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“What if he’d kept acting like a bastard about it?” she asked, her vulnerability to that eventuality in her tone.
Though Sayed doubted anyone else would have heard it.
He let her see how serious he was before he promised, “I would have ruined him and destroyed the Chatsfield from London to Sydney.”
“Wow.”
Sayed guided her to a seat on one of the small sofas and indicated a chair for her father to take.
Once they were all seated, Gene said, “I realize I have a lot of making up to do to build a relationship, but I want to try.”
Aaliyah looked up at Sayed. “Is he sincere or is this because I’m going to marry a prince, a pretty ruthless one at that?”
“He is sincere. Believe it.”
She nodded. “Okay.” Then turned her head to face Gene. “We can work on it.”
“You are very forgiving. I am not sure I deserve it.”
“I’m pretty sure you don’t,” Aaliyah said with her usual honesty.
Gene winced. “Touché.”
“But Mom wanted me to try, and if you’re willing, I am, too. For her sake.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m not calling you Dad, though.”
“No, I imagine we will suffice with Gene and Aaliyah.”
“Liyah. My friends call me Liyah.”
“I thought Sheikh Sayed called you Aaliyah.”
“Only my family calls me that.”
Like his parents and him. Sayed smiled.
“And I’m not that.” Gene sounded sad.
“Not yet.”
“It is something you will work on,” Sayed added.
The older man nodded. “Yes, I will. Liyah, I appreciate your willingness to try to forgive me?however, this news will come as a great shock to the children. I want to introduce you to them with the respect you deserve. But at the moment they are scattered throughout the world. They have lessons to learn,” he said ruefully, “hard lessons to learn before I would like you to meet them. Myself and Giatrakos are working on it, and they’ll all be back together soon. But for now, I would hope that you understand my request to wait.”
He was only able to stay one night, but in the time he was at the palace, Gene Chatsfield had shown nothing but genuine desire to build a relationship with the daughter he hadn’t known about.
Sayed was glad when both his parents confirmed his instincts that said bringing Gene Chatsfield into Aaliyah’s life was the right thing to do.
He returned Aaliyah’s locket to her before he left for the airport.
*
“That was kind of incredible,” she said after waving her father off.
“I am glad you enjoyed your time with him.”
