Page 75 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

Neither of us makes a move to offer a hand, and I give a curt nod, ending the exchange.

“You said your mother wanted to meet me? I can’t wait to be introduced to my mother-in-law,” I say, placing my hand at the small of Adeela’s back to guide her toward the room.

Half an hour later

Daisy is nothing like I imagined.

Even ill, there’s no denying the vibrant woman behind the frailty, and the first thing that crosses my mind when we’re introduced is how someone like her ever got involved with Arif, a man who has always seemed to hate life.

Seeing her in a hospital bed makes me think of my own mother. Unlike my mother-in-law, my mother’s esophageal cancer was discovered far too late. In a couple of months, she was gone, and no amount of money could keep her fragile life on this earth.

I make a silent promise that the same won’t happen to the woman before me. Daisy will have the best money can buy so Adeela won’t have to feel the pain I did.

My fiancée has stepped out for a moment to speak with the night-shift nurse. Her mother watches me in silence.

“Are you comfortable?”

“Very. Thank you for that.” She pauses before finally continuing: “You respect my daughter.”

It’s a strange assertion. From what I know of mothers, I expected her to ask whether I love Adeela.

“Yes,” I confirm.

“Give me your word you’ll never make her feel inferior, no matter how many other wives you may have.”

“I won’t have another. One is enough for me.”

She stares at me, surprised. “But in your position, that’s almost expected!”

“It’s not a rule, just a right. One I have no intention of exercising.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve found what I was looking for in Adeela. Why would I bring anyone else into our lives?”

Adeela asked to stop by the hospital again after our dinner, and I suggested she stay with her mother, since we should be leaving for Rheadur as soon as tomorrow.

It’s for the best. The idea of being alone together in an apartment is tempting but also too dangerous. Our reaction to each other borders on the uncontrollable, and I don’t want to ruin things by taking her virginity before she’s proclaimed mine before our people.

My father called and said we must return immediately. Through reliable channels, he’s learned that the scandal involving my brother’s past is expected to break at any moment, and when it does, Rheadur must already be under my command.

To my surprise, he sounded calm, his voice steady. The fear I had that his health wouldn’t withstand the blow, thankfully, didn’t come to pass, but that doesn’t mean he can bear the weight of a scandal alone.

Chapter 36

“I want round-the-clock bodyguards for Daisy, even inside the palace,” I tell Amin.

He looks at me; I know he has questions, but it’s not in his nature to voice them without an invitation.

“What is it?”

“Do you think Counselor Arif might try to harm his ex-wife?”

“I don’t believe he’d go that far, knowing my mother-in-law is now under my protection, but I don’t leave loose ends. She matters to Adeela, so she matters to me as well,” I say, downplaying it.

The truth is, liking Daisy surprised me. I didn’t expect to dislike her, but I’m genuinely starting to grow fond of the woman who brought my future wife into the world.

“I’ll arrange everything, Your Highness.”