Page 41 of A Million Shades Of Love and Betrayal

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.

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Yasmin

I arrived at the grand entrance of the mansion, my stomach fluttering with excitement and curiosity. The sprawling estate, with its ivy-covered walls and towering oak trees, looked like something out of a fairy tale. I stepped out of the car, adjusted my dress, and took a deep breath. Lunch with my father and sister was always an event, but today felt particularly special.

As I walked up the stone steps, the massive front doors swung open, revealing my father standing there with a broad smile. "Yasmin!" he called out, his arms wide open.

"Dad!" I rushed into his embrace, feeling the warmth and strength of his hug. With my secret being revealed, I felt like a lighter version of myself.

Amirah appeared behind him, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Yasmin, you made it!" I turned to Amirah, who was bouncing on her toes with excitement. We hugged, giggling like we used to when we were kids.

We exchanged our greetings, our laughter echoing through the grand entrance hall. The mansion's interior was just as impressive as the exterior: marble floors, high ceilings, and a sweeping staircase that curved gracefully to the upper floors.

"This place is incredible," I said, my voice filled with awe. "Why did you choose this location for lunch, Dad?"

He smiled mysteriously. "I have a surprise for you both. But first, let me give you a tour, shall we?"

We began to walk through the mansion, Dad leading the way. The first room we entered was a massive dining hall, its long table set with elegant China and crystal. I couldn't help but be amazed at the grandeur of it all. I almost felt underdressed even though we were the only ones here.

Amirah was the first to voice what we were both thinking. "Dad, this place is huge. Are we seriously just here for lunch?"

Our father chuckled, a knowing twinkle in his eye. "Not exactly. I've been thinking about purchasing this property."

Amirah and I exchanged stunned looks. "What? Why?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around the idea.

"I've been missing you girls," he confessed, his voice softening. "I want to be closer to you, to be a bigger part of your lives. This place... it could be our family home. A place where we can all spend time together and create new memories."

Amirah and I exchanged another look. "You're serious?" she asked, her voice tinged with amazement.

"Yes, and your mother agrees. You guys love it here so we thought it would be a good idea for us to join you and lay down roots, it's honestly surprising that we waited this long."

My heart swelled with emotion with each word that he spoke. I've been in this country for a long time, and I always wished I could convince my family to move here but with the family business firmly based in the middle east, I knew that would never happen. When Amirah first visited, I thought that was the most I would ever get my family to do but now my father bought a house- a mansion- so he could be closer to us. It was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture. "Dad, that's... that's amazing," I said, my voice choked with emotion. "Thank you."

Amirah nodded, her eyes glistening with tears. "It's heartwarming, Dad. You're always thinking of us."

"Aw girls don't cry," he mumbled, watching us from where he stood. "You know I'm no good with a woman who cries."

We laughed, fully aware of how out of his element he was whenever our mom cried. He was an impressive businessman, wealthy without reason, with countless staff at his every beck and call. Yet when it came to his wife and kids, he was a big teddy bear.

We continued our tour, exploring room after room. Each one was more impressive than the last. There was a library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a cozy sitting room with a fireplace, and even a ballroom with a sparkling chandelier. As we walked, we chatted about our family, reminiscing about old times and sharing our hopes for the future.

In one of the bedrooms, I lingered by the window, gazing out at the serene landscape. A thought struck me. This house, while beautiful, was too big for me. But it made me realize something. I wanted a place to call my own, a home where I could build a life with Rafael. We were a real couple now and I wanted everything with him. I glanced down at the engagement ring on my finger, its diamond catching the light. Rafael and I were in a real relationship, but was our engagement real too?

I made a mental note to discuss it with Rafael. We needed to talk about our future, about what we both wanted. The thought filled me with excitement and nervousness, but it felt right. With Ethan, it felt like I was just going through the motions, especially because there were so many secrets with us. But with Rafael everything was out in the open and I've never felt so free.

"So, Yasmin," Amirah's voice brought me back to the present. "What do you think of the place?"

I smiled at her. "It's beautiful. I can see why Dad wants to live here. It feels... welcoming."

Ivan beamed at us. "I'm glad you both like it. I want this to be a place where we can all be together, support each other, and grow as a family."

As we continued the tour, I felt a sense of contentment settle over me. My father's gesture meant the world to me. It showed how much he cared, and how much he wanted to be a part of our lives. With another turn, we ended up in the garden, a beautifully landscaped area with vibrant flowers and a small fountain. We sat on a bench, the warm sun shining down on us, and continued our conversation.

"Yasmin," Dad said, his tone serious yet loving. "I know I haven't always been there for you and Amirah the way I should have. But I'm committed to changing that. This house is just the beginning."

I reached out and squeezed his hand. "Dad, you're here now, and that's what matters. We appreciate everything you're doing."

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