“No. You’re ugly already. It won’t change a thing.” He chuckled, and I slapped his arm in fake annoyance.
“I want you to be healthy so you can keep up with my…” He added, making my face burn in embarrassment.
I knew he was sending sexual innuendo. It was probably then that he realized we were not alone, as he stopped his sentence midway.
“Eat.” He gave me a knife and fork before taking a spoon and starting to eat the soup that he took from me.
We ate in silence for a while, and I actually liked the steak in front of me, but I couldn’t enjoy it as I felt the tension in the air. I was about to start a conversation when Riley beat me to it.
“Your kids. How old are they?” He asked. His eyes were on Zahra.
Zahra raised her head and met his gaze, smiling at him warmly as she spoke. “They’re nineteen, and they’re currently studying at a university in Atlanta. Their names are Bella and Ellie.”
“And they’re excited to meet you,” I added.
His gaze met mine, and he smiled at me. “Were they nice to you?” He asked in a soft tone, different from how he was addressing Zahra.
I nodded my head. “They’re wonderful and lovely! They’ve been really nice and sweet to me.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Riley,” Zahra spoke, and both our heads swung in her direction. “I know this is long overdue, but I want to apologize for leaving you, for not being around all your life. But if you will give me a chance, I would love to be present in your life moving forward, for the rest of my life. We can move and settle here in the neutral city so it is near your territory if that’s okay with you.” Her eyes started to well with tears, but she was holding them so as to not let them fall.
Riley cleared his throat, and his hand on my thigh tightened its hold on me. “You don’t need to rearrange your life because of me. I’m open to meeting you and your twins once in a while. Something like this. You don’t need to move back here.”
My heart dropped at the coldness of his voice. But Zahra smiled warmly and just nodded her head. “Yes. I could live with that. Would you allow me to see my grandchild?”
“Yes. If Nadia is okay with that.”
“Of course, and I promised Bella and Ellie that they can spend time with our pup once I give birth, so if you’re okay, maybe they can stay with us for a couple…”
“Wait. Hold your thoughts on that. We need to discuss that first.” He cut me off, his brows furrowing.
“Of course.” I couldn’t stop the pain in my voice.
I thought we were making progress, but Riley was still cold. But I dare not object to his words. I promised him that this meeting would go according to his will and I would respect that. Maybe I’ve gone too far, but I was just excited to share motherhood with his sisters.
“Anything more you want to add?” His question was directed at Zahra.
“I hope you will forgive me and give me time to explain.”
“Nadia told me what I needed to know. It’s enough for now. Anything else?”
“Can we meet again sometime? I will take your sisters with me.”
Riley just nodded his head. “Nadia will let you know when I’m free. Anything else?”
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. I knew Riley was stubborn, but I didn’t know he was this stubborn.
“My mate. I know I don’t have the right to ask you, but he wanted to meet you one day. It doesn’t have to be at the next meeting or the next. At your own time, I just want you to know that he wanted to meet you.”
“Leandro, right? I really don’t have business with him, but if that will make you happy, you can tag him along next time, and everyone else you want to introduce me to.” His voice was so cold that it sent shivers down my spine.
I closed my eyes as my heart clenched with pain for Zahra. I blocked off all my walls so as to not let Riley feel my emotions. He was too cold-hearted.
“I guess if that’s all, then we can end this. I have things to do. Nadia will just inform you when we can meet next time.” Riley continued, and my eyes snapped open in disbelief.
My eyes were still wide as I looked at him. Our gaze met, and I opened my mouth to speak. “I’m not done with my food.”
