جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

Crystal's POV Crystal stood in her bathroom, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed from the greenhouse, her lips were still swollen from Ahmad's kisses. She looked different but alive in a way she hadn't been in weeks. But she needed to erase the evidence before anyone saw.She splashed cold water on her face, pressing her fingers against her heated skin. "Pull yourself together," she whispered to her reflection. "You're supposed to be Amir's dutiful pregnant wife, not a woman who just spent two hours with his brother."A knock on her bedroom door made her jump. "Crystal? Are you there?"Amir's voice. Crystal's heart lurched into her throat."Just a minute!" she called, drying her face hastily. She checked herself one more time and opened the door.Amir stood in the hallway, his phone in one hand, looking impatient. "Where have you been? I came by an hour ago and you weren't here.""I went for a walk," Crystal said, keeping her voice steady. "The doctor s

Laila was already at the café when Crystal arrived. She was sitting at a corner table with two iced coffees sweating in the Dubai heat. She jumped up when she saw Crystal, her face a mixture of excitement and concern."Oh my God, look at you!" Laila pulled her into a tight hug, then held her at arm's length. "You're pregnant. Actually pregnant. I still can't believe it.""Believe it," Crystal said, sinking into the chair across from her. Her legs felt weak from nerves. "It's real. Very real.""How are you feeling? Do you have morning sickness? Cravings?" Laila pushed one of the coffees toward her. "Wait, can you have caffeine?""I can have a little. The doctor said one cup a day is fine." Crystal took a sip, the coldness helping settle her churning stomach. "But that's not why I asked you here."Laila's smile faded, replaced by concern. "What's wrong? Is it Amir? Did he hurt you?""Not physically. But Laila, everything is so much more complicated than I thought." Crystal glanced aroun

Crystal's POV Crystal woke to Amir sitting at the edge of her bed, a leather folder resting on his lap. Morning sunlight cut through the curtains, painting stripes across his face that made him look like a stranger."You're in my room," she said, pulling the blanket up to her chin instinctively."I knocked but you didn't answer." He set the folder on the nightstand. "I have something important for you to review."Crystal's mind immediately went to Amira's warning: “Don't sign anything.” Her heart rate kicked up, adrenaline sharpening her senses. "What is it?""Medical power of attorney documents. Standard procedure for pregnancy." Amir opened the folder, pulling out several pages of dense legal text. "In case something happens during delivery or if there are complications, I need to be able to make decisions on your behalf.""Why wouldn't I be able to make my own decisions?" Crystal sat up slowly, keeping distance between them."Anesthesia, emergency situations, medical incapacity.

Amir's POV Amir stood in the penthouse suite of the Al-Fayad hotel, loosening his tie while Quayum poured champagne into crystal flutes. The city sprawled below them, a carpet of lights that made everything seem possible."To successful negotiations," Quayum said, raising his glass. "The investors are on board. Three months and the Lin Group acquisition will be finalized.""Three months," Amir echoed, drinking deeply. The champagne was expensive and crisp. It tasted like sweet victory. "Once Crystal has the baby, once I have the heir, everything falls into place.""What about Ahmad? He's been quiet lately. Too quiet." Quayum refilled both glasses, his expression concerned. "I still think he knows something.""Ahmad is irrelevant. He has no proof of anything, and even if he did, who would believe him? I'm the one with the pregnant wife, a heir on the way and most importantly, Father's approval." Amir walked to the window, his reflection ghostly in the glass. "Ahmad will fade back to L

Crystal's POV Crystal didn't sleep that night. She sat by the window watching the gardens fade from twilight to darkness, the unsigned documents sat on the table behind her like a ticking bomb.Her phone buzzed constantly. Texts from Ahmad, from Laila, from Amira after Mahmud had alerted her to the situation.Crystal set the phone down and pressed her forehead against the cool glass. Below, she could see security patrolling the gardens, their flashlights cutting through the darkness like searching eyes.Another text came, but from Laila: “I'm coming to get you. First thing tomorrow. He can't keep you prisoner.”Crystal took a long look at the text and sighed. She didn't know what to say. She was exhausted.Crystal's phone rang. Amira's name flashed on the screen. She answered quickly. "Hello?""Crystal, listen to me very carefully." Amira's voice was urgent but controlled. "I've been reviewing UAE family law all night. If you sign those documents, you give Amir complete control over