Page 58 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

Certain that nothing good can come of this, I try to get rid of her before Adeela gets close. “Good evening, Ingrid. Care to explain what you’re doing here? I don’t recall seeing your name on the guest list.”

“That’s because it isn’t,” Vicenzzo says, joining us. “Miss . . . ?”

“Ingrid Meyer,” she manages, though she can barely stand upright.

“Miss Meyer,” he continues politely, “please allow my security team to escort you to the exit. We’ll make sure you get a cab.”

Before she can respond, Adeela and Jazmina reach us, and of course, Ingrid picks that exact moment to make a scene.

“I’m not leaving before I have a little talk with him,” she slurs, pointing at me. “Kaled, how could you end our relationship over the phone? We had such wonderful times together!”

I have a particular disdain for drunk women. Mine, at least, always knew better than to drink too much, at least in my presence. But that isn’t what angers me now. It’s the spectacle she’s making, not for my sake, but because it humiliates Adeela.

“There’s nothing left for us to discuss, Ingrid. We were never in a relationship. We went out twice in one week. That hardly qualifies. So I’ll ask you again to stay away from me.”

Over her shoulder, I catch sight of Adeela turning to leave. I follow her immediately, but like some scene from a bad movie, the deranged model comes stumbling after us.

I don’t care who’s watching anymore. All I want is to shield Adeela from this mess.

“Wait,” I say, catching her arm.

“I want to go home,” she says quietly, though she’s already walked down the stairs leading to the cabins. We’re now in the hallway outside a suite.

“Kaled,” Ingrid calls from behind. I turn, but I don’t let go of Adeela.

I can’t believe the lunatic actually followed us.

“Don’t come any closer,” I warn.

I’m not sure if it’s my tone or the look on my face, but Ingrid finally seems to regain a sliver of sanity.

I turn back to the only woman who matters. “We’ll leave whenever you want, but don’t run away like that.”

“I’m not running.”

“No?” I challenge.

She looks past me, toward Ingrid, and I catch the flash of anger in her eyes.

Even though I hate this situation, Adeela can’t afford to back down so easily, not if she wants to survive high society. Not in Europe, and certainly not in Rheadur.

“What do you expect me to do? Roll on the floor with her? Because that’s exactly what I feel like doing.” Her voice doesn’t rise, but I can sense the fire behind it.

“All I expect is for you to remember you’re the only one I want. The woman I’m going to marry.”

“You can’t be serious, Kaled. You’d choose her over me?” Ingrid blurts out, picking the worst possible moment.

To my surprise, Adeela steps forward and even pushes me aside.

“Do you see this ring?” she says, raising her left hand, the diamond glinting in the light. “He gave it to me a few days ago when he asked me to marry him. Which means he’s taken or, as the celebrity magazines say,officially off the market. You think you’re crazy? Try coming near my fiancé again, and I’ll show you what crazy really looks like.”

After her burst of fury, she grabs my hand and pulls me into the suite, slamming the door behind us.

Chapter 28

She’s leaning against the door, watching me.

I can usually predict my opponents’ next move, but right now, I have no idea what hers will be.