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“Did you need my support?” he asked.
“Yes.” She never asked because she didn’t want to set herself up for rejection. Her parents had not taken the time to see her perform while she was in school or early in her career. Hafiz had only seen her a few times early in their relationship.
“You have performed on stage countless times,” he pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter. I was always there for you, behind the scenes and in the shadows. I didn’t stand next to you during ceremonies and events, but I supported your work. Why don’t you support mine?”
His eyes narrowed. “Where is this coming from?”
“You wouldn’t understand,” she said as she closed her eyes. She realized she surprised him with her demand. It was rare to demand anything from him. She had spent so much energy trying to be part of his life that she didn’t expect him to take part in hers.
“Lacey, the next time I’m here, I will sit in the front row and watch your entire performance,” he promised.
She went still. “The next time you’re here?”
“I’m leaving Abu Dhabi in a few hours,” he said. “It’s time for me to home.”
* * *
He was going back. Lacey shouldn’t be surprised, but she was struggling not to show it. “You are returning to Rudaynah?”
“I have to go back.” His tone suggested that there had never been a question. “I’m still the prince. I have obligations.”
“And a wedding?” she bit out.
Hafiz tilted his head back and sighed. “Yes, I am getting married.”
“Why?” Lacey asked as the hopelessness squeezed her chest. “I’ve seen what kind of marriage you’re entering. It’s bleak and lonely. There is no happiness, no partnership and no love. Why are you doing this?”
“Because this is what I deserve!” he said in a harsh tone.
She gulped in air as she stared at Hafiz. “You’re still punishing yourself for something you did over ten years ago,” she said in a daze. “Hafiz, your countrymen have forgiven you. In fact, they adore you.”
“It’s not about my country. Yes, I accepted an arranged marriage because it is my duty. But I don’t deserve a love marriage. Not because I’m a prince. It’s because of what I did to Elizabeth.”
“Your mistress who had become pregnant?” she asked. “I don’t understand.”
“I discarded her and I denied my son. I had a chance to take care of them, but instead I abandoned them. I treated them worse than how your parents treated you.”
“Don’t say that,” Lacey whispered. “You are nothing like my parents. You value family. Your children will be your highest priority.”
“I don’t deserve to become a father after what I did. I neglected my responsibilities because I had been selfish. One day my brother will have a son, and he will become the heir to the throne.”
She was stunned by his words. Lacey had always known that Hafiz would make a good father. He would be attentive but allow his children to forge their own paths and make their own mistakes.
“All this time,” Lacey said, “you’ve been avoiding a love marriage and creating a family because of the way you treated Elizabeth?”
“Yes,” he said. “It’s only right.”
“No, it’s not. I’m sure Elizabeth has moved on.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Hafiz replied. “My suffering doesn’t end because she can accept what happened in the past. What I did was unforgivable.”
“You have suffered enough,” Lacey declared. “You have sacrificed your happiness for years while you’ve taken care of Rudaynah. You did everything you could to be the dutiful son and the perfect prince. When is it going to stop?”
“I don’t know. What if the selfish and spoiled prince is the real me? What if the playboy prince is underneath the surface, ready to break free?”
“It’s not,” Lacey insisted. “What I see before me is the real you. Caring and loving. Strong and protective. This is the man you’re supposed to be.”
“I want that to be true, but I can’t take that risk. I am going back to Rudaynah and marry Nabeela, who understands that this marriage is nothing more than a business arrangement.”
