Chapter 22

Layla Ghazi's eyes sparkled with a light that had been absent for weeks. She gripped Tariq Al-Farsi's arm, her voice rising in a cheer that made her sound like a young girl again. "Tariq Al-Farsi, I'm going home. I'm going home!" Tariq Al-Farsi looked down at her, his expression softening. He reached out, smoothing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Yes," he said, a steady smile on his face. "You're going home." At that same moment, a sleek car sped toward Shari' Al-Afa'i. Yousef Ghazi gripped the steering wheel, his face a mask of calculated urgency. Beside him sat his son Omar, while Rana and Lina Ghazi occupied the back seat. They were heading toward Mustashfa Al-Sha'ab with a singular purpose, though their motivations were far from unified. "What is grandfather doing?" Omar Ghazi spat, his face twisted in a sneer. "How could he allow Layla to come back? Dad, once Layla returns, you will no longer be the executive chairman. We can't let Layla come home. It's an insult to the family." Lina Ghazi leaned forward from the back seat, nodding fervently. "Omar's right. If she's the executive chairman, how will we benefit from the company? It makes no sense. And besides, how did Layla even get to know the chairman of Najm?" Rana Ghazi tapped her chin, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Rumor has it that Layla is Sami's lover," she interrupted, her voice dripping with malice. "Why else would a man like Sami Haddad care about a disgraced girl like her?" "That's enough now!" Yousef Ghazi snapped, his voice cutting through the bickering like a blade. He didn't turn his head, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "We have to take Layla home and secure the partnership with Najm Group. The order is worth a hundred million. We'll make a net profit of twenty million if we make it work! Do you understand? Twenty million. Keep your mouths shut until she's back in the fold." The car screeched to a halt at the entrance of Mustashfa Al-Sha'ab. The doors flew open, and the Ghazi family stepped out onto the pavement. Layla, who had been waiting near the entrance, gasped and pointed toward the vehicle. "Look, it's uncle! It really is! Tariq Al-Farsi, I'm going home." "Yes, you're going home," Tariq replied, though his smile didn't reach his eyes as he watched the group approach. Yousef Ghazi marched forward, his face suddenly transforming into a wide, welcoming grin. He spread his arms as if to embrace the niece he had helped cast out. "Layla! Dad has told me to take you home. We've missed you." Behind him, Omar, Rana, and Lina stood in a silent row, their faces rigid with barely concealed disdain. Omar stepped forward, his posture arrogant. "Layla, my dad showered you in praise to persuade grandfather to let you back in. He went to bat for you. You should be thanking my dad on your knees for this second chance." Layla's eyes filled with a mix of guilt and relief. She looked at Yousef, her knees beginning to bend as she prepared to show her gratitude. "Thank you, uncle. I—" Before she could touch the ground, a firm hand gripped her elbow. Tariq Al-Farsi pulled her upright, his strength undeniable. "Tariq Al-Farsi, what are you doing?" Layla asked, her voice tinged with annoyance and confusion. Omar's face flushed a deep red, his eyes bulging with fury. "Tariq Al-Farsi, why aren't you kneeling before the future head of the family? Where are your manners, you pathetic dog?" Tariq Al-Farsi looked at Omar with a cold, dismissive gaze. "Kneel? To him?" He let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "He praised Layla, did he? Bullsh*t. If Najm hadn't terminated the partnership with the Ghazis, would you even be here? Go home. Tell Khalid Ghazi that Layla would not be returning." The air went still. Layla turned to Tariq, her face pale. "Tariq Al-Farsi, what's this about Najm terminating the partnership with our family? What are you saying?" "I just watched the news," Tariq Al-Farsi said, his voice direct and unwavering. "Sami Haddad held a press conference and terminated the partnership with the Ghazis. He said that he would only work with the Ghazis if you were there. Since you're no longer a Ghazi, Najm is terminating the partnership. They're panicking now, Layla. That is why they're in such a hurry to take you home. You aren't a daughter to them—you're a bargaining chip." The light in Layla's eyes died instantly. The realization hit her like a physical blow, and her breath hitched as she fought back tears. The "home" she was so desperate to return to was just another cage built of profit margins. Tariq Al-Farsi placed a hand on her shoulder and began to guide her back toward the clinic, turning his back on the family. "Layla, wait!" Yousef Ghazi shouted, his composure shattering into desperation. He scrambled toward them. "You must come home. Think of how old dad is. He can't take any more surprises or stress. Do you really want Khalid Ghazi to make this trip himself before you agree to come home? Have you no respect for your grandfather's age?" Layla's footsteps faltered. She stopped, her heart softening at the mention of the elderly patriarch. She looked at Tariq, her eyes searching his for an answer, her mind clouded by the image of her aging grandfather. ════════════════════════════════════════