Page 35 of The Prince's Secret Twins

Amit barely reacted. His eyes remained on Marianna, watching. Waiting.

“And our citizens?” he asked, as if Khal’s command was a mere formality. His tone softened just a fraction, but the steel was still there. “I want assurances that the woman and her children will be treated well.”

Joran’s anger didn’t abate, but something in Amit’s wording made him pause.

“She will be treated with absolute respect and my sons will be raised to be strong, confident men,” Joran said, his voice dangerously low. “And we’d never give Marianna to you! She’s our sister! Not some bargaining chip to be traded.”

Amit finally looked away from Marianna, his gaze shifting to Joran. There was something satisfied in his expression.

“I see.”

The words were soft. Intentional.

Amit straightened, adjusted his cuffs, then glanced at Khal. His next words weren’t directed at anyone in particular, but they carried purpose.

“I’ll take my leave.”

He turned, striding from the room with the same deliberate ease he had walked in with, leaving only silence behind him.

Joran exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “What the hell just happened?”

Khal didn’t answer immediately. His gaze had shifted to Marianna, who still looked shaken. That wasn’t right. Had she really thought they would let her go?

Joran and Raj had reacted without hesitation. Had Marianna expected them not to?

Amit’s words echoed in Khal’s mind—not the demand, not the mockery.

I see.

A slow, unsettling realization settled over him.

The prince had never come here to take anyone.

He had come here to prove something.

And Marianna, standing separate from her brothers, alone even in a room full of family, had just learned that for herself.

Khal stepped forward, watching Amit leave, before he turned to the women. “Marianna, I’m so sorry!” he walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. “You shouldn’t have had to see that,ya helwa.” He sighed and kissed the top of her head. “I promise you’ll never have to deal with that man again.”

“I’m fine,” she assured Khal, but there was an odd expression in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said, pulling back and looking up into his features. “Thanks for not selling me off in exchange for Tila and the twins.”

He laughed, shaking his head, stunned by the audacity of the man. “Never!” And he hugged her again, his arms gentle.

The sound of a baby crying broke up the moment and everyone turned to the still-open doorway.

“Why is Rafi out in the hallway instead of in our suite?” Tila demanded, and everyone froze!

Chapter 28

The doorway was so close—just a few feet away! So close to freedom, to the life she was meant to have.

Ophelia’s breath came in frantic gasps, her heart hammering against her ribs. She clutched the baby tighter, willing him to stay quiet.Please, please, just a little longer.She tried bouncing him, jostling him gently as she ran. She had no idea if this was Rafi or Laith, but it didn’t matter. He was hers now. She had done everything right to get here.

For the past week, she had woven herself into the palace fabric like a well-placed thread. She had been hired on as part of the cleaning crew, smiling at the guards, laughing at their jokes, asking about their families. She’d worked extra shifts, covered for others, learned their routines. She had memorized their names, their schedules, their habits. She’d made sure she was seen as reliable, friendly, trustworthy.

And it had worked.

They had welcomed her. Trusted her. Let their guard down.

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