Fickle

Chapter 60

As the days passed, Kulthum found herself oscillating between hope and hesitation. The news of Abdullah’s return to Minnesota had been met with a mix of emotions. The man she had once shared everything with—the man who had walked away from her and their children—was coming back.

But after so many years of emotional isolation, Kulthum couldn’t simply slip back into the life they had once built. The pain, the betrayals, the unresolved conflict, and the deep fissures in their relationship couldn’t be erased just by his return. She had built a life for herself and the twins, one that was independent and strong. Would she be willing to unravel that?

She sat in the quiet of her office, her fingers tapping restlessly on the surface of her desk. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of memories—both good and bad. The first time she met Abdullah, the early days of their marriage when everything felt like it was meant to be, and then the devastating years when he had left, believing their children weren’t his, when he had taken the royal responsibilities as his sole focus. Could she forgive him? Could she trust him again?

In the quiet, her phone buzzed. A message from Alia.

"How are you holding up? I know it’s been a whirlwind, but remember to take a deep breath. He’s coming home for you, for the family. Don’t let fear be the barrier between you and what could be."

Kulthum read the message, feeling the weight of her friend’s words. Alia had always been a rock for her, the voice of reason during her most tumultuous moments. But this was different. This wasn’t just about reconciling a business deal or fixing a friendship. This was about healing a heart that had been fractured by years of absence and lies.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. It was Jenna, the mischievous spark in her eye, always able to lift Kulthum’s spirits with her energy.

“Mom, I can feel it,” Jenna said, skipping over to her. “You’re nervous about Daddy coming home, aren’t you?”

Kulthum chuckled, brushing a hand through Jenna’s hair. “A little, yes. It’s been a long time.”

“You don’t have to worry,” Jenna said confidently, her voice soft but sure. “Daddy’s coming home to us. And everything will be okay, I promise.”

Kulthum pulled her daughter into a tight hug, holding onto her for a moment longer than usual. In Jenna’s embrace, Kulthum felt a tiny glimmer of reassurance. Maybe Jenna was right. Maybe the future was not as daunting as she had built it up to be. It wasn’t about forgetting the past—it was about taking the first step toward healing.

But then her thoughts turned to Hudayfah. He had never really embraced Abdullah. His reserved, cautious nature made it harder for him to accept the changes in their lives. Kulthum wasn’t sure how he would react to Abdullah’s return, or whether his walls would stay up, keeping the connection between father and son at arm’s length.

Kulthum glanced at the clock. Soon, Abdullah would arrive. She had planned to pick him up at the airport herself, but a part of her wasn’t sure she was ready for that. What if his arrival only reopened the wounds she had worked so hard to close?

But another part of her—the part that longed for resolution, for closure—knew that she couldn’t keep running from him. This wasn’t just about her. It was about their children. It was about their family. And no matter how difficult it might be, Kulthum understood that if they were to have any chance at healing, they needed to face this head-on. 

The day Abdullah was set to land in Minnesota, the atmosphere in the house was tense. Kulthum’s heart raced as she prepared herself, mentally and emotionally. She couldn’t ignore the years of pain, but she couldn’t dismiss the love that had once bound them together either.