I sat on the edge of the couch, my fingers twisting the hem of my sweater, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure it could be heard across the room. The clock on the wall ticked too slowly, each second stretching into an eternity. Where is he?I had fought for this moment—begged my mother in law not to say a word, insisted that I be the one to tell him. Somehow I had convinced her.She had given me that knowing look, the one that said she understood more than I wanted her to. But this wasn’t just about the news. It was about us. About what he had said that night, his voice so firm, so final: "I’m not ready for kids yet, Dema."The memory of those words made my stomach twist. Would he be angry? Scared? Would he look at me differently? The sound of the front door opening snapped me back to the present. My breath hitched as Rami stepped inside, his familiar frame filling the doorway. He looked tired, his work shirt slightly rumpled, but his face softened when he saw me. "I'm home," h
The house is too quiet. Too empty. The silence presses against my ears, suffocating me. Rami left this morning without a word—just like last night. No goodbye, no kiss, not even a glance in my direction. It’s like I’ve become invisible to him. I press a hand to my stomach, still flat, still holding our secret. Our baby. But is it ours if he doesn’t want it? My mind races, spiraling into the worst possibilities. What if he’s angry? What if he blames me? What if he— No. I squeeze my eyes shut, but the thought forces its way in anyway. What if he tells me to get rid of it?My throat tightens. I could never. Not unless my life depended on it. But what if that’s what he wants? What if he looks at me with disgust and says, "We’re not ready," or worse—"I don’t want this."The fear twists deeper. What if this is the end? What if he looks at me, during this pregnancy, and decides… he doesn’t want me anymore? Would he ask for a divorce?The word slices through me. Would he really leave
I stirred awake, the space beside me already cold. Blinking against the morning light, I turned my head and saw Rami buttoning his shirt, his back to me. "You're up early," I murmured, my voice still thick with sleep. He glanced over his shoulder, barely meeting my eyes. "Yeah. Got a lot to do today." I sat up, pulling the blanket around me. "What time did you get home last night?" "Late," he said, adjusting his cuff. "Didn’t want to wake you." I swallowed hard. That was the third time this week. "Rami… why are you ignoring me?" His hands stilled for a second before he reached for his jacket. "I’m not ignoring you. I’ve just been busy with work." A bitter laugh escaped me. "Do you really think I’m stupid?" He finally turned to face me, his expression guarded. "Dema—" "No," I cut him off, my voice sharp. "I know what’s going on. Ever since I told you I was pregnant, you’ve been pulling away. Don’t lie to me." His jaw tightened. "It’s got nothing to do with that."
I took a deep breath, trying to push away all the stress, all the noise in my head. Right now, the only thing that mattered was the little life growing inside me. My baby. My fingers brushed over my stomach, still flat, still unchanged—but I knew. In there, something precious was beginning. My mother-in-law had insisted on taking me to the doctor today. She fussed over me like I was made of glass, her grip firm on my arm as we walked into the clinic. The doctor was kind, reassuring. "She's four weeks along. Good health. No problems so far." The words should have comforted me, and they did—mostly. But there was still that tiny, nagging fear, the one I refused to let take root. "Just keep coming for check-ups," the doctor had said. "Everything looks fine but we need to keep an eye on her."On the way home, my mother-in-law turned to me with that smile—the one that wasn’t really a request. "I’d love to have you over for lunch,"she said. "I’ll cook something special for you and the b
The invitation was sent to me this morning. Family dinner at Auntie’s. I picked it up, my fingers tightening around the edge. Rami’s aunt was hosting—again—this time to celebrate her husband’s return from Haj. A noble reason, sure. But I knew better. Family gatherings were never just gatherings. They were battlegrounds disguised in elaborate dishes and sweetened with dessert. The aunties would be there, perched on the sofas like judges, their eyes sharp, their tongues sharper. And now? Now that I was pregnant? Oh, they wouldn’t spare me. I sighed, pressing a hand to my stomach. You have no idea what you’re in for, my little one. Rami walked in, grinning. "Auntie called. She’s making your favorite maqluba." I shot him a look. "She’s buttering me up. That means she’s planning something." He laughed, kissing my forehead. "You’re paranoid. It’s just dinner." Just dinner! Famous last words. The moment we stepped into Auntie’s house, the assault began. "Dema, habibti! Look a
The weekend had been slow and lazy until Rami, out of nowhere, decided to be a good husband—his words, not mine—and announced we were going out. No warning, just that smirk of his, the one that always makes my stomach flip. “A museum?” I raised an eyebrow as we walked through the grand entrance, the cool air brushing against my skin. “Since when do you plan dates?” He shrugged, all casual confidence. “Since I realized my wife deserves more than just my charming presence on the couch.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the smile tugging at my lips. Then—of course—Rami had to show off. The moment we stepped into the history exhibit, he transformed into a walking encyclopedia, pointing at artifacts like he’d personally excavated them. His voice dropped into that lecture tone, the one he uses when he’s trying to sound scholarly but can’t hide the excitement underneath. “See this?” He gestured to an ancient tablet, his fingers barely grazing the glass. “This is from the Neo-Ass
Four months have passed, and the nursery is almost ready—soft yellow walls, tiny clothes folded neatly in the drawers, and a bassinet waiting for our little one. Rami and I sit on the couch, a baby name book spread across my lap. His arm is draped over my shoulder, his fingers absently tracing circles on my skin. "Malik is strong," he says, pointing at the name. "But Leen… that’s beautiful too." I smile, leaning into him. "We still have time to decide, besides, we don't know whether it's a boy or a girl." He sighs, shifting slightly. "Dema… I’ve been thinking." His voice is quieter now, serious. "I want to make more time for you. For the baby. I’ve been spending time at work too much during our marriage, and I stay out too late… that's going to change now." My chest tightens—hope, relief, disbelief all tangled together. "That’s… great news, Rami." He turns to me, eyes earnest. "I mean it. I promise—I’m going to be a good husband. A good father." The words are sweet, but I’
The mall was buzzing with energy, the kind that usually overwhelmed me, but today, it felt different. Today, every pastel-colored onesie, every tiny pair of socks, every frilly little dress made my heart swell. I’m having a girl. The thought still sent shivers of joy down my spine. Dalia held up a miniature sunhat with a giggle. “Look at this! She’s going to be the most stylish baby in the city.” Tala, ever the practical one, nudged me toward a rack of soft cotton bodysuits. “You need basics too, habibti. She’ll live in these.” I ran my fingers over the tiny fabric, imagining my daughter—my daughter*—wearing them. It still didn’t feel real. After everything, after all the fear and uncertainty, here I was, surrounded by love, preparing for her. “We should start planning the baby shower,” Dalia said, already scrolling through her phone. “Think pink and gold? Or more floral?” I laughed, shaking my head. “As long as there’s good food, I don’t care.” Tala smirked. “Spoken like
The first time I said "I love you" to her was during our honeymoon. We were in a café by the beach when it started raining, and in that moment, everything felt magical—the most magical moment of my life. The words came out so spontaneously, so naturally, as if they’d been waiting forever to be said. I never knew love could be this easy. If I had, I would’ve searched the whole earth to find it. But I suppose I’m the luckiest man in the world—love didn’t make me chase it; it simply walked into my life, it walked in my company in jeans, and I didn’t have to suffer to have it.The first time I saw her sick, she looked so vulnerable—adorable, like a little kitten. I didn’t want to leave her side, but I had work the next day, so I slept in another room. Later, I realized how much it hurt her. I wish she had slapped me, knocked some sense into me back then. I was selfish. No—I’ve always been selfish.I take what I want and turn away, never learning to truly consider others. Growing up, t
Before we boarded the plane to the Maldives, I knew I had to do something—something to show Dema that this wasn’t just a contract anymore. That she wasn’t just an arrangement to me. Not after everything we’d been through. Our wedding had been traditional, simple. No rings, no grand declarations—just signatures and obligations. Back then, I hadn’t thought much of it. But now? Now, the thought of her not wearing my ring, not having something that screamed mine in the way my heart had already claimed her, felt wrong. So I went to the most exclusive jeweler in the city. I didn’t just want a ring—I wanted the right ring. The one that would make her breath catch, the one that would make her eyes light up the way they did when she was genuinely happy. The saleswoman showed me countless designs, but the moment I saw it—a stunning, elegant piece with a diamond that caught the light like fire—I knew. This was Dema’s ring.I imagined sliding it onto her finger, the weight of it against her s
It was August fifth.We had our first real fight—not just an argument, but a heated clash where we said ugly things to each other. I know I hurt her feelings, and I owed her an apology. I made sure to make that right. Looking back, I’m still not entirely sure what started it. The fight happened two days after a barbecue at my uncle’s house with my family. Most of the party, I was with my cousins, laughing and catching up. I assumed she was having a good time too, chatting with my mom and aunts—but apparently, she wasn’t. When we got home, she told me one of my cousins had been rude to her, even making mean comments, and that my mom hadn’t been kind either. At the time, I hadn’t noticed anything wrong. I told her they didn’t mean any harm, that she might be overreacting—but I realize now how that must have sounded. I was trying to lighten the mood, not dismiss her feelings. I took her out, hoping to distract her, but it didn’t work. Frustrated, I lost my patience and called her a
The transformation in Dema over those few months was nothing short of astonishing. It wasn’t just her appearance—though that alone was enough to leave me speechless sometimes. Her clothing, once simple and practical, had shifted into something elegant, refined, as if she had always belonged in that world of sophistication. Her hair, always perfectly styled, framed her glowing face like a portrait. But more than that, it was the way she carried herself—her voice, steady and sure, her words deliberate and wise. She wasn’t just playing a part; she had grown into a woman who commanded respect without even trying. No matter the situation, I knew I could rely on her. Business meetings, family gatherings—it didn’t matter. She handled everything with a grace that seemed effortless, as if she had been born for it. Work came naturally to her; she had a sharp mind, a talent for reading people and situations that I admired. But the one thing that ever seemed to shake her was my family—especiall
The first week of our marriage was… overwhelming—for both of us, but especially for her. I could see it in the way her shoulders tensed whenever my mother or aunties gave her another task, another expectation to meet. They weren’t making it easy for her, and I knew it. Tradition was one thing, but the way they scrutinized her every move, as if testing her worth, made me feel sorry for her. Still, she never complained. She just kept trying. Then there were the events—gatherings where the women floated around in designer gowns, their jewelry glinting under the chandeliers like it was part of their skin. She stood among them, beautiful but uncertain, her fingers twisting the fabric of her dress—something simple, something not a top brand. I caught the way the others glanced at her, the subtle arch of their brows, and it burned something inside me. Not because I cared about their approval, but because she did. And damn, did she learn fast. Every day, she absorbed something new—how to
When we arrived at my parents' mansion, the grand entrance we made was everything I had expected—flashing cameras, exaggerated cheers, and the heavy weight of judgmental eyes following our every move. The party was already in full swing, the air thick with expensive perfume and roses. To my surprise, Dema handled it all flawlessly. She smiled at the right moments, greeted my relatives with just the right amount of polite warmth, and even managed to charm my notoriously hard-to-please uncle. I watched her from the corner of my eye, half-expecting her to falter, to show even a hint of discomfort—but she didn’t. Then, as if sensing my thoughts, she leaned in slightly, her voice low enough that only I could hear. "They're starting to doubt us," she murmured, her lips barely moving. "Your relatives has been staring at us for the past five minutes. We need to do something."I glanced over and sure enough, my relatives were watching us like hawks, their sharp eyes flickering between
The moment I pushed open the door and stepped inside, my breath caught in my throat. There she was—Dema—standing by the window, the fading sunlight painting her in gold. The delicate embroidery on her dress shimmered, and the way her fingers lightly traced the edge of her dress, my chest tighten. She looked… breathtaking. Ethereal, even. Like something out of a dream I hadn’t dared to have. For a second, I just stood there, frozen. Words piled up in my mind—You’re stunning. You’re perfect. I don’t deserve this, deserve you. But my tongue felt heavy, my usual confidence slipping. This wasn’t just another negotiation, another deal. This was her. And the way she held herself, so still, so distant—something was wrong. I swallowed hard, forcing myself forward. Now wasn’t the time for poetry. The guests were outside, waiting. The contracts were signed. The alliance was set. “Dema,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “What are you doing? We don’t have time for second thoughts. Everyone’s
Today is my wedding day. Not the kind I ever imagined, but the kind I needed. I’ve tried before—I tried to get in a real relationship, and I put so much effort but nothing ever lasted. Either they wanted too much , or the time I had was too little. The press twisted every failure into another scandal, another reason to paint me as the heartless billionaire who couldn’t commit. And the board? They’ve been breathing down my neck for years. "Stability, Rami. Investors need to see stability, and the rumors are hurting the company." Well, now they all will finally shut up. I called my lawyer first thing this morning. There was no room for error. "Draw up the agreement," I told him. "We will get married for only one year. Clean divorce. She'll get four million in the end, and I'll get full confidentiality." He didn’t ask questions—he knows better. By noon, the documents were signed, sealed, and sitting on my desk. A business transaction, nothing more. Then, I called her. My secreta
Today, my new secretary impressed me. She organized my entire week’s schedule—flawlessly. Every meeting, every call, every deadline was precisely laid out. No mistakes, no overlaps. Finally, someone who actually pays attention to detail. I’ve noticed other improvements too. Her wardrobe, for one. When she first started, her clothes were… questionable. But now she wears proper formal attire. Neat, professional. And her skin—those acne scars have faded. Probably splurged on some decent skincare with her first paycheck. Smart move. She was so quiet at first. Barely spoke unless I asked her something, and even then, her answers were clipped. But lately, she’s been different. Asking questions. Offering suggestions. Not just blindly following orders. My assistant was right—hiring her is a good choice. After today’s meeting, she brought me my usual coffee—black, one sugar, just how I like it—then slipped back to her desk without a word. I scrolled through my phone, and there they were