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“What? What happened?”
“It’s Anna—I mean—it’s your Amir. He’s been in a horrible accident.”
My blood turned to ice, and I immediately began to shiver. My vision blurred, and I swayed. Thankfully, I was still in bed. I stuttered, “What? What do you mean? Is he…?”
I couldn’t even bring myself to consider he’d died.
“No, he’s still alive. But it seems tentative right now. They have him in ICU in an induced coma.”
I saw my own eyelids flutter and my peripheral vision went black as everything narrows to a pinprick. I heard myself say, “I love him,” in a pitiful voice.
Melinda picked up my hand, and I sagged against the pillows. “Omar has already sent the jet. We will leave first thing in the morning.”
“Okay,” I said and then everything went black.
Chapter Seven
I don’t remember the flight. I think I was in a haze through all of it. I might have slept. Melinda insisted I play cards with her, and then we started a game of chess. Nothing helped. I was a wreck and continually cursed myself for sending Amir away and denying him marriage. Now all I wanted was to be near him and with him and to take care of him. I was prepared to beg him and surrender all my will if it would mean he would grab hold and seek to live.
If how I’d been subsisting these past months was any indication, he didn’t care if he lived or died. I was now on a mission to make sure he cared and grabbed a hold. Even if it meant holding his comatose hand for months, I was going to make him aware of how much I loved him.
Our reunion in Dubai with Anna and Omar was somber, and I could tell Anna had been crying.
“He’s become such a dear friend,” she sobbed. “He was Omar’s friend before, but now we are all so much closer.” She hugged me and her tears began anew. “Jules, I know you had a plan, but he really needs you.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. I was so wrong to deny him. I’m heartbroken,” I said through my own tears.
Anna seemed shocked at my change of heart. “I was sure you wouldn’t change your mind. You’re so stubborn sometimes. So independent.”
I shrugged, “I’m learning a lot about myself. I’m trying to change.” Her expression was priceless and full of disbelief. I sarcastically interjected.
“What? A girl can have three or more opinions on a subject within a given moment.”
“Yeah, but we never admit it!”
I shrugged again, and then Omar cleared his throat. “Julie, I am delighted you were able to accompany Melinda on this trip. Would you like to rest or…”
I blurted, “Sorry for interrupting you—Your Highness—if it’s possible, I would really like to see Amir as soon as possible.”
He seemed relieved and gave me an agreeing nod and motioned with his arm that we could leave immediately. I kissed Anna goodbye and rubbed her belly quickly. She rubbed mine and blew me a kiss as the elevator doors dinged closed.
Omar spoke sincerely, “You broke his heart. When he returned he was half a man.”
“I felt the same way.”
“I do not understand why you sent him away. Why you did not marry him. At the very least, for the child.”
Omar seemed genuine in his questioning tone, and I knew I had no choice but to be honest with him.
“I was wrong, Omar. I could tell you all that went through my mind—the stubborn streak I possess—my fierce determination to make my own way and never need another—at least never admit that I need another. I could tell you all that and still it would make no sense. It doesn’t make sense to me—at least now it doesn’t.”
I put my face in my hands and cried. Omar pulled me against his chest and rubbed my back. I sobbed, “I was such a fool. I only hope it’s not too late.”
“Amir is a strong man. I believe there is yet time for you to repair the damage.”
“I hope so.”
Omar walked with me to the private room at the lavish hospital. He patted Amir’s chest and affectionately gripped the other man’s hand. Then he leaned down and kissed his best friend’s cheek. I really did like how the men in this culture weren’t afraid of showing the others closest to them how they really felt. For all their stoicism and macho bravado, down deep they seemed very tender and loving.
