Page 64 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

If there’s no love between us, we at least have to make it work, respecting each other’s limits.

And I know we’ve already gone beyond hers.

After speaking with Vicenzzo on the phone and confirming what Jazmina told me about Ingrid’s crazy friend, and what had to be done to get rid of her, I call Amin to the apartment. If the scandal orchestrated by that model makes it to the tabloids, it’s better to contain the damage in advance, protecting Adeela.

By announcing our engagement, I’ll automatically deny any gossip that lunatic might try to spread about still being involved with me.

Chapter 30

“It’s done,” Amin announces. “The whole world now knows that Prince Kaled Fouad Ayad Badawi Faheem is engaged to Adeela Ghazal, and that the wedding will take place in Rheadur within the next few weeks.”

I nod, approving of how quickly my assistant managed to contain the storm forming on the horizon.

There were no journalists at the party, but as I predicted, Ingrid decided to play the role of the abandoned girlfriend, claiming I’d traded her for an arranged marriage. Though that’s true in a way, her statements diminished Adeela’s place in my life.

Circumstances may have brought us together instead of romance, but even so, it irritates me to see our relationship reduced to something so trivial.

By a stroke of luck, Adeela and I had already been photographed at several events since she arrived in Paris, and in every image, I’m portrayed as possessive, hovering near her.Even without touching her in public, any observer could tell she’s my woman.

Those photos, together with the official portraits I commissioned the day after I proposed, turned Ingrid’s interview into nothing more than the ramblings of a bitter woman—which, truth be told, is exactly what she is. I’m convinced it wasn’t losing me that upset her but rather the privileges that came with being seen at my side.

“I want you to find someone to take your current position, Amin. Once we return to Rheadur, you’ll be promoted to public relations.” He doesn’t look surprised. I’ve learned Amin is a man who never lets his emotions show. “I also need an assistant for Adeela. Preselect a few, but she’ll have the final say.”

My father called about an hour ago to tell me that the news of our engagement came at a perfect time, since today was the deadline for Naim’s return to Rheadur. Regardless of what happens now, he’s no longer the sheikh of our emirate, and I’ve already taken over the position, at least temporarily, though the official ceremony will have to wait until we come back from the United States.

“Any idea how our country reacted to my engagement?”

“Forgive me, Your Excellency...or should I call you YourHighnessnow?” He shakes his head as if to clear it. “No, of course, it would be Your Highness. Anyway, if I may say so, I thought you’d be more interested in how the people reacted to the news that you’re the new sheikh.”

I pick up a Murano crystal paperweight that belonged to my mother, turning it between my fingers. I already know how my people reacted to my becoming sheikh. Father told me they flooded the streets, celebrating, overjoyed.

That made me realize how much my brother had oppressed them with his absurd laws and reckless rules over the past two years. They had been suffering in silence.

And though I shouldn’t, I can’t help but feel guilty, as if, in some way, our family allowed Naim’s madness to go unchecked.

Call me old-fashioned, but a man who spends more time squandering money that isn’t his—unlike mine, which comes from investments made with my mother’s inheritance—instead of building hospitals and schools in his country, doesn’t deserve to be called a ruler.

Unfortunately, under the laws of our emirate, there was nothing we could do.

Leadership in Rheadur has always passed to the eldest son. Now, I wonder if it’s time to change that, perhaps allow a second son, or even a daughter, to rule if proven more capable than the firstborn.

Even though becoming leader of our nation was never my wish, the love I feel for my people won’t let me walk away from my duty.

“I’m more interested in how Adeela will be received when we return home. My father already told me the people were pleased with the change in leadership,” I reply.

“As for your fiancée, you can rest easy, Your Highness. She’s already adored by those closest to the royal family. I have no doubt that, soon enough, the rest of the nation will fall for her kindness and, if I may say, her beauty.”

Later that day

When I finally grew tired of waiting, I had her called to my office so we could discuss our trip to the United States.

Amin is with us, and she seems tense the whole time we talk about the journey. Still, every time our eyes meet, I can see that, like me, Adeela is trapped in the memory of what happened last night.

I pretend to listen as my assistant explains the global press release about our engagement and upcoming wedding, while deep down, all I want is to have her to myself.

As soon as he leaves, she starts to rise, but before she can reach the door, I stop her.

“Not yet.” In two strides, I’m behind her, my body pressing against hers. “Did you sleep well?”