The palace no longer feels like my home.
Every corridor echoes with whispers about my engagement, every silk curtain feels like a reminder that my future is being stitched without my consent. I stand on the balcony overlooking the gardens, gripping the cold railing, trying to breathe past the weight pressing on my chest.
Khalid's laughter drifts upward from below.
It sounds confident. Certain. Like a man who believes I already belong to him.
Footsteps approach behind me.
I don't have to turn to know it's Fahad.
"I shouldn't be here," he says quietly.
I swallow. "No. You shouldn't."
But neither of us moves away.
The silence between us is thick, loaded with everything we refuse to say. I keep my eyes on the gardens because I know if I look at him, I might lose control. And control is the only thing keeping me standing.
"They moved the engagement forward," he says.
So he knows.
"Yes," I reply, my voice barely steady. "It's happening faster than planned."
"I felt it," he admits. Then corrects himself too late. "I mean… the palace feels different."
I turn to face him.
That's a mistake.
His eyes soften the moment they meet mine, and suddenly all the walls I've built feel thin. Fragile. Useless.
"Fahad," I begin, my heart pounding. "If things were different—"
"Well," a voice cuts in sharply, "this looks serious."
Lex.
She steps into the balcony space like she owns it, her gaze locked on Fahad. She doesn't bother hiding it anymore—the way she looks at him, the longing, the frustration, the quiet hope.
"I was looking for you," she says to him. "The council needs you."
"I'll be there," Fahad replies, his voice controlled, distant again.
Lex smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "You always are."
I suddenly feel like I'm standing between something dangerous.
"I should go," I say quickly.
Fahad turns toward me. "Ria—"
But I don't stay long enough to hear what he might say.
That evening, Khalid watches me too closely.
At dinner, his hand brushes mine, and I flinch before I can stop myself. His eyes narrow—not angry, not yet—but observant.
"You've been distant," he says calmly. "Is something troubling you?"
I force a smile. "Wedding preparations are overwhelming."
He studies me for a long moment. "Yes," he says slowly. "They can be."
But I know he doesn't believe me.
And that terrifies me more than confrontation ever could.
I can't sleep.
The night stretches endlessly as my thoughts spiral around Fahad—his voice, his restraint, the way he looks at me like he's already lost something. I press my palm to my chest, trying to quiet my heart.
Somewhere else in the palace, a door opens.
Lex stands outside Fahad's room.
She doesn't knock twice.
"I won't stay," she tells him as she steps inside. "But I can't keep pretending anymore."
He looks exhausted. "Lex, this isn't fair."
She lets out a soft, broken laugh. "Neither is watching you love someone you can't have."
He doesn't deny it.
Her voice drops. "You love her."
Silence.
That's all the answer she needs.
"She's engaged," he finally says.
"And you're falling apart," Lex replies. "So am I, for thinking you'd ever choose me."
She steps closer, dangerously close. "If you don't fight this now, you'll lose her forever."
Fahad looks away.
Lex's eyes burn. "Then don't expect me to stay quiet when the truth comes out."
She leaves him with that threat hanging in the air.
Back in my chamber, I sit upright suddenly, my breath shallow.
Something is wrong.
I don't know how I know—but I feel it. Like the palace itself is holding its breath.
The engagement is days away.
Khalid is watching.
Lex is done waiting.
And Fahad and I are running out of silence.
Whatever happens next will change everything.