I called my team for an important urgent meeting, I wanted to express to them how grateful I was for their hard work, and let them know about the important presentation I was going to give."Everyone, thanks for coming in at such short notice," I said, trying to project an air of calm confidence, even though my heart was hammering against my ribs. Karim stood beside me, nodding in agreement. "We know you've all been working incredibly hard lately, and we wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude."I glanced around the room, meeting the tired but determined eyes of my marketing team. Late nights, endless brainstorming sessions, and the constant pressure to deliver – I knew they were feeling it. They deserved this acknowledgment."The effort you've put into this new partnership opportunity has been nothing short of phenomenal," I continued, my voice gaining strength. "We've seen the dedication, the creativity, and the sheer grit you've all displayed. Karim and I have
The gentle hum of the jet engines was a soothing backdrop to our conversation. London, here we come! I leaned back in my plush seat, a glass of chilled water in my hand, and glanced at Rami. He looked pleased, a small smile playing on his lips as he reviewed some documents on his tablet. Kareem, our marketing team lead, sat across from us, equally engrossed in his own device. Rami’s assistant, Sarah, was quietly taking notes, efficiently capturing every detail.“So, Dema,” Rami began, finally looking up, “I think we can all agree, this partnership is a game-changer.”I nodded, taking a sip of water. “Absolutely, Rami. The potential synergy is incredible. Their reach combined with our innovative products… it’s a perfect match.”Kareem chimed in, “From a marketing perspective, I’m particularly excited about the cross-promotional opportunities. We can tap into a whole new demographic.” He tapped his tablet screen. “I’ve already been brainstorming some initial campaign ideas. Think
My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the crisp fabric of my suit. This was it. The London meeting. Securing deals with the top hotels in the city was crucial, a make-or-break moment for our company. I smoothed down my skirt, trying to project an air of calm confidence I definitely didn't feel. Beside me, Rami, our CEO and my Husband, he was the picture of relaxed power. He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, his smile warm and encouraging. "Ready, Dema?""As I'll ever be," I managed, my voice a little shaky. I glanced at Karim, my marketing team leader. He gave me a thumbs-up, his usual easygoing demeanor a welcome contrast to the nervous energy buzzing around me. He’d prepped the presentation flawlessly, and I knew we had the data to back up our proposal. Still, these were London hotels. The big leagues.Just then, the door opened and Rami’s vice president, Mr. Harrison, strode in, followed by his assistant, Ms. Davies. Harrison nodded a curt greeting,
Rami and I were on our way back to the hotel, he's been teasing me about how nervous I was during the meeting for a good hour now."Like a phone vibration mood," Rami had said, his voice laced with amusement.I glared at him, or at least tried to. My face was probably still flushed, a mix of adrenaline and mortification. "It was my first time, Rami. Give me a break."He chuckled, a warm, rumbling sound that usually soothed me. Tonight, though, it felt like he was poking fun at a particularly flustered kitten. "Oh, come on, I'm just messing around with you, but seriously I thought you were going to pass out.""Stop, or I'll hit you," I said, but a small smile was tugging at the corners of my mouth. It was true. I'd been a mess. The presentation, which I'd practiced a thousand times in my head, had turned into a blur of stilted sentences and shaky gestures. My voice had trembled, my notes had fluttered like nervous butterflies, and I was pretty sure I'd knocked over a glass of water."S
The wind blew at my scarf, a playful tug that mirrored the excitement in my chest. Rami had insisted on the Tower of London, and honestly I was a little skeptical. Castles were a bit boring for me. But as we stood there, the grey stone behemoth rising against the London skyline, I had to admit, it was impressive."Imagine," the tour guide said, his voice a low hum beside me, "William the Conqueror. Right here. Building this. Making everyone look up and tremble before it."The tour guide, a stout man with a booming voice carried on. "Almost a thousand years, folks! A thousand years of stories, of power, of…well, a bit of the macabre." He grinned, a flash of white teeth against his ruddy complexion. "When William built this, you can bet Londoners weren't exactly throwing a welcome party. More like hiding in their boots."I shivered, even though the sun was doing its best to warm the cobblestones. The sheer age of the place pressed down, a weight of history. He told us about the Crown J
The clink of my keys hitting the ceramic dish on the hallway table felt louder than it should have. I was exhausted, the kind of bone-deep tired that seeps into your thoughts, making them sluggish. Rami was a few steps behind me, his phone already pressed to his ear. I heard the murmur of his voice, a low, familiar rumble that usually brought me comfort. Tonight, though, it felt like a distant echo.I walked into the living room, kicking off my heels and sinking into the sofa. The soft fabric swallowed my tired limbs, and I closed my eyes for a moment, just a moment, to enjoy the quiet."Yeah, habibti, of course," Rami said, his voice clearer now. I frowned, opening my eyes. Habibti? He rarely used that endearment, not on the phone anyway. I strained my ears, trying to decipher the rest of the conversation."No, no, everything's fine," he continued, a slight edge to his tone. "Just got home from London. Yeah, we'll be there."We? My stomach tightened. Who was he talking to? A knot of
The tires hummed a low, monotonous song against the smooth asphalt, a stark contrast to the chaotic symphony of emotions still ringing in my ears. Our Mansion, a monument to wealth and tradition, was receding in the rearview mirror, but the chill that had settled over me during dinner lingered, a persistent, unwelcome guest.Rami glanced at me, his brow furrowed. "You seem quiet," he said, his voice gentle. "Are you alright?""Just…tired," I mumbled, staring out the window at the blurred streetlights. It was a lie, of course. I was exhausted, but not from the drive. I was weary of the constant, unspoken tension that seemed to crackle in the air whenever I was around his mother."She didn't mean to upset you, you know," he continued, his hand reaching for mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Mom…she just worries. She's…protective.""Protective?" I echoed, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "Rami, she treats me like I'm some kind of a thief. Like I'm going to steal you away."I finally
My fingers hovered over the keyboard, the report blurring into a meaningless jumble of words. I’d read the same sentence five times, and still, nothing registered. All I could see was Rami. His smile, the way his head tilted slightly, the easy, almost… intimate, tone he used with the receptionist. It wasn’t just a casual hello. It was something else. A warmth, a spark, that made my stomach clench.I’d tried to tell myself I was imagining things. That I was just tired, stressed. But the image was burned into my retinas. I’d even scrolled through those ridiculous "Is Your Husband Cheating?" videos during a desperate bathroom break. "Look for changes in behavior," one chirped, a perky blonde flashing a knowing smile. "Sudden interest in grooming," another added, showing a montage of men applying cologne. "Or… suspicious interactions with other women."Suspicious interactions. That was it. That was exactly what I’d seen.The videos, as useless as they were, planted a seed. A terrible, inv
Dema wasn’t just my wife—she was my first real friend, the first person who truly saw me.Before her, no one had ever asked about the things that brought me joy—not out of obligation or strategy, but simple curiosity. She was the one who listened when I rambled about random historical facts, who remembered the names of my childhood pets, who laughed at my terrible jokes not because she had to, but because she genuinely found them funny. With her, I didn’t have to perform or posture. For the first time, I felt like I could just exist and that would be enough. She taught me things I never realized I was missing—small, sacred acts of love I’d never witnessed growing up. She was the first person to cook my favorite meal just because she noticed I’d had a long day. The first to show me how to hold someone’s gaze until the world fades away, how to listen not just to words but to the spaces between them. She showed me how to celebrate the details—the way someone’s nose scrunches when they
My whole life, I’ve known that people liked me—not for who I was, but for where I came from. Growing up, I attended an elite international school, the kind reserved for the children of diplomats, CEOs, and old-money heirs. It was a world of polished hallways and whispered connections, where last names carried more weight than personalities. My parents never let me forget my privilege. "You deserve only the best," they would say, as if excellence were an inheritance rather than something earned. Their words were laced with unspoken rules Only associate with those who match your status. Never lower yourself. Remember who you are.But the irony was suffocating. Even among the privileged, I was treated differently—like some kind of crown prince in a kingdom of lesser nobles. At first, I thought it was because of my family’s wealth, or maybe my father’s influence in certain circles. But the truth was far more transactional. The other children didn’t befriend me; they were assigned to me. T
After the storm of anger subsided, the crushing weight of realization settled over me. What had I done? The question echoed in my mind, relentless and suffocating. I had lost control—completely, unforgivably. And now, I had to fix it. But how? This wasn’t just anyone—this was her. My wife. The woman who had stood by me through every hardship, whose laughter had been my solace, whose touch had been my anchor. And I had struck her. A hard, unforgiving slap—one fueled by a rage I didn’t even recognize in myself. The moment my hand connected with her skin, something inside me shattered. I had never been the kind of man who concerned himself with the emotions of others. If I wronged someone, so what? If they resented me, it was their problem, not mine. I moved through life untouched, unbothered. But this… this was different. This wasn’t some stranger, some acquaintance whose feelings I could dismiss. This was the woman I loved. The other half of my soul. Why had I done it? The questi
For the longest time, I truly believed our marriage was perfect—or at least, that it should have been. I thought love was simple: give her gifts, smile at her, and she’ll be happy. I told myself that if I loved her deeply, that was enough. After all, shouldn’t love mean acceptance? Shouldn’t she love me for who I am, flaws and all? But I was wrong. Looking back, I realize now how little effort I truly put into nurturing our relationship. I took her presence for granted, assuming that as long as I cared for her in my own way, she would stay content. I didn’t see the cracks forming between us—the quiet disappointments, the unspoken frustrations. Love isn’t just about feeling; it’s about doing, about showing up every day in ways that matter to the other person. And I failed at that. One of the biggest issues between us was how I acted around other women. She tried, more than once, to tell me how much it hurt her—the way I laughed too easily at their jokes, the way my friendliness som
Dema was incredible today. She spoke with confidence, delivered her best performance, and impressed everyone at the meeting. I’ve never been prouder of her. Though I could tell she was nervous, she didn’t stutter or hesitate—not even once. Afterward, I teased her about it just to mess with her, but the truth is, she was absolutely amazing. Following the meeting, I treated everyone to dinner. It was a fun and enjoyable time, but what I really wanted was to unwind alone with my brilliant, lovely wife. So we retreated to our hotel room and spent the rest of the night together—just the two of us. "I’ll take you shopping tomorrow," I told her later, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Get you whatever you want—designer dress, shoes, a new bag. Name it, it’s yours." She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Actually, I’ve decided to stop buying top brands. I’m boycotting."I blinked. "Boycotting? Since when?" "Since I realized how much waste they produce, how they exploit wo
Dema hadn’t been sleeping well. I noticed it almost immediately—the dark circles under her eyes, the way her hands trembled slightly when she reached for her coffee in the mornings, the distant look in her gaze as if she were somewhere else entirely. It had been a full week of this, and it was eating away at her. She was exhausted, barely able to focus at work, jumping at the smallest noises. I hated seeing her like this. One morning, after catching her staring blankly at her computer screen for the third time in an hour, I pulled her aside. "Dema," I said, keeping my voice low, "if you need a break, take it. No one’s going to blame you." She hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip the way she always did when she was torn between pride and necessity. But eventually, she nodded. She went home that day, and I hoped—maybe foolishly—that rest would be enough. When I got back that evening, she was sitting on the couch, her knees pulled up to her chest, her fingers wrapped tightly around a
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