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She shook her head, wrenched away. He caught her back, persisted. “But after last night, I was in agony. I didn’t know if you were just taking whatever benefits you could from our situation while your heart remained untouched. I went back to our house to give you what I just gave you now, what you tore apart, what would have released you from any fear about your future. I thought if you chose to stay with me when you no longer had to, that it would mean you do want me beyond what I can provide.

“But you have given me more than I ever dreamed. As you have from day one. It was so good, so unbelievable between us from the start, that when your father approached me with his offer, I found it easier to believe that none of it had been true, that you’d been too good to be true. But you are my miracle. And the fact that you love me, after all your father and I did, is beyond a miracle.”

Her tear-filled eyes hardened.

His heart sank. “You don’t still love me?”

“You are still acting. You just need a baby to tick off some royal requirement and don’t want to go through the trouble of acquiring another wife. It was a very time-consuming enterprise for you, acquiring me. All those times you pretended to be interested in me must have been torture for you. A word of advice. Next time, forgo the pretense and just lay your terms on the table. I’m sure hordes of suitable women will snap up you and your cold-blooded deal in a second.”

“I only ever wanted you. The only pretense was when I pretended I didn’t.” He stopped as more tears escaped her eyes, groaned. “But I can’t ask you to believe me. Words mean nothing. I have to prove the truth of my feelings with actions.”

He got out his cell phone and dialed a number.

He spoke as soon as the line opened. “Angus Henderson? Sheikh Adham Aal Ferjani. I have a scoop for you. Record what I’m going to say so you have it in my own words. Are you ready?” He waited a second, gazing back at Sabrina’s confused, apprehensive stare. Then he started. “This is Sheikh Adham Aal Ferjani of Khumayrah, and I’m here today to divulge the true circumstances of my marriage….”

Sabrina gaped at Adham as he recounted everything from the start. He painted his actions in their worst light, closing by saying he was fighting to convince his wife, the love of his life, to give him a second chance to atone for his sins against her, so he could prove his love and dedicate his life to her.

Then he ended the call. “Do you understand now I care only that you believe me and remain my wife, lover and soul mate?”

Sabrina could only stare at him in shock. Angus Henderson was one of the country’s most famous celebrity reporters, who produced and hosted the most notorious shows in the history of modern media. And Adham had just told him everything about their marriage. Everything.

That Adham would expose himself like that! That he would think nothing of offering himself to the media to eat him alive as long as it proved his sincerity to her.

Her paralysis suddenly snapped, and she snatched Adham’s phone, redialed the reporter’s number. Angus answered at once. No doubt the reporter was rabidly eager to answer in case Adham had forgotten more juicy details to add to the explosive scoop he’d just secured.

“Mr. Henderson? This is Sabrina Grant—Princess Aal Ferjani—Mrs. Adham Aal Ferjan…” She panted, her words and thoughts tangling. “Oh, you know who I am. Everything Adham told you was a joke. A dare. There is no truth in what he said, so please don’t publish anything.”

There was a moment’s silence on the other end, before the man’s signature raspy voice answered, “I’m sorry to hear that, since I just broadcast his recording live. In fact, you, too, are on the air with me right now.”

“Oh, God, no….”

She felt she’d burn to ashes with mortification. Adham took the phone from her, assuring their live audience that he’d meant every word and wouldn’t be issuing a retraction. Sabrina squirmed, protesting, but Adham only smiled down on her, hugging her to him as he terminated the