ECHOES OF DEFIANCE

chapter 25

Zain drove us home in silence. My heart was heavy, and I couldn’t bring myself to say a word. The events of the evening replayed in my mind, each moment tugging at my emotions. As soon as we pulled up to the house, I got out of the car without a glance in his direction, my steps quick as I headed toward the entrance. I heard Zain call out, and before I could reach the door, he ran to me, grabbing my hand with a firm but gentle grip.

“Baby, please, let me explain,” he pleaded, his voice soft and full of worry.

I turned to face him, the hurt clear in my eyes. “You don’t have to explain anything, Zain. This is exactly why I was hesitant when I found out who you were—what your life entails.” My voice cracked as I struggled to hold back the tears threatening to spill. “I never wanted any of this. All I wanted was a simple life, free from all this drama. I love you, Zain, and that means accepting who you are. I’ve already come to terms with that. But I won’t stand for another woman, in front of everyone, claiming my husband as if I don’t exist.” The tears finally broke free, rolling down my cheeks as I turned and walked inside.

Zain quickly followed, his footsteps matching mine. “She’s a Saudi-Moroccan princess,” he began, his voice filled with urgency as he tried to explain. “Her family thinks they can force the Qatari royal family into making me marry her because of the past… because of what happened with my dad. But there’s no official statement. She’s three years older than me, and Qatar hasn’t even responded. My father refused to go back to Qatar, and they don’t want to provoke him any further.”

He stepped closer, his tone becoming more desperate as he continued. “Her request has been sitting there for four years, and I’ve ignored it. Please, baby, don’t let someone like Asma come between us. I’ve had more than 15 proposals, and yet I chose you. I *proposed* to you. You’re the only one I want, and I’m yours—completely and only yours.”

I stood there, still sobbing, my back turned to him, not trusting myself to speak just yet. He gently pulled me into his arms, holding me close as his hand rubbed soothing circles on my back. His embrace was warm, comforting, but it wasn’t enough to stop the tears.

“They made my wife cry,” Zain whispered angrily, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “I’m calling my dad. I’ll have him officially reject them and any other princess. No one will come between us.”

I rested my head on his chest, still crying, my tears soaking into his shirt as he held me tightly. His arms wrapped around me, as if he could protect me from everything with just his touch. But the hurt lingered.

“Why are you still crying, baby?” he asked softly, his hand brushing away the tears on my cheeks. “Please, tell me. Wallahi, I’ve never admired any girl other than you.”

I sniffled, pulling away just enough to look up at him. “It’s just… you still talked to her. You knew what she wanted from you, and you still let her approach us,” I said, my voice trembling as I tried to put into words the jealousy and hurt swirling inside me.

Zain looked down at me, a small smile playing on his lips despite the tension in the air. “Is that a pout I see?” he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

I gave him another pout, turning away quickly, but he wasn’t about to let me go. “Oh no, you’re not getting away that easily,” he laughed, chasing after me as I bolted toward the bedroom.

Before I could reach the door, Zain caught up to me, his arms wrapping around my waist as he spun me around and pinned me gently to the wall. His eyes darkened with desire, and without a word, he pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was hungry, fierce, as if he needed to prove with every touch that I was the only woman in his world.

I melted into him, my hands tangling in his hair as he deepened the kiss, his body pressing closer to mine. His lips moved with a desperation that made my heart race, his hands sliding down my back, pulling me even closer. It was like he couldn’t get enough of me, and I didn’t want him to stop. All the jealousy, the hurt—it faded away in the intensity of the moment.

Zain pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, his forehead resting against mine. “I love you, only you,” he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. “No one else matters. Do you hear me?”

I nodded, my breathing heavy as I stared up at him. “I love you too, Zain.”

He smiled, brushing his thumb across my lips before leaning in for another kiss, this one slow and sweet, a promise that no one could come between us. In that moment, everything else disappeared—there was only him, and me, and the undeniable connection we shared.

And nothing could break that.