Page 100 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

‘She’s neither,’ Sahir said. ‘I haven’t spoken to Violet. I don’t need to, to know.’

‘Your mother did not suffer.’

‘Oh, no? I’ll tell you this. If you had—’ He pulled back from the edge. From talking about the bruises his father had dismissed. His own guilt clashed within him as he fought not to lay blame. ‘Don’t lecture me about love.’

Sahir turned away.

‘You can’t leave now.’

‘Watch me.’

Sahir walked to the huge doors, expecting his father to call him back—which he did. But he had never anticipated the words he would choose.

‘I am to undergo surgery.’

The King let that sink in for just a moment, watching his eldest son, the most composed of men, recover from only the briefest falter and then turn around.

‘It is delicate surgery...neurological...’

‘You didn’t think to tell me?’

‘I had an...episode a couple of weeks ago.’

‘And?’

‘Aadil thought it should be checked out.’

‘No.’ Sahir shook his head. ‘Aadil would never have left you and come to London if you were ill...’

‘It didn’t seem that serious then. I was just...’

‘More worried than you let on to Aadil?’ Sahir said. ‘So it was time to push ahead on my marriage...’ He frowned. ‘What happened on Saturday?’

‘I don’t know what you are referring to.’

‘Don’t lie now.’

‘A small seizure. Hakaam overreacted and hit the panic alarm.’

‘I should have been informed.’

‘I myself have only just found out the extent of the...growth.’

‘Growth?’ He stood, stunned, watching his father discuss a brain tumour and his possible demise in such a matter-of-fact fashion.

‘I want to go into surgery knowing the future is taken care of. I want you married to a suitable bride—not giddy with love. I have fought hard to give you a peaceful land to rule over.’

‘Are you dying?’

‘We’ll know more after the surgery. Or you’ll know more and I’ll be gone...’

‘You cold bastard.’ Sahir stood. ‘How can you tell me like this?’ Then he looked at this man who had once so coldly sanctioned his aide to tell a teenager his mother had died. ‘Does it never enter your head that I might care?’

‘Sahir, this is not a time to be weak. I am explaining why you cannot leave.’

‘Do you know why I’m going to ask Violet to marry me?’ Sahir’s voice was like a knife. ‘Because I want everything my mother never had. I want my children to laugh with their father. Not to stand and be told he is dying as if he is simply getting a new robe.’

‘I am not scared of death.’

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