Page 19 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

“You’re trying to distract me. I’ve trusted you with my future, and you’re not returning the favor?” I’m not angry that she’s keeping secrets—everyone has them—but I am worried she might be getting herself into trouble.

“Promise you won’t freak out if I tell you?”

“I’ll try,” I joke, despite the tension.

“Since you’re not planning on going back to Rheadur and intend to go straight to your mother in America, I’m going to ask my brother to let me go study in England.”

I’m not convinced. That sounds way too simple for Jazmina’s standards. “That’s all?”

“More or less.”

“Spill it.”

“I want to go to the United Kingdom anonymously.”

I’m so shocked I take a step back and sit down on the bed. “What? Your brother would never agree to something like that.”

“Why not?”

“You’re a princess, for one thing. And even if you weren’t, you’re rich. Your father and brothers would send bodyguards to protect you no matter what. I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but anonymity is impossible for you.”

“Maybe I can persuade Kaled.”

“Don’t push your luck. Even if he’s your brother, if everything goes as we think, in a few weeks he’ll be our new sheikh. Don’t put him in a position where he has to choose between you and tradition. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“My brother was practically raised in the Western world, Adeela. He’d understand.”

“I know that, but he’s also loyal to tradition. From what people say, he’ll make a wonderful sheikh for our people, but even he has rules to follow. And so do you.”

She falls silent for a moment, clearly unhappy.Ruleis her least favorite word.

In the end, she sighs in defeat. “You’re right. I got carried away.”

“Yes. Why don’t we just enjoy a little freedom first, without overplanning everything? Two days to rest, then we can start figuring things out.”

“Two days without plans, fine. But rest?” She grins. “No way. If you’re up for it, I want to go shopping tomorrow.”

Paris

Hours later

Despite what she said earlier, Jazmina opens her carry-on bag just before landing and pulls out a hijab.

I do the same. Not that I intended to go bareheaded, but I was still undecided about whether to wear the chador. I think it’ll take me days—or weeks—to gather the courage to make my own choices without fear.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to know what it feels like to walk outside without a veil. Even when wearing it was optional back in Rheadur, my father forced me to keep my hair covered, except for that one night of the dance performance, when he had no choice. He was so angry about it that he refused to even watch.

Despite our supposed freedom to wear or not wear the scarf, I don’t want to give Prince Kaled a bad impression.

My stomach tightens with nerves at the thought that, in some way, we’ll be living under the same roof.

The last time I saw him was the night I danced at the palace.

For him. You danced for him, and you know it.

I push the memory away.

The best thing to do is remain invisible to the prince, speaking only when spoken to.