Page 28 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

“You’re telling me Arif gave a man permission to hurt his own daughter?” I ask, stunned. “Why would he do that?”

We’re not living in the Middle Ages. There are laws in our emirate that protect women from violence.

I’m not naïve enough to think it never happens—cowards exist everywhere—but what she’s describing is almost unbelievable.

“She doesn’t know this, but if you ask me, he hates her because she looks like her mother. Or maybe he’s just a cruel man. Who knows? The fact is, Adeela can never go back to Rheadur.”

“He beats her?” I ask, and the words burn like acid in my gut. The thought of that delicate, nymph-like girl being hurt makes me sick.

“I don’t think so. If he did and she’d told me, I would’ve asked Father to intervene.”

“You used me to bring you both here,” I accuse. Even understanding her reasons, I won’t tolerate being played.

“I’m sorry you think that. It wasn’t my intention,” she says, sounding sincere.

“Don’t ever do that again. I love you. You’re my sister, and I’ll always stand by you, but don’t manipulate me, Jazmina.”

Her eyes fill with tears, and I feel like shit, but she needs to learn to be honest about what she wants. I don’t take well to being handled, no matter the excuse.

“Forgive me, but we were desperate. You have no idea what our country has become since Naim took over. Who else could I trust? Father doesn’t have the strength, physically or mentally, to fight the council’s decisions. How could I let thatmonster she calls a father hand her over to another one just like him?”

That won’t happen. I don’t care what it takes, but no one will ever lay a hand on her.

“Go check on your friend, Jazmina. See if she’s all right. I’ll think over everything you’ve told me and investigate these claims. When we get home tonight, go straight to bed. I’ll have a private conversation with Adeela.”

I’m convinced there’s more to this story than they’ve told me, but now that I’ve started, I’ll see it through. I’ll find out what’s happening in my country.

Arif’s actions toward his daughter must be the result of nearly two years of Naim’s reckless leadership, but I won’t let our nation slip further into darkness when it comes to basic human rights. Adeela isn’t an object to be offered. She has the right, and the duty, to choose her own husband.

And suddenly, it’s as if a curtain lifts before my eyes. I can see the path I have to take.

It’s time for me to lead my people.

Rheadur needs me.

Chapter 14

One hour later

I have no idea how we made it back to the apartment.

Ever since I got up from the table to go to the restroom, I’ve felt nauseous.

When we first arrived at the restaurant, I was enchanted by everything: the beauty of the place, the food, the kindness of the waiters. Not that I understood a word they said—unlike the two siblings, I don’t speak French, and their attempts to communicate in English weren’t good enough for me to grasp, since I’m far from fluent myself.

But none of that mattered anymore once Kaled brought up the reason we came to Paris.

Until that moment, I had allowed myself to be carried away by the magic of the evening. It felt like living in a dream, and that dream only got better every time I looked up and found his eyes on me.

But then, the enchantment shattered. Reality came crashing back when the prince started asking questions I’d known would come but dreaded answering.

We drove home in silence, the three of us lost in our own thoughts. Before I could excuse myself to go to bed, Kaled told me we needed to talk.

I glanced at Jazmina, and she gave me a small nod, clearly agreeing with her brother.

I’m not prepared for this. Facing the prince with my friend by my side is one thing. Facing him alone, having to answer the questions I know he’ll ask, is something else entirely.

Before I can say a word, however, one of the housemaids appears to tell me my father called and insisted that I return his call immediately.