Page 69 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

“That should be interesting. Your sister didn’t seem too fond of your friend.”

“She’ll have to learn to take no for an answer. I’m sure Rodrick will handle her as he would his own sister.”

I’m not entirely convinced. From what Jazmina told me about the redhead, they nearly killed each other in the short time they spent together, but I’m not about to burst Kaled’s bubble.

“I think I should go in now,” I say, only then realizing I’m still sitting on his lap.

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“I appreciate the offer, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to do this alone. When we come to pick her up tomorrow, you two can meet.”

“All right. I’ll see you at dinner. I want to take you to my favorite restaurant in the city.” He kisses me again, then holdsmy face so I’ll look at him. “I’ll be at my office here on the island, but call me if you need anything. If you can’t reach me, call Amin’s phone.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not planning to leave the hospital. My mother and I have twelve years of conversation to catch up on.”

Chapter 33

I count to ten before opening the hospital room door, trying to calm myself, because I don’t want to upset her health by making her too emotional.

Just talking on the phone these last few days, I felt more connected to my mother than I ever did growing up beside my father.

The two of them are like fire and ice, not in a good “opposites attract” way, but as two incompatible human beings.

My mother pours sweetness into every word, and even from afar I could feel her love for me; my father, on the other hand, always seemed intent on dumping his bitterness on me, as if I were a receptacle for his rancor.

I grip the handle, and the door swings open.

We didn’t do video calls, so this is the first time in twelve years I lay eyes on the woman who gave me life.

Coward that I am, I first take in the luxurious room, which looks more like a hotel than a hospital. Kaled spared no effort to keep her comfortable, and the gesture brings tears tomy eyes. My fiancé, who has no idea what kind of person my mother is and owes her nothing, showed more consideration than my father, who was her partner for years.

“Adeela?” She wakes and tries to sit up, agitated. “Daughter?”

“Yes, Mom. It’s me.”

And then, the armor I hid behind while growing up, pretending my father’s and his family’s insults didn’t touch me, crumbles the moment she opens her arms to me.

I don’t know how long we cry. I know I should stop, but I can’t, and only when a nurse walks in to ask if everything is all right do I force myself to pull back a little.

While the woman takes her blood pressure, shooting me a reproving look, I take the chance to really look at my mother.

She’s still very young and beautiful, though far too thin and pale. I know she’s forty-one, but if she were healthy, I think she’d look much younger.

She stares at me as if afraid I might vanish at any moment.

“You shouldn’t get so emotional,” the nurse says, her face betraying more thoughts than she voices.

“I’m fine. I haven’t seen my daughter in over a decade, and nothing and no one is going to keep her from me.”

“Even so, I’ll inform the doctor. We don’t want to be held responsible if the patient’s condition worsens,” she says and marches out.

I feel a twinge of embarrassment, certain the scolding my mother just got is my fault.

“Don’t mind her. American doctors and hospitals are terrified of being sued, so if you sneeze more than what’s prescribed in your treatment, they make a note to protect themselves from future lawsuits.”

I smile, loving this humorous side of her. “I can’t believe I’m here,” I say, stepping closer to the bed again.

“You are,” she says, opening her arms. “And now that I have you back, my daughter, no one will ever separate us again.”