Page 95 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

“A dangerous world.”

“Adeela, danger exists everywhere. Maybe after a few months I’ll regret it and want to come home, but I need to give myself the chance to try.”

“What do you expect to find?”

“I don’t know. Haven’t you ever dreamed of a different life?”

“Away from my father and his family, yes. But from my country? Honestly, no. My father isn’t a reflection of our people—he’s the exception, with his twisted mind.”

“He’s not the only one. There are many elders who still think the same way and don’t value women as they should.”

“I know, and that’s why we’re working to change it, but it takes time. With the creation of the Women’s Committee, we’ll start acting on multiple fronts: adult education, especially for women, who make up most of the illiterate population. The goal is to gradually ease social restrictions until there’s no longer a distinction between citizens, men or women. It’s no use forcing change down people’s throats. First, women need to be educated to recognize their own rights, or they won’t know how to fight for them.”

She smiles and shakes her head.

“What?”

“You’ve matured since you married Kaled.”

“We talk a lot about the country’s problems. My husband spent so long away that he didn’t have a real sense of what had happened to the emirate over the past two years.”

“He’s a natural leader, isn’t he?”

“Yes. Leadership comes to your brother as naturally as breathing. But more than that, he’s a good man. He never planned to rule Rheadur, but as the honorable son he is, he returned to his people when they needed him. He’s never once complained to me, you know? Never said he misses life in Europe.”

“You love him.”

I look down at my hands. “Yes. I suppose it’s rather obvious. I didn’t expect it, to be honest, but I fell in love with him.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

“Only if he doesn’t love me back.”

“Adeela, he’s crazy about you. Anyone with eyes can see he worships the ground you walk on.”

“You think so?”

“When someone says ‘I think,’ it means they are not sure about it. Remember the kind of life he had in Paris? Those parties filled with models and—”

I lift a hand, cutting her off before she can finish, because just thinking about that Ingrid makes my blood boil.

“You thought of that lunatic, didn’t you?”

“I did. And I still want to make her swallow every word she said about me in the press.”

“I love this new Adeela. I’ve always loved you, but seeing you stand up for yourself, refusing to take anyone’s nonsense, makes me so proud.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“But I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“And speaking of love, why haven’t you given Kaled his wedding gift yet? Sofia rushed to finish it in time, and he still doesn’t know about the painting.”

“I lost my nerve. I ordered it on impulse, then felt like I might be crossing a sensitive line. He barely talks about her, you know?”

“Because I think it still hurts. No one really recovers from losing their mother. Mom and I have our issues, but even so, I can’t imagine my life without her.”