip.”
“It won’t happen. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my descendants.”
“Perhaps you’ll have to go much further than you imagine.”
“You don’t know what I’m thinking, Adil. Don’t try to guess. Madeline isn’t going anywhere with my child. After my baby is born, if she wants to leave, I’ll grant her the freedom, but she’ll go alone.”
I run away, desperate and hurt.
So, this is it? He needed a recording, which he shouldn’t have been listening to in the first place, to believe I’m a terrible person who would use a child for personal gain?
I pass by one of the rooms which belong to the maids, and I start looking for extra clothes, already forming a plan in my mind. When I find something suitable, I even wear a hijab to cover my hair.
