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Chapter 107
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MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 108
Around seven that same morning, Layla emerged from the shower, wrapped a fleecy towel around her nakedness, and wondered ruefully where her cases were. Their frantic charge to the bedroom the night before had left no time for such niceties as unpacking.Her face burned and she glanced in one of the many mirrors, angry and ashamed of herself because she was still acting out of character and letting her life go off the rails. One mistake did not need to lead to another, so why had she slept with Lucas again last night?Her waking up in bed alone in the silent apartment with her brain awash with unfamiliar thoughts of self-loathing had unnerved her. She had decided miserably that Lucas was bad for her.She crept out to the hall where her luggage still awaited her, and she was about to lift a case when she heard a sound from another room and stiffened uncertainly.‘Layla...is that you?’It was too late to retreat with any dignity, but the discovery that Lucas was still in the apartment an
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 109
Lucas shocked himself by wanting to shout back at her. He wanted her to do what he told her to do, which was, after all, what ninety-nine per cent of the people in his life invariably did. Consequently, he very rarely, if ever, raised his voice.He was proud of his self-control, but then he had always avoided emotional scenes, swiftly ditching women who specialized in them. Of course, he had been raised by the ultimate of scene-throwers: his mother, whom he recalled staging dramatic walkouts, outrageous suicide threats, and sobbing herself into hysterics.You have to have peace and quiet to continue your studies and decide what to do next. I’m trying not to interfere with that. If you weren’t pregnant, you wouldn’t be in this situation now. I only want what’s best for you and the baby.’And the easiest thing for you to give is money,’ Layla completed with reluctant comprehension, her troubled green eyes scanning the opulence of the furnishings and a view of the City of California that
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 110
Like an accident victim, Layla was frozen in place, her face as pale as milk, her eyes wide with consternation, and haunted by too many powerful reactions to enumerate. Layla was experiencing a wide range of emotions, including anger, mortification, guilt, and pain on multiple levels. Lucas had lied to her. Lucas had pretended to be single and unattached, and an engaged man on the brink of his wedding was anything but unattached. He had been engaged for three years. That was not a recent or casual commitment."If Lucas had told me he was engaged, this wouldn’t have happened because I would never have been with him in the first place," Layla framed with desperate dignity. I’m genuinely sorry that anything I have done has upset you and that this situation is affecting you as well, but there is no way I would accept money from you.’I’ve known Lucas all his life. He had a horrendous childhood and, because of that, he will never turn his back on his own child, "Beverly informed her griml
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 111
‘Beverly told me she’d come to see you.’ His beautiful, shapely lips compressed, a muscle pulling tight at the corner of his unsmiling mouth. "She shouldn’t have done that."Oh, I don’t know,’ Layla fielded in a tremulous drive that mortified her, frankly bemused by a relationship that crossed the expected boundaries. It was inconceivable to her that Beverly would’ve told Lucas she had been to see Layla. ‘Considering the way you’ve behaved, I thought she was remarkably restrained in what she had to say.’My relationship with Beverly is not as straightforward as you probably assume it is. Nor does what it entailed matter now because I broke off our engagement earlier today.’ Lucas studied her with screened intensity, expecting an immediate lessening of the tension in the atmosphere.Layla refused to react in any way because that announcement did not lessen her sense of betrayal in the slightest. She condemned him quietly and simply."Let’s move this out of the hall and talk like grown-
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 112
Lucas could literally feel himself freezing into an ice pillar while still wanting to strangle her into silence. Did he deserve such a character assassination? Well, so much for the winning power of a marriage proposal and a rich and powerful husband!But offended and infuriated as he was by Layla and the awareness that he had seriously underestimated her temper, he was more fixated on where she planned to go when she appeared to have neither money nor any suitable friends or family to live with. Recognizing that Layla needed to cool off before he could even hope to reason with her, he reached into his wallet to withdraw a card and extended it.I own the hotel. It’s small and discreet, and you only need to show the card at reception to be accommodated. My driver will take you there...In the grip of frantic thought and the blistering emotional turmoil that their encounter had provoked, Layla accepted the card. She had to go somewhere, and she had no place else to think. She wretchedly
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 113
It was a bittersweet moment for Layla, hearing herself described as part of the family for the very first time, but she was thoroughly disconcerted by the genuine apprehension she could see in Madison’s anxious face. "You’re seriously worried about that risk?"Of course I am. For the sake of your family, Mr Jack has a reputation for being tough, ruthless, and unforgiving, and I'm asking you to work things out with him.Layla realized why she was being temporarily promoted to family status and almost laughed. "Madison, Lucas hasn’t ever mentioned either you or Damian."Unimpressed, Madison curled her lip. ‘We looked after you when you were a child, Layla. Now I expect you to look after us and ensure that there is no reason for Lucas Jack to sack your uncle from his job or withdraw business from my legal firm. After all, it’s your fault that I was brusque with him. I know I offended him, but he arrived in the middle of a family crisis... Make sure he understands that.’Layla was astonis
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 114
I beg your pardon? "I think you heard me, Layla. If you do what I want and marry me, I will promise not to interfere with your uncle and aunt’s continuing employment.’Layla turned white before his shrewd, hard gaze. You can’t mean that, not that you would seriously threaten their livelihoods just because I’m not doing what you want?"I mean it," Lucas asserted with fierce emphasis. I’ve run out of patience. I want to marry you, and I want that child you’re carrying. So, think very carefully about what you decide to do next.’But that’s complete blackmail!’ Layla shot back at him, trembling like a leaf in shock and barely able to process what he was saying.I never pretended to be a knight on a white horse, Layla. You and that baby are mine, and the sooner you acknowledge that, the happier we will all be.’I don’t belong to anyone. Layla argued through gritted teeth, battling a terrifying sense of panic as hard as she could because Lucas had just trashed the faith she hadn’t known sh
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 115
Lucas studied Layla as she joined him for breakfast, her face blank, her eyes uninformative. He reckoned she would make a good poker player, and the challenge of that talent in a potential wife amused him. "Well?" he prompted grimly, still annoyed that she had forced him to wait for her answer.Layla sipped at her tea, wishing that Lucas didn’t look quite so amazing first thing in the morning when she felt washed out and weary. There he was with his dark golden eyes alive with potent leaping energy, his blue-black hair still damp from the shower and his hard jawline close shaven. He wore yet another one of those remarkably well-tailored suits that beautifully defined his lean, muscular build. I’ll say yes because you really haven’t given me a choice.’Lucas declared, steadily pouring himself a cup of fragrant coffee, determined not to react in any way to her surrender. People don’t always make the right choice. Sometimes they need a little push in the relevant direction.’"This was mo
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MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 440
He moved suddenly, turned to her, and gripped her arms; she glimpsed the desperation in his eyes as he dragged her against his chest. "I will do whatever it takes to win you back, Kalila." "You are my wife, the love of my life, and I won’t let you go." His warm breath fanning the curls that framed her face, he pressed his lips to her temple, his eyes briefly closing as if in pain."I have told my father to name his brother Sulim as the interim ruler of Qubbah in the event of his dying before Hazem comes of age." Kate stared at him, shocked beyond words. "But... but why?" she finally stumbled.I thought that you were to rule until Hazem was older. "You are the King’s only son, and it is your duty." Ahsan shook his head. "My first duty is to my wife, and my father agrees." Even if he did not, I would still be here for you."Don't you understand, Kalila?" he asked urgently. "You are more important to me than Qubbah, my father, everything." You, me, and Hazem are a family, and the only thin
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 439
The still silence in the garden that followed his astounding statement was broken by the piercingly sweet song of a blackbird. Kate licked her suddenly dry lips, her heart beating so fast she was sure it would explode. "I don’t understand.""It’s quite simple." He sounded impatient and stared at her haughtily. But to her amazement, streaks of dull color highlighted his cheekbones, and his eyes veered from hers as if he were afraid to meet her gaze. "I love you, Kate."Her rebuttal was fierce and immediate. "No, you don’t.""I should have known you would want to argue about it, Kalila." A little of his tension left him, and his smile stole her breath."You don’t love me," she said again. It was probably some cruel trick, and she had more sense than to be fooled. "You married me for Hazem." You love Farrah. Malika said so.Malika said a lot of things, most of them untrue. Ahsan’s voice was suddenly harsh."But not the things she said about me," Kate said thickly. "My mother was a prosti
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 438
The blue sky was dotted with cotton wool clouds, and the warm breeze carried a scent of lavender and old-fashioned roses. There was no place on earth more beautiful than Ingledean on a spring day, Kate mused—except an oasis in the middle of the desert, where palm trees provided shade from the scorching sun and an azure pool glinted beneath a cloudless sky.She had been home for a month—although Ingledean no longer felt like home without Hazem. The image of his huge brown eyes and impish smile caused the familiar agonizing pain in her chest, and she bit down hard on her lip, tasted blood, and cursed the tears that slid unchecked down her face. She couldn’t cry forever. Somehow she was going to have to find the strength to move on, pick up the threads of her life, or maybe make a new one, far away from Ingledean and all its memories. But since she had left Qubbah, a terrible lassitude had settled on her, and she could not plan anything when the only two people she loved were far away on
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 437
In less than an hour, she was expected to attend the lavish dinner organized in honor of King Kabir’s recovery and his return as supreme ruler of Qubbah. And somehow she was going to have to do so without revealing that she was breaking up inside, which Kate acknowledged despairingly as she stared in the mirror at her paper-white face and red-rimmed eyes.When she first returned to the palace after her explosive confrontation with Malika, she locked herself in her dressing room and recalled, in stunned disbelief, everything the young Arab woman had told her. Could it be true? Had Ahsan always intended to divorce her once he’d gained custody of Hazem and marry his beautiful advisor?She did not know how long she’d sat there, but eventually her maid had knocked on the door and reminded her that it was time to prepare for the banquet. She should have made the excuse that she was ill—no one who saw her pallor would fail to believe her. But the steely backbone of pride that had seen her th
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 436
Despite the warmth of the early-evening sunshine, Kate shivered. "You’re talking nonsense," she said firmly, striving to sound confident despite the sudden lurch of her heart. She was perfectly aware of why Ahsan had married her, but he had given no hint that he wanted a divorce. Ahsan told me he was never engaged to you. She lifted her chin and glared at Malika, trying to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach."He wasn’t," Malika agreed, looking surprised. "I was engaged to Farhan; Ahsan was engaged to Farrah."The world seemed to tilt alarmingly for a few seconds, and Kate actually gripped the edge of the wall for support. Ahsan and Farrah! It couldn’t possibly be true, could it? "Jamila told me that Ahsan was in love with his fiancée," she said faintly. "She doesn’t know why the marriage didn’t take place."Malika gave a careless shrug. ‘Jamila knows. Everyone at the palace knows that Ahsan adored Farrah and that she eloped with his brother on the eve of their wedding.
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 435
He was suddenly aware that the children had finished their dance and everyone was waiting for his response. Kate had turned her head to him, frowning at his inattention, and he quickly clapped his hands in applause. Once the dancers had filed out of the marquee, his personal assistant Zaid appeared at his side and informed him that a group of local potters had brought their best work for his gracious inspection. Stifling a sigh, he led the royal party out into the blazing sunshine.The garden party continued all afternoon, and Ahsan was not in the best of moods when he strode back to the palace. He suddenly realized that he was too far ahead and slowed his pace, waiting for Kate to catch up with him. He frowned when he noted how pale she looked beneath her wide-brimmed hat. She made no attempt to speed up, and the dejected droop of her shoulders fueled his impatience."I appreciate that an afternoon spent admiring traditional crafts and customs is not likely to top your list of exciti
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 434
Her feet briefly touched the floor, and he spun her around, tugged her zip down her spine, and removed her dress before she had time to catch her breath. Her bra went the same way before he lifted her again and threw her onto the bed as if she were a rag doll, his eyes glittering with a mixture of anger and sexual hunger that made Kate’s stomach dip."At night, I’m happy to give you all the attention you could possibly want," he growled, his shoes, trousers, and shirt hitting the floor with barely controlled savagery until he stood in his silk boxers. "This is the only bed you’ll ever sleep in." The boxers joined the rest of his clothes, revealing his powerful, unashamedly aroused body in all its glory. "But I wouldn’t bank on sleeping for many hours yet."Kate stared up at him, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she struggled to control the wild excitement that was pounding through her veins. She was conscious that she was wearing nothing but a pair of tiny lace pants and the pric
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 433
Clearly embarrassed, Aaliyah determinedly changed the subject to Hazem and how fast he was growing. But although Kate smiled and made token conversation, her mind was whirling. If Malika’s family had expected her to marry Ahsan, was she the woman he had been engaged to years ago—the woman Jamila had said he had loved? But, if so, why had they not married? It didn’t make sense, and she brooded miserably as she stared at Ahsan. He was smiling at Malika and clearly enjoying her company. Perhaps they had argued and broken off their engagement. Was he now regretting his lost chance to marry a beautiful, clever Arab girl who would have made him the perfect wife?From that moment on, the party became a blur of faces and stilted conversation with people she had never met before. She was sure they viewed her as an oddity, with her pale skin and vivid hair—and her glaring lack of sophistication. But until his father had recovered, Ahsan was king, and one of her wifely duties outside of the bedr
MARRYING MY BEST FRIEND'S FIANCEE Chapter 432
As Ahsan had predicted, his team of advisors was waiting for him when they arrived back at the palace. Even on the journey across the desert, he’d had his mobile phone clamped to his ear, and Kate had sat silently beside him, lost in her thoughts. The honeymoon was over, and he had made it abundantly clear that he now saw her role as his wife as a walk-on part—or perhaps a lie-down part, she thought bitterly. But what had she expected? She had married him for Hazem, and he had married her for sex, and they had each gotten what they wanted.At least she had Hazem, she told herself later that evening, when she tucked the toddler into bed. She had missed him desperately, and his evident delight that she was back was a comforting balm to her raw emotions. She was Ahsan’s wife, a member of the Royal Family of Qubbah, and no one could ever take him away from her now.But as she prepared for the state banquet, her insecurities returned, and she felt sick with nerves. She had been horrified w
