Page 27 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

“As I said on the phone, it was an urgent situation,” Jazmina explains.

“Why?”

“Before I tell you, you have to promise that no matter what happens, you’ll be on our side. Even if, three weeks from now, you’re officially sheikh, you can’t go back on that promise.”

Now I’m getting seriously concerned. “What did you two do?”

“You have my word it wasn’t anything wrong, Kaled,” my sister says seriously. “But I’ll only tell you everything if you swear you’ll support us unconditionally.”

“Did you break any laws? Hurt anyone?”

“Of course not,” she answers, but it’s not her I’m looking at.

“Talk to me, Adeela,” I order.

“No, we didn’t hurt anyone or break any laws,” she says softly, “but I’m afraid of what my father will do to me when he finds out I ran away because I discovered everything.”

“Discovered what?”

She takes a sip of water, then wipes her lips with the napkin.

She’s clearly trying to buy time. To gather courage.

“That he offered me in marriage to a man fifty years older than I am,” she says, lifting her chin.

Her words don’t come out as a complaint, but with disbelief, as if she still can’t accept that her father actually did that.

Arranged marriages are increasingly rare, even in Rheadur. Back when my father was sheikh, women at least had the right to approve or refuse their suitors.

“Did you and your father ever have a conversation that made him think you wanted to marry?” I ask, and for reasons I can’t explain, I need the answer.

“No. We never talked about marriage or husbands. My father is very...strict, so I think that scared off any potential candidates.”

I keep my expression neutral as I process everything quickly, but judging by her pale face, I know she’s still holding something back. “And what else?”

“Isn’t that horrible enough?” Jazmina cuts in.

“No. There are missing pieces to this story. Let her speak.”

“How do you know we’re not telling you everything?” my sister tries to deflect.

“Because one ‘no’ from Adeela would’ve been enough to stop the marriage,” I say.

“I’m sorry, brother, but you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Can we finish this conversation when we get back to your apartment?” Adeela asks tensely.

“No. I’m giving you the chance to tell me everything. There won’t be another one. What don’t I know? Were you being forced to marry?”

“Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom,” Adeela says, standing up.

As she walks away, heads turn to follow her. Even with her hair covered, there’s no hiding that beautiful face.

“Kaled, she’s embarrassed to tell you,” my sister says, pulling me back into the moment.

“Tell me what?”

“Counselor Arif isn’t the same man as a father that he is as a counselor, or maybe he’s just a terrible counselor too, considering he agrees with Naim’s insane decisions,” she says.“But what he did to Adeela is beyond comprehension. She overheard him offering her hand to a man old enough to be her grandfather, telling him he coulddisciplineher if necessary.”