Crystal
When Amir left, she collapsed to the floor in shock. Her body trembled, her chest heaving as though she had just survived an attack.
She was expecting him to sleep with her, She had braced herself for that. But what had happened, the kiss, harsh and furious, had left her rattled in ways she couldn't explain.
She brought her fingers to her neck. She could still feel his hands around her neck.
She could still taste his fury, the bitter edge of jealousy that cut through every movement.
He kissed her like he wanted to erase Ahmad from her skin, from her memory, from the air between them.
"I can't bring myself to touch what's already been tainted." Those words sliced deeper than the kiss they had.
She laid down on the bed and all she felt was fear. It was sharp, cold, and suffocating. Not just because of the way he'd kissed her, but because of the silent warning in his eyes.
At that moment, she thought of him. Ahmad.
His eyes earlier that night, the warmth in them that Amir's kiss had ripped away. The memory of standing close to him, of the space between them that had felt charged but safe.
Her lips tingled, but it wasn't from desire. It was from the shock of realizing how much more she had wanted the kiss to belong to the wrong brother.
Rolling onto her side, she whispered a shaky prayer into the darkness.
Ahmad
Ahmad didn't sleep that night. His chest felt heavy, his mind restless. And the weight had nothing to do with his company or the deal on his desk.
It was her. Crystal.
She filled his thoughts, eclipsing everything else. Her smile, fragile but brave. Her eyes, beautiful, but carrying pain she tried to hide. He had seen it clearly tonight. She was not okay, no matter how much she tried to pretend.
And he couldn't stand it.
One more day, he told himself. One more day and he would see her again. That thought was the only thing holding him steady.
The following morning, he had business at the office. A tip had come in about the Lin Group, and he had arranged to meet a former employee.
Forty - five minutes later, he was at the office, sitting across from the bald-headed man Katie had ushered into his office.
He had read the contents of the envelope the man whose name was Mr Mahmud, had given him and now he was more confused.
"According to this, Ms Trisha Lin willed everything she had to her daughter? A daughter she abandoned? A daughter nobody knows?" Ahmad questioned the man, confused.
"Yes." Mr Mahmud replied calmly. "That was what was written in her will".
Ahmad leaned back, exhaling. "And no one knows who this daughter is? Her name? Or where she might be found?".
Mahmud shook his head. "Nothing concrete. The only detail is that she was left with her father years ago. Even his name remains unknown. We're searching. The moment I have news, you'll be the first to know."
Ahmad nodded, extending a hand. "Thank you, Mr. Mahmud."
When the man left, Ahmad dropped the file onto his desk, rubbing his temples. The Lin deal was his chance to restore his father's trust. But how could he pursue it with this uncertainty?
He sighed. Marriage was off the table for him now, not while the woman he wanted belonged to his brother. Yet his chest burned with longing. He needed to see her, needed to hear her voice. Without it, he felt like he couldn't breathe.
He wondered if he should drive to Amir's house.
Suddenly an idea came to his head. He was going to El-paso.
Amir
Amir paced his study, restless, his jaw clenched. The memory of last night clung to him. The taste of her still lingered on his lips.
A taste he wanted to spit out and savor in the same breath.
He hated that he'd kissed her. He hated it more that he'd lost control long enough to do it. It hadn't been the kiss of a man claiming his wife, it had been a warning, a punishment… and yet somewhere deep beneath the anger, a dangerous hunger had stirred.
The image of her standing with Ahmad burned in his mind, that subtle lean toward his brother that was too close, too familiar. His brother had always taken from him—opportunities, affection, recognition. But Crystal? Crystal was his.
On paper, by contract, by law. And soon, in bloodline.
He told himself it was the contract that made her his, that any breach of boundaries was an offense he wouldn't tolerate. But the truth clawed at him. It was jealousy, raw and venomous, that had driven him there.
His father had given them one week to move into the Al-fayad estate but he was going to move there tomorrow.
He needed to set strict security in place for Crystal so that Ahmad couldn't come near her at all.
He looked down at the document in front of him. It was the Will of Ms Trisha Lin.
He chuckled to himself. Very soon. Just very soon, Lin group and Al-fayad empire would be his.
For now, they had some packing to do.
Crystal
Crystal stood by the window, letting the warm breeze from the palm trees outside brush against her face. She closed her eyes, trying to let it calm her.
She wondered what the Al-Fayad estate would be like. Would it feel like home? Could it?
Her thoughts drifted to Amelia. Sweet Amelia, who had shown her more kindness than anyone in this mansion. Could she come along?
As if on cue, a knock came, and Amelia stepped inside.
"Ma'am," she began, "Mr. Amir said to tell you to get ready. We're leaving for the estate tomorrow."
Crystal was surprised. She thought she had a week to prepare herself.
"Why are we in such a rush? I thought we had a week?" She asked Amelia, visibly confused.
Amelia smiled. "Mr Amir said he would like us to settle in before the company gala next week".
"A gala?" Crystal's stomach sank. A gala. She could endure a family dinner. But a gala meant being paraded before strangers, under lights, under scrutiny.
"Us? Are you coming with us to the mansion?" She asked Amelia, excitement written all over her face.
"Yes ma'am, Mr Amir is allowing me to accompany you to the mansion". Amelia said with a face full of smiles.
Crystal hurried to Amelia's side and hugged her. She was grateful to Amir for this.
"I have to start putting your things together ma'am, excuse me" Amelia said and left the room.
Crystal hugged herself. She had a reason to smile today.
Ahmad
The drive to El-Paso was long, but his mind clung to one hope, that Laila would still be there. She had been close to Crystal once. Maybe she would know something, give him a way to reach her.
He entered the restaurant, but instead of Laila, it was Amelia behind the counter.
"Please, take a seat, sir," she greeted politely.
Ahmad shook his head. "I'm not here to order. I'm looking for Laila."
Amelia blinked. "She's on her break. She'll be here in about ten minutes."
He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Alright. Thank you."
As he turned, she tilted her head, studying him. "I know you. You used to come here for Crystal, didn't you?"
Ahmad froze for half a second, then offered a faint smile. "Yes. You're right."
He ordered a coffee and sat, waiting.
Fifteen minutes later, Laila slid into the seat opposite him, arms folded. "Heard you were looking for me."
Ahmad leaned forward. "I need a way to reach Crystal. I don't have her contact. Please, Laila."
Her expression tightened, torn between loyalty and fear.
"What's going on?" Ahmad pressed gently.
"She's in trouble," Laila whispered. "I can't tell you the full details, but I know she didn't marry your brother by choice."
His heart slammed against his chest.
"She's scared. She's trying to act like everything's okay, but it's not. That man… your brother… he scares her." Laila's voice cracked.
Ahmad clenched his fists. "Why didn't you find a way to tell me earlier?"
Laila bit her lip. "It wasn't up to me, she told me to keep it a secret."
Laila had tears in her eyes. "Her father died three months ago and left her with a 2.5 million dirham debt. The loan sharks threatened to sell her organs if she didn't pay up in a month"
Ahmad pushed back from the table, fury boiling in his veins.
He clenched his fists, voice low. "Give me her number, Laila. Please."
"She made me promise. Said it was dangerous. But I can't watch her suffer anymore. She's fading."
After a moment's hesitation, she slid it across the table.
Ahmad closed his hand around it, his jaw tight. Rage burned hot in his chest. Amir would pay for this. But first, Crystal.