Page 68 of Unknown Royal Baby

‘Avril, I—’

She interrupted, needing to explain, knowing he deserved the absolute truth, not just a snippet of it. ‘Sometimes I hoped you might begin to love me just a fraction of the way you love Maryam.’ Her voice wobbled. ‘Because I love you. I think I always have. But all your praise was for when I did a good job, learning quickly or behaving the right way at an official function. It felt like your approval was never just forme.’

She hurried on when he would have interrupted. ‘Iunderstand, Isam. I know nothing is more important to you than Zahdar. That’s always been your absolute priority. But you never saw me as a realpartner. You were too busy protecting me. It didn’t feel like trust or partnership, much less love.’

‘And you deserve love.’ His piercing eyes held hers and she felt the weight pressing down on her chest lift as he smiled. ‘That’swhat’s been holding us apart. That’s why you couldn’t go through with our marriage.’

He was smiling now, his expression tender, and Avril was shaking so much he had to wrap his arms around her to support her, drawing her close.

Or maybe there was another reason for his action, because he needed her as much as she did him.

She looked up into his proud, dear face and warmth flooded her. The warmth of love and belonging.

‘You were wrong about me not caring, Avril—’

‘I know. I realised when you started planning to send me and Maryam back to London, and without a word of complaint. Even knowing the enormous scandal you’d face. You put my happiness above your own interests and desires.’ Avril clutched his shoulders.

Isam met her stare with a look she’d never seen before. ‘I’d sacrifice all I have, if it meant having you, Avril. You say nothing is more important to me than Zahdar, but if—’

She pressed a hand to his lips. ‘Don’t say it, Isam. I would never ask that.’

The thought of him giving up the role he’d spent his life preparing for didn’t bear thinking about. He wasn’t just devoted to his country, he was excellent as its leader and his people loved him.

Isam pressed a kiss to her fingers then drew her hand away, planting it over his chest so she felt his powerful heartbeat.

‘I love you, Avril.’ His words made the world still and all her senses heighten. ‘In a different way but just as strongly as I love our daughter. I want you to be happy more than anything. Because I love you with all my heart.’

She stared in awe, everything inside her jangling in delight. ‘That’s why you agreed to let me leave?’

‘What else could I do? You tried your best to fit in here, I knew that. And if you weren’t going to be happy here I had no alternative.’

‘It wasn’t the place that was the problem, Isam.’

‘It was me.’ He drew a deep breath, his chest rising beneath her palm. ‘If only I’d known. I was attracted to you right from the first. That night in London I knew you were out of bounds but I just couldn’t resist. None of the arguments in my head could deter me.’

‘You remember that?’

His mouth curved into a crooked, endearing smile that she felt deep in her core. ‘I remember it all now, every glorious detail. In fact, it was seeing you again across the conference table that ignited my memories. That’s why I had to leave you with my staff. I was getting flashbacks, of very intimate moments.’ His chuckle delighted her and she found herself smiling back. ‘I tortured myself for ages, believing I’d seduced you.’

‘And now you remember how it really was. That I was responsible.’

‘It was mutual. We were both responsible.’ Isam shook his head as he hugged her to him. ‘I took a long time, realising exactly how I felt about you. It was only tonight, at the prospect of losing you, that I found a name for it. I’ve broken with family tradition and fallen in love, Avril.’

She laughed breathlessly. ‘Your grandparents would be proud of you.’

‘I think you’re right.’ He paused. ‘I confess I’ve spent a lifetime learning to shoulder responsibility and protect others. In theory those are fine traits but you’ve taught me they need to be tempered.’

His arm tightened around her waist and he drew himself up. ‘If I promise to share more with you, rather than assuming I need to take charge, will you reconsider and stay?’

‘Don’t, Isam! Of course I’ll stay. I love you. Don’t make this sound like it was all your fault. It’s mine too. I accused you of not sharing but I didn’t either. I hoarded my feelings to myself, too scared to talk about them, because I’ve spent too long thinking myself unlovable. If I’d spoken out—’

‘Shh.’ Isam’s lips grazed hers and nothing had ever felt so good. For she tasted understanding, love, and her own hopes for the future there. ‘Let’s agree that we both made mistakes and we’ll trust each other with the truth from now on.’

Avril wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled with all the joy in her heart. ‘That sounds absolutely perfect, my love.’

EPILOGUE

‘YAY!’SHAKILBOUNCEDin his seat, clapping.

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