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I decided to call my sister back.

She answers on the first ring. “Nas.”

“I have decided not to ask Mariam about the children, I need you to remain quiet as nothing has changed. I need to stay in the background and watch Dad, I have no doubt he will try to eliminate Mariam and the children if he knows she’s in town and could influence me.”

“Okay, but do you think he would harm his grandchildren.”

“I have no doubt he will hesitate to eliminate them.” The thought of anyone harming my children is already a stab to my heart. “Because he sees them as an enemy that stands in the way of him getting the power he’s yearned for, right now he feels that he’s close to having that power, anything or anyone that stands in the way of that power is just collateral damage. I can’t gamble with Jade and my children. I need you to remain quiet as before, act like nothing has changed.”

“Okay, I can do that, but it saddens me to think Dad will do that.”

“You have no idea how ruthless he can be. Just don’t forget the promise you made to Mariam.”

“I won’t”

“Do you know where the twins are? I need to arrange protection for them without anyone knowing.”

“They’re staying at Mariam’s place, but she may have moved them close to her dad when she was leaving. She said they are too young to be alone with just the nanny and no family. I know her mom also lives close by, but I don’t know exactly where they are and believe me if I ask her. Her senses will be up, she’s a mama bear when it comes to the children.”

“Okay, don’t ask her. I’ll find out on my own.”

“Do you need me to do anything else?”

“No, just stay the same, like nothing changed.”

“Consider it done.”

“Naseer, they are happy children and love their mother dearly.”

“I need them to stay that way, talk later Mani. “

“Bye, Nas”

I called my mom and informed her I’ll stop by for dinner tonight. I know she will tell Dad. All I need now is my game face. I called Raheem and arranged for him to close the business that I was attending to before I had to race back, thinking about it now. It was a good thing I came back.

Next, I need to deal with Jade and the way she keeps fighting me. My dad doesn’t know she’s in Rhanaz. I need to know all that he knows tonight.

I texted the guard. Me: what is she doing

Guard: Nothing, just staring at the water. It’s crowded here today. A company is launching a beverage drink.

Me: Make sure you don’t lose sight of her.

Guard: Noted.

Last night on my flight, I had every intention of knocking Ken’s teeth out. I’d called Jade several times and she won’t take my calls. So, I called her driver asking where she was, he told me that she’d gone out to dinner every evening with Mr Ken. I asked Raheem to oversee the matters in London for me and got on the plane for the six-hour flight to put an end to the dinner date ritual.

When I landed this morning, I called Jade’s office and was surprised when Lucy told me Jade wasn’t in, which is unusual for her. I headed straight to her place to have a word with her about her dinner activity only I found her hungover on her sofa.

When I tried to wake her, she’d gotten up and raced to the bathroom to puke. I carried her to her bed.

“Gent, my head hurts, I drank too much last night,” was all she said to me. I’d gone to get painkillers for her, I had her take them, and cover her up to sleep. She was a mess. Jade and alcohol are not a good mix. Her 21st birthday party with her friend reminds me of that fact.

My need to teach Ken a lesson grew but I wasn’t expecting the bomb Ken dropped on my lap.

I’m now torn on how to protect my wife and children from my father.

I called Rilwan to come over to my place right away, we need to talk. I’m relieved that Rilwan wasn’t the one spooking Jade, a betrayal from him would have hurt more. The king had requested Rilwan’s service. He’d returned while I stayed back to resolve issues with Radek and a replacement bodyguard.