Page 45 of Seduced By the Sheikh

He went into his study where he could be alone, and put his head in his hands. A few short hours ago he’d thought everything was coming together in his life. But it had been as fragile as a dream, shattered by reality. And by the fact that he could see sense in what Soraiya said about annulling the marriage.

He’d also heard the teasing rumors and jibes about his being fooled into a non-royal marriage. But, unlike Soraiya, he didn’t care. People always found something to talk about. Tomorrow they’d find something else. But the fact that Soraiya could believe he might want to annul their marriage? It shocked him. Surely she knew how he felt? But then he realized, how could she, when he didn’t know himself?

CHAPTER 21

The doctor had been correct. It wasn’t until twelve hours after they landed that Soraiya and Zak lost their baby. By that time, they were in Sirun hospital and Soraiya had received the best of attention. Physically, it had been straightforward, emotionally, it had been anything but. Soraiya had been able to return home to the palace within days—paler, slimmer, but with her spirit publicly intact and her sadness only displayed in private.

Zak was proud of her. But he was less proud of himself. He hadn’t found a way to show her exactly how much he loved her and wanted her in his life. When she’d broached the subject of annulment again, he simply said ‘no’. He didn’t want one. And she hadn’t pushed it. The sadness was like a physical barrier between them and one he didn’t know how to remove. Everything up till now had been straightforward in his life. Black and white. Like, hate. Work, play. But now he had to deal with a swirling morass of sticky emotions in his head and heart which he had no idea what to do with.

Until one day, weeks after they’d returned to Sirun, he was sitting in his office and he received a video call from his mother. He hadn’t been going to accept it initially but then she passed on some magic words via his assistant which made him indicate that he would. He’d never heard his mother apologize for anything before. His interest was piqued.

“Mother,” he said briskly, checking his watch. “I only have a few minutes.” He’d give her five minutes to communicate the latest drama in her life before he cut her short.

“Darling,” she greeted. “How lovely to see your handsome face again.” She smiled, that beautiful, bewitching smile which appeared to charm everyone in the world except his brother and him. She looked much the same. Beautiful, highly made up, the diamonds at her ears and throat sparkling in the Caribbean sunshine. Because that was where it appeared she was.

“What’s going on?” he asked. “Why the call? Why now?”

She shrugged, as if realizing it was her son she was talking to, and he was immune to flattery. “I’ve been in touch with Soraiya.”

This was news to him, but he wasn’t about to show it. “Of course.”

“She’s a strong woman and will be fine.”

A ripple of anger ran through him, but he was determined not to reveal it. “But that does not negate our loss.”

“Of course not. ”

“But, you are correct,” he conceded, “Soraiya will be fine.” He didn’t intend to discuss his or Soraiya’s feelings with his mother. “Now, mother, perhaps you’ll get to the point and tell me why you called.”

She smiled and leaned in to the camera, her eyes roving over the screen as if scrutinizing his face. He kept it impassive. Just a hint of weakness and she’d detect and exploit it. She sat back with a sigh.

“I told her you wouldn’t be keen.”

He drummed his fingers on his desk. “Told who, what.”

She took a drag on her cigarette. “Soraiya, of course. It was she who suggested we talk.”

Her expression suggested he’d hidden his surprise well. “What about exactly?”

“I asked her the same question.”

“And what,” he said, trying to be patient, ”was her answer?”

“That I should tell you what I told her.”

“And that is?”

His mother was uncharacteristically quiet for a moment, her eyes darting to one side as if her mind was trying to find alternative words. Then, with a resigned expression she turned back to face him.

He decided to help her. That way at least they might get this over and done with quicker. “My assistant said something about an apology.”

She grunted, tapped the ash on her cigarette into a gold saucer and looked back at him again. “Yes, that’s right. I wanted to tell you I’m sorry.”

His wide eyes obviously showed his surprise more than any words.

“Yes, believe it or not, I’m sorry for everything I’ve done.” She sat back with a sigh. “For most of the things I’ve done anyway. I can’t say I’m sorry for making your father’s life hell.” She shrugged and focused back on him. “But I am sorry for taking things I shouldn’t have.”

“You mean for stealing money?”

---