Nadia took a steadying breath, gripping the lapels of her pink bathrobe as she stepped out of the bathroom. The cool air brushed against her damp skin, sending a faint shiver through her body. But it wasn't the cold that had her unsettled—it was the man waiting in the next room.
The man who had prepared for this marriage in ways she hadn't anticipated.
She turned toward the massive walk-in closet, seeking refuge in the simple task of dressing.
But as she stepped inside, she realized there was nothing simple about this.
Her breath hitched.
The closet was a world of its own.
Rows upon rows of meticulously arranged designer clothing lined the space, the soft glow of ambient lighting illuminating each luxurious piece. The scent of expensive perfume lingered in the air, mixing with the faintest trace of Zayne's cologne.
Her fingers hovered over a section of perfectly organized dresses.
Dresses from her favorite designers. Shoes she had admired but never purchased. Limited-edition handbags.
Every single item—picked with precision.
Her stomach twisted as she moved further in.
Lingerie.
Silk. Lace. Satin.
All in her size.
She swallowed hard.
How long had he been planning this?
This wasn't something thrown together overnight. This was intentional. Thoughtful. Obsessive.
Her heart pounded.
The realization crept in like a whisper against her skin—this marriage may have been forced on her, but he had wanted it.
Prepared for it.
She grabbed a silk camisole and matching shorts, shoving her unease aside. Right now, she had bigger concerns than Zayne Al-Fayed's unsettling level of preparation.
She had a war to win.
By the time she stepped back into the bedroom, Zayne was already in bed.
He reclined against the headboard, scrolling through his tablet, his reading glasses perched on his nose.
His white pyjama shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the strong lines of his forearms. The sight was almost domestic—except for the undeniable authority he exuded, even in rest.
He didn't glance at her as he spoke into his phone.
"No. Reschedule the meeting."
His voice was sharp. Final.
Nadia hesitated, ears perking up despite herself.
A pause. Then, his tone dipped lower, edged with quiet command.
"I said reschedule."
Her fingers tightened around her tablet.
Who was he talking to?
A government official? A foreign diplomat?
Who had the most powerful man in the country waiting on his schedule?
"I don't care if they find it disrespectful," Zayne continued, fingers tapping against the screen. "They'll wait. And if they don't, I'll find someone else to replace them."
Another pause.
"I'm not asking."
A slow shiver ran down Nadia's spine.
This wasn't a businessman negotiating.
This was a king dictating terms.
Whoever was on the other end of the call had no choice but to obey.
She climbed into bed, staying as far from him as possible.
She didn't miss the smirk that tugged at his lips.
He knew she was listening.
She ignored him.
Pulling up her own tablet, she unlocked it with swift fingers. The screen illuminated, revealing the latest reports, stock market trends—
And Sara and Kareem's movements.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
They had taken everything from her.
It was time she took everything from them.
__
He felt her presence settle on the far side of the bed, her back rigid, her attention locked onto the screen in front of her.
Always planning.
Zayne lowered his tablet slightly, his gaze drifting to her.
She was trying to put distance between them.
Adorable.
As if distance would make him forget she was his.
His eyes flickered to her hands—small, delicate, but steady as she scrolled through reports, no doubt plotting her revenge.
He had known this fire burned inside her.
It was one of the reasons he let her fight.
One of the reasons he had waited.
Watching from the shadows as she built herself up, only for them to tear her down.
And now?
Now, she was forced into his world.
Where she had no choice but to stand by his side.
She thought this was a battle of power, that she needed to win her place back in the world.
He had prepared this home for her. This life.
Because he had always known she would end up here.
She just hadn't accepted it yet.
__
Nadia barely noticed the time passing.
Her mind was drowning in numbers, market fluctuations, press releases—any scrap of information she could use.
Sara had underestimated her.
Kareem thought he had won.
They were wrong.
She wasn't just going to reclaim what was hers.
She was going to crush them.
But she needed leverage. A weakness. A single thread to pull.
Her eyes flickered to a stock acquisition announcement.
Kareem's company was expanding—merging with a smaller firm overseas.
That's a risk, she thought.
An opening.
A plan started forming in her mind.
A deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
"You should sleep."
She jumped slightly, turning her head to find Zayne watching her.
His tablet was gone. His reading glasses, too.
He was studying her.