Page 65 of Prince of Her Heart
She leaned into him, smiling shyly at his intimidating relatives.
But Marianna stepped closer again, her tone now softer.“We’re very excited for both of you,” she said, taking Tabitha’s hand.Then she shook her head.“I just don’t understand,” she said, more to the room than anyone in particular.“What would drive a woman to attack with a knife?What could possibly provoke that kind of madness?”
One of the guards stepped forward—it was Brant, she remembered now.“We’ve got her in custody.Sheriff’s department confirmed it, interrogating her for the past few hours.”
Marianna turned toward him, eyebrows lifted.“And what have you discovered?”
He nodded grimly.“Apparently, her husband—Martin—has been comparing her to Ms.Jones for years.Telling her she wasn’t as smart, or as beautiful as Ms.Jones.Always bringing up Ms.Jones.”He paused, shaking his head.“She just… lost it.”
Tabitha swallowed hard, her voice quieter.“But she marriedhim.She took Martin from me.I didn’t take anything from her.”She’d heard the jealousy issue from the sheriff earlier, but that didn’t make it make sense.It was hard to grasp that kind of hatred.
Brant sighed.“Doesn’t matter.Some people rewrite history in their heads to justify their hate.”
There was a moment of stunned silence.
“Well,” Marianna said briskly, “she’ll face the consequences.”Then she turned to Tabitha, her eyes warm.“And you, my dear, arenotgoing anywhere.You're coming home with us.”She lifted her hands when Tabitha started to argue.“Non-negotiable,” she said with authority and kindness.“And no need to worry about the details.We'll have your things packed up and delivered.”
Ramzi grinned, lightly squeezing Tabitha.“You hear that?Royal decree.”
She turned to him with a dry smile.“Still not sure about the shrimp thing.”
He lowered his voice.“I’ll share.Sometimes.”
She rolled her eyes as if put out, but couldn’t hide her smile.“That’s true love.”
And then she curled back against him, the weight of the past few days finally lifting.She glanced over to see her mother wiping away tears and her father blinking suspiciously fast.
Everything had changed.But somehow, everything felt exactly right.
Epilogue
Tabitha turned her head slowly, taking it all in.Her breath caught.“Wow,” she whispered.
“Do you like it?”Stacy asked, smiling tentatively as they both stared in the mirror.
Stacy had gone all out—again.She’d flown to Uftar with John and, judging by the intricate swirl of curls and jeweled pins woven into Tabitha’s updo, had come armed with her full stylist arsenal.The hairstyle created a crown-like effect that sparkled with diamonds woven into the style like a tiara, but without the weight or poky things.
“I adore it!”Tabitha whispered, pulling Stacy into a tight hug.Her heart swelled.“You’re magic.”
Stacy stepped back, hands on Tabitha’s shoulders, her expression filled with concern.“Are you ready?”
Tabitha inhaled deeply, but it didn’t do much good.Her stomach fluttered with nerves and anticipation.“Ramzi kept the ceremony small…but hisentirefamily is still here.And that’s alotof people.”
“A lot ofroyalpeople,” Stacy corrected, smoothing her lemon chiffon matron-of-honor dress.“You’re about to marry a prince, literally.”
Tabitha groaned and smiled all at once.“I’m not nervous,” she lied.“I’ve met most of them.They’re really kind.”
“They’re reallypowerful,” Stacy countered, digging through her cosmetic case like she was arming herself for battle.“Niceandpowerful.Which is slightly terrifying.”
“Don’t remind me,” Tabitha mumbled, pacing toward the wardrobe.
She slipped into the gown that had been carefully designed by Marianna el Sandir and a team of palace seamstresses.The silver lace hugged her figure, refined and elegant, but not over-the-top.
As one of the palace attendants adjusted the hidden fastenings, Stacy paused.“Have you heard what happened to Leandra?”
Tabitha stilled.She had.After everything, it was still surreal.
“She’s safe,” she said quietly.“The judge ruled her mentally incompetent to stand trial.She’s in a hospital now.Getting help.”
