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‘It’s unrealistic for us, in this circumstance.’
She clamped her lips, biting back whatever she’d been intending to say.
‘You should be aware that our marriage contract will include a financial arrangement. It’s standard for royal marriages.’
Sadness welled inside her—a sadness born of his beliefs. Why didn’t he see who she really was? Why didn’t he accept her version of events? She wanted to shout at him that she didn’t want his money, that he could take his fortune and run straight to hell with it, but the truth was, if she remained in Khatrain, she would need access to funds immediately to cover costs back home. There was a small amount left in her account, which would pay for upcoming utilities, but Jackson’s college fees were due before long and India would need... She dug her fingernails into her palms to stop tears from filling her eyes. She would need to accept his payment, again. Her pride was stripped to pieces.
‘How much?’ The words were whispered, sadness thickening the consonants.
‘And now I have your interest?’
‘I’m just curious,’ she lied, as though it weren’t vitally important to her.
‘Naturally. What amount do you think would be fair?’ he prompted, arms folded over his chest. ‘It would help, of course, if I knew your going rate—then we could simply multiply that out to cover a lifetime.’
‘Don’t.’ She squeezed her eyes shut, anguished. She hated what he thought of her! And worse, that she was now living up to it, by accepting any kind of marriage settlement.
‘Why not?’ He sighed heavily. ‘Why can’t you at least own your decisions, India?’
Her stomach looped. He couldn’t possibly think any worse of her. The truth was, she knew exactly the amount she needed—enough to cover Jackson’s degree. She would sooner sell the house than ask this man for a cent more—as much as that would pain her. It was her family home, but her mother would have understood. She wouldn’t debase herself for a physical possession, but for Jackson? So he could stay at college, even when she was over here? She couldn’t leave him stranded. He had to be taken care of; her parents would have expected that of her.
‘I need one hundred thousand American dollars,’ she muttered, without meeting his eyes, so she didn’t see the surprise that flashed in them—surprise, because his marriage contract with Fatima had stalled at the point she’d sought ten million dollars on the day of their marriage, and a generous annuity thereafter.
‘I know it seems like a lot.’ She continued to stare at the ground, hating this situation with all her heart.
‘And what do you need this sum for, India?’
Her skin grew pale. She looked away, the awful truth of her financial situation like a lump in her throat.
‘It’s...personal.’
‘So personal you cannot share it with your fiancé?’
Fiancé...!She squeezed her eyes closed. Was she really going to do this?
‘Does it matter?’ she murmured eventually.
‘No.’ Contempt fired in the word and her stomach dropped. ‘Was there anything else?’
She was on a sinking ship, unable to find a life vest. She looked around, panicked, her mind in a spin. But yes, there was one other consideration, the most important one of all perhaps.
‘I think we should wait another month to announce our engagement.’
‘No. We must marry immediately; within days.’
‘Let me finish,’ she insisted. ‘You heard what the doctor said. The first trimester carries a higher risk of miscarriage. I hope and pray with all my heart that we are blessed with two healthy babies in seven months’ time, but if we’re not, if anything happens, then there’s no point in...the marriage between us...wouldn’t make sense.’
‘I also heard the doctor say that your risks are low,’ he reminded her.
‘Low, but not nil. It’s a simple precaution. You’ve made it perfectly clear that I’m far from the ideal bride. Why risk upsetting everyone if it’s not necessary?’
His expression was inscrutable, his handsome, symmetrical face as still as if it had been carved from granite.
‘It makes sense,’ she said softly. ‘We’ll wait a month, and then, if everything looks good, and this still makes sense... I’ll marry you, Khalil.’
