Chapter 30
Tabitha hesitated in the hallway, staring into the hospital room full of people.
Ramzi’s mother looked like she’d stepped out of a fashion magazine—poised, polished, and intimidatingly gorgeous.
His father and younger brother were no less commanding, and there were even more bodyguards now, along with a few sharply dressed individuals she couldn’t identify.
She bit her lip, unsure. Maybe she should wait. Ramzi had finally convinced her to go home and shower, to change out of the wrinkled, bloodstained dress from the wedding and get some rest. She’d done the first part. But instead of sleeping, she’d gone to the police station to find answers.
Sheriff Tom had shaken his head in disbelief. “No idea what got into that woman,” he’d told her. “All she kept saying was that she hated you—and hated that you had everything she thought should’ve been hers.”
Tabitha had stared at him. “But… she married Martin.”
The sheriff shrugged. “Apparently she wanted your job. And your new guy, too.”
She didn’t know what to make of that. Leandra had always seemed off, but not knife-wielding off.
Now, standing just outside Ramzi’s room, she second-guessed whether she belonged in there at all.
Then she heard it.
“Tabitha!” Ramzi’s voice rang out.
He’d seen her.
She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped into the room. It felt like walking into an international summit, only with more bodyguards.
This wasn’t unlike her first time leading a negotiation. She’d been scared then, too—but she’d gotten through it. She could do this.
Except Sheik Amit el Sandir turned those piercing eyes on her, and suddenly breathing didn’t seem like a given. His stare was unreadable, intense, and vaguely assessing—like he could see straight through her. She almost turned around.
But then Marianna stepped forward, swatting her husband’s arm. “Stop trying to intimidate her, Amit.”
She wrapped an arm warmly around Tabitha’s shoulders. “My son tells me you’re going to join our chaotic family.” Her smile turned smug. “That’s wonderful news. And long overdue.”
Tabitha opened her mouth to respond—but then noticed the hospital bed was empty.
“Where’s…?” she began.
“Over here,” Ramzi called out, stepping into view and looking much better in a fitted black sweater and slacks. He looked healthy. Whole. Strong enough to walk out the door and take on the world.
Her stomach twisted.
“What’s going on?” she asked, trying to keep her voice even.
“We’re flying home,” Sheik Amit announced, his tone brooking no argument. “I respect the staff here, but I want him under our care.”
Her heart dropped. She nodded quickly, trying to hide the disappointment. “That’s probably best,” she murmured, already backing toward the door. “I’ll just—”
“You’re coming with me,” Ramzi interrupted, his voice low but firm. “I couldn’t possibly recover without you.”
A poorly muffled snort came from the corner. Tabitha turned to see Ramzi’s younger brother failing to hide his chuckle.
Ignoring the other man, she narrowed her eyes at Ramzi. “Are you this dictatorial at home, too?”
“Worse,” he said, deadpan. “But you love me. We’re getting married. Soon.”
Tabitha’s heart soared with happiness, but she couldn’t let Ramzi get away with his autocratic command. “Is that so?”
He lifted that dark eyebrow, as if daring her to disagree. “That’s so.”
She stared at him, trying to come up with something pithy to say, something to pierce that amazing confidence. But all she could come up with was, “And are you still going steal the last sweet and spicy shrimp?”
He nodded, but there was a hint of a grin at the corners of his sexy mouth. “Every time.”
He pulled her in and kissed her forehead. The touch undid her a little. Her breath caught.
“That might be a deal breaker,” she whispered, laying her cheek against his chest, careful not to bump his wounded arm.
He leaned closer. “Maybe we can negotiate that last piece of shrimp…”
Then he kissed her. Slow. Certain. Warmth and relief spilled through her—and when the round of applause started, Tabitha jumped, red-faced, realizing the entire room had watched the past several moments unfold.
She groaned. “Oh, you’re going to pay for that,” she whispered, then turned to face his family once again.
“Witnesses,” he said with a shrug, draping his unwounded arm around her and tugging her to his side.
She leaned into him, smiling shyly at his intimidating relatives.
But Marianna stepped closer again, her tone now softer.
“We’re very excited for both of you,” she said, taking Tabitha’s hand.
Then she shook her head. “I just don’t understand,” she said, more to the room than anyone in particular.
“What would drive a woman to attack with a knife? What could possibly provoke that kind of madness?”
One of the guards stepped forward—it was Brant, she remembered now. “We’ve got her in custody. Sheriff’s department confirmed it, interrogating her for the past few hours.”
Marianna turned toward him, eyebrows lifted. “And what have you discovered?”
He nodded grimly. “Apparently, her husband—Martin—has been comparing her to Ms. Jones for years. Telling her she wasn’t as smart, or as beautiful as Ms. Jones. Always bringing up Ms. Jones.” He paused, shaking his head. “She just… lost it.”
Tabitha swallowed hard, her voice quieter. “But she married him. She took Martin from me. I didn’t take anything from her.” She’d heard the jealousy issue from the sheriff earlier, but that didn’t make it make sense. It was hard to grasp that kind of hatred.
Brant sighed. “Doesn’t matter. Some people rewrite history in their heads to justify their hate.”
There was a moment of stunned silence.
“Well,” Marianna said briskly, “she’ll face the consequences.
” Then she turned to Tabitha, her eyes warm.
“And you, my dear, are not going anywhere.
You're coming home with us.” She lifted her hands when Tabitha started to argue.
“Non-negotiable,” she said with authority and kindness.
“And no need to worry about the details.
We'll have your things packed up and delivered.”
Ramzi grinned, lightly squeezing Tabitha. “You hear that? Royal decree.”
She turned to him with a dry smile. “Still not sure about the shrimp thing.”
He lowered his voice. “I’ll share. Sometimes.”
She rolled her eyes as if put out, but couldn’t hide her smile. “That’s true love.”
And then she curled back against him, the weight of the past few days finally lifting. She glanced over to see her mother wiping away tears and her father blinking suspiciously fast.
Everything had changed. But somehow, everything felt exactly right.