Chapter 42

Outside the Al-Rashid Villa, the night air felt heavy with the aftermath of the dinner. Layla wrenched her arm out of Tariq Al-Farsi's grip and spun around, her eyes glistening with a mix of exhaustion and fury. "Why are you so stubborn?" she demanded, her voice cracking. "If my grandpa wants you to kneel, just do it! Is your pride worth more than our peace? It's just a gesture, Tariq. Why do you have to make everything so difficult?" Tariq opened his mouth to speak, but the words died...