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“Everything is fine, Lucy.” She nods and leaves but I can see in her eyes that she knows I’m lying.

Everything is not okay when it involves Naseer and Jade

seven

Naseer

Leaving Ken and Josh, I occupy a small conference room and shut the door, then make the phone call that could help my mind understand and settle this mess.

“What’s wrong Naseer?” Brian asks when he answers the phone.

“She’s here in Rhanaz working in LaBelle. What are the odds of that?”

“Who’s there?”

“My wife—Jade.”

I hear the exhale. “Whoa, how did that happen?”

“I don’t know, but I almost missed her.”

“Have you two talked? Did she say why she disappeared for almost six years?”

I give a sad laugh. “That would be too easy, wouldn’t it?” I reply in a sarcastic tone.

“What did she say?”

“Well, she has two children now, twins, the father abandoned them, and she’s engaged to another man.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Naseer, what are you going to do?” I hear concern in his voice, also a wary tone.

“She says she wants a divorce but I’m not giving her one.” I state controlling the pain, the joy, and the underlining emotions.

“Come on, Naseer, are you trying to hold her hostage?”

“Jade is my wife and I have no intention of divorcing her,” I snap. Why can’t they all get that?

“I know how much you love her, and I believe she loved you too, maybe something or someone is spooking her.”

“What or who could be spooking her that she couldn’t tell me and instead goes out and has children with another man and gets engaged to a third guy. Do you have any idea how I feel right now? She’s blatantly throwing these men in my face.” I want to rip things apart. I’ve never been more grateful for my training than now. I’m raging inside.” I let out my tirade.

“I can understand your feelings, but let’s play smart.”

“Smart is not in my playbook right now.”

“Smart is what we are going to do. Why don’t you stay close to her and try to find out what happened after you dropped her off at school? Maybe you won’t rage so much.”

“I can assure you I will rage, but I’ll try your method. I have no intention of letting her out of my sight. I’m going to make sure she doesn’t leave me ever again.”

“I understand you are upset but please be gentle. Mariam didn’t come across as not in love with you. I want to believe that we are missing something.”

“Fine. Thanks, Brian, I’ll speak to you later.” I hung up and let out a grunt. I can’t explain how I feel about Jade’s children. I’m mad. Those were meant to be our children. I don’t want to think about how the impregnating of my wife happened. That would make me spiral. This new fiancée needs to disappear. I’ll play along as Brian suggested, but the children are a hard kick in the gut.

After hanging up with Brian, I made two calls. Both calls will keep Jade in Rhanaz. She can’t leave the country without me knowing. As soon as she approaches any of the borders—air, road, or sea—I’ll know. No more of her running away like a thief in the night. Until the force standing between us is broken, she stays here.

eight

The Phone call