The Sheikh's Forgotten Bride - completed

Chapter Twelve

The minute Faris entered the room, he knew something was wrong. Donna was irritated and the room crackled with tension. He felt so good after the ride, and finally getting through to his sister, explaining why he had done what he had done. Not for Donna's sake, hers. He wanted her free of him to go and live her own life. Perhaps he had been too hard on her, meaning to set her free, not hurt her. He had handled it all wrong.

He crossed over and took her hand in his tightly looking deeply into her cognac eyes.

"I am the crown prince of Qalan, Faris Kazem din Sayfal al-Usama. Thirty-two years of age. I woke up four years ago in a hospital from an accident. I wish I could tell you what kind but have no idea." She placed a trembling hand on his chest, eyes shimmering as she stepped closer lips parted. "I remember most of my life apart from my time in Australia and the accident. Have no idea how it happened, why I was there," his brows went down. "There was another woman involved who died." She stiffened in front of him. No backing down. The whole truth, as far as he knew. "Princess Samira Nayla Al-Sayyid." She gasped, eyes wary. He frowned. "You know her name?" She nodded slowly. "This you know? Know what?"

She gulped. "You were betrothed. The one you were supposed to marry. You went home to cancel the wedding and marry me instead." He could see the questions in her eyes that she dared not ask him. Instead, he guided her up closer, until they were touching, wrapping her in his arms that always felt so good. This was right, closing his eyes.

"I am Donna Barrows, twenty-four years old. Born in Tassie, moved, no, correction, ran to Melbourne, and fell in love with a prince," she sighed melting against him. "Who was ripped out of my life, and forged a new one. I'm not the same person Faris. I don't need to be looked after or cared for. I need to stand on my own two feet. I loved my work."

"You were very good at what you did." He had to agree. She leaned back, pleading.

"Then let me help Caden, while you spend time with your sister. I can do some background checks."

He caressed his back, holding her tight in his arms. "I thought we meant to be connecting."

"I don't know anymore Faris."

He stilled, his heart slammed hard into his tight chest, cradling her face in his hands, making her look at him. "Do not say that. I gave you my ring. I was deadly serious if I did. One thing I know I never do anything without meaning it. Even in those days, I thought things threw before I made any decision. Mind you, you did say three months and were engaged."

"Actually about that," she eased out of his arms, holding up her hand when he tried to gather her back into them. "You need to hear this Faris. I'm sure your parents have changed it, but we were married." A deafening silence filled the room. He stood there like a statue staring blankly at you.

"When?" He got out in a tight voice.

"We came here for our honeymoon, before heading to the palace. Well, not the palace, but an apartment in the city." He cursed, raking a hand through his hair, turning his back on her.

"God this was worse than I thought. We were married?" He swung back around, hands on his hips. "You were actually in my country?"

"Yes, how else would your parents give me that cheque?"

"Sent it to you. Why didn't you just shove it back in their faces, damn them." She released a long breath. At least he wasn't angry at her. His head snapped up. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I didn't see the point. Engaged, married, it meant the same."

"No, it did not if I am to marry another."