“You were faithful to Addan and knowing now what that cost you, it makes me care for you even more. There is only goodness in what you did.”
He groaned. “You are rewriting my actions…”
“No. I’m holding a mirror up and showing you that you can be proud of your conduct with Addan. You sacrificed for him. You were a good brother.”
“And a terrible husband.”
She lowered her eyes, her heart strangely light, her chest tingling. “There’s room for improvement,” she conceded, after a beat.
“Will you let me improve?”
She frowned, looking to him.
“I have had seven days to think about this, Sophia, to think about how I can fix this. And I have to say this to you. You have any option at your disposal that you would wish. Stay here in Abu Faya as my Sheikh, but never see me again, if that is your wish. Stay here in Abu Faya and divorce me, and I will ensure you never worry about anything, all your life. Go back to America; I will understand all these things. These are the options I should have presented you, that night he died, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. I wasn’t strong enough then to let you go.”
“And you are now?”
“Keeping you here and watching a part of you die because you are so miserable is not something I can do a second time.” His expression was ash. “Seeing you fade from me, these last few months, knowing myself impotent to fix it, God, Sophia, I cannot do that again. Choose what will make you happy and let me give that to you. Your happiness is all I care for now.”
So much grief flew from her and there was only relief in its place. “You want to make me happy?”
“With all my heart. I must.”
She nodded. “Fine. Then let me tell you what I want.”
And he held his breath, waiting, his expression one of pure wariness.
“Be my husband.” Her eyes bore into his. “Be my husband in every way. Talk to me, laugh with me, share your life with me. Your worries, your frustrations, your triumphs. Let me take my place at your side, as your Sheikha and as your wife. Your partner in all things. Be the parent to our children that I know you are.”
He didn’t speak. He only stared at her.
“Take me to the desert, often. Take me to those magical people, to be a part of their life and culture. Love me, Malik, without guilt, without fear. Love me completely.” She lifted up onto the tips of her toes, pressing a kiss against his lips. He groaned and deepened it, holding her right where she was, his tongue duelling with hers, the force of his relief evident in every cell of his body.
“I promise you, Sophia, all of this, and all of me.”
“And I promise you I will be happy from now on,” she said, smiling, because she knew, without even a hint of doubt, that it was absolutely true. She had everything she needed, and always would, for evermore.
THE END
The Greek’s Marriage Revenge
Prologue
Twenty years earlier
“I’m so hungry,” Helena shivered, her frail seven-year-old frame curled over like a conch shell. The rain was lashing in from every direction, but she had the most sheltered spot in the litter-strewn street. Beneath a threadbare awning, her grotty face dry, her matted hair only a little damp; it was the best Alessandro could do.
“I’m going to find you something to eat,” Alex swore with more determination than clue. “And one day, Helena, we’re going to live like Kings.”
Helena’s teeth chattered. “I-I-I’m not a boy.”
“No,” he agreed, looking from one direction to the other. The commuters were still drifting down the cobbled laneway. It was too early. Soon, though, he’d head out to the restaurant precinct and take what he could. Discarded meals, ignored wallets. Anything that would keep his little sister going. It was harder for her. She was so skinny her bones were protruding through her olive skin; he was big and strong, despite the hunger that constantly gnawed at his gut. He’d got used to it. At fourteen, he could rationalise it. He could tell himself it was temporary.
Alessandro Petrides was determined not to let homelessness, poverty or fear co
ntrol him.
He sat down beside Helena and the dirty street water soaked through his already sodden pants. “You need to think your way out of this. Imagine yourself on a tropical beach. Imagine you’re warm and dry and your belly is full of food.”