Page 81 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

Until I appoint counselors I trust, he’s the one with whom I’ve been discussing the short- and long-term changes I want for the country. Today in particular, I was recounting my meeting with Elina Lykaios in detail.

My assistant is decidedly not in his usual mode. Amin, without fear of exaggeration, is the most formal human being alive, and the moment he walked into my office without asking to be announced, tension spread through my body.

“I need you to come with me, Your Highness.”

“Adeela?” I ask, already striding for the door, my father right behind me.

“No. Your future mother-in-law.”

My fists are clenched at my sides as I watch my father standing in front of Daisy’s armchair.

They’re speaking softly, and I imagine he’s asking after her health, trying to distract her from the fright she had.

The woman who, since arriving in Rheadur, had been gradually recovering, now looks as pale as the dead.

Her chemotherapy is set to begin next week. She preferred to wait until after the wedding, four days from now, because she said she’ll likely feel weak once treatment starts.

We’re also awaiting a German physician’s arrival in the emirate. He’s one of the world’s foremost specialists in breast cancer, and I won’t leave any stone unturned. If there’s a chance she can be cured for good, I will spare no effort.

I pull my gaze from her to my future wife, curled up in a corner.

Seldom have I felt such rage. Whoever did this will pay.

I move to my fiancée and kneel in front of her, not caring who might be watching. Protocol means nothing when my woman’s happiness is at stake.

“I want you to go lie down,” I ask, not touching her, and not for the first time I resent that something as simple as gathering her into my arms could spark gossip.

“I’m not leaving her,” she says.

“Look at me.”

She lifts her face, and her eyes are dry. I remember what my sister told me: if you hurt her, she won’t scream; she’ll lock herself inside and withdraw from everything. Adeela learned to suffer in silence.

“I gave my word you would both be safe. I’ll double the number of guards watching over her, and the servants attending the two of you will be handpicked. But above all, I promise I will find the one who dared defy me.”

“The person who did this wanted her dead, Kaled. I spent twelve years waiting to find my mother, and they almost took her from me.”

She doesn’t name a culprit, but we’re obviously thinking of the same suspect: Arif. Who else would have the nerve? Who would be vile enough to try to murder a sick woman?

One of the personal maids assigned to my mother-in-law found adeathstalker[35] scorpion among her bedcovers, which means it was placed there in the morning, or Daisy would already have been stung.

Its sting is extremely painful, but in a healthy person it might not be fatal. However, as one of our security technicians explained when he was called in to examine the scene, it could be deadly for someone whose health is already compromised.

Had the insect not been discovered in time, we’d be planning a funeral right now, not a wedding.

“I’ve ordered an investigation. Not only by local experts—a detective from outside is arriving today. The culprit will be punished. For now, I want you to rest.”

I’m impressed by her strength. Not once does she blame her father, though I have no doubt it was him—and if so, he openly defied my declaration that any offense against Daisy would be an offense against me.

“All right, I’ll just say goodbye to my mother. It’s incredible how calm she looks. I’m far more distressed.”

“Your mother has been through a lot, Adeela. She’s a strong woman.”

“But not immortal,” she says, standing and walking to Daisy’s chair.

I signal for Amin and the security chief to come closer. “Arif Ghazal, as well as his wives and daughters, are to be kept under twenty-four-hour surveillance until this is cleared up.”

Amin dismisses the bodyguard and meets my eyes. I know what he’s thinking without a word. We have no doubt who is responsible; we just need proof.