Reine's POV
"Baby, what do you think about this?" I asked, holding up the new Kelly bag I had bought just for Rina.
Her eyes lit up. "I love it, Mom!"
That was all I needed.
I folded a few of her favorite dresses, matched shoes to bags, and made sure to include her tiny designer shades she loved so much. Meanwhile, my mini-me trailed behind me with her iPad in hand, plopping down on my bed like a princess surveying her empire.
As I moved around my walk-in closet, packing for our trip, I made sure every piece I chose would make heads turn. I hated attention, yet craved it in equal measure—fame came with a rhythm, and I'd long since learned how to dance to it.
Soon enough, our bags were loaded into the car, and Mr. Vince drove us straight to my private airfield.
And there she was—my sleek, black jet waiting patiently like a throne in the sky. My safe space. My reminder that I'd built this life with my own hands.
Camilla, my favorite hostess, greeted us with her usual stunning smile. "I'm so excited to see you again, ma'am."
"Same here, Camilla," I replied as we boarded.
We took off with ease.
"Mummy, can I stay with you?" Rina asked sweetly, climbing into my lap without waiting for an answer.
"Of course, my love."
She was seven, but with the way she clung to me, you'd think she was three. I didn't mind. I would hold onto her for as long as time allowed.
Across from us, Irene smirked, shaking her head. She didn't say anything—but her eyes said, Clingy as ever.
I just smiled, gazing out at the clouds as we soared above them. There's something about the sky—it makes you feel small, yet infinite at once.
---
"We're here!"
I jolted awake to Irene's voice. That woman never understood volume control.
Rina stirred in my arms, blinking her sleepy eyes.
"Mom, are we in Saudi Arabia already?" she asked with a grin.
"Yes, baby. We're here."
"If the both of you are done admiring each other," Irene snorted while still scrolling through her phone, "we can leave the jet now."
"See you soon!" Camilla waved as we exited. We waved back, and our driver took us straight to our paradise: Shebara Island.
The white sands, turquoise waters, and untouched beauty left Irene and Rina wide-eyed. I'd been here before, but seeing it through their eyes made it new again.
"Mom, I love it here!" Rina squealed.
I smiled and nodded. That was enough for me.
We settled into the villa quickly. While they explored the rooms, I sat on the bed with my phone, mindlessly scrolling—until I caught them whispering. Irene and Rina. Mischief in motion.
"Reine, we're going for a walk. You coming?"
I wanted to say yes, but my body had other plans. "You two go ahead," I said softly.
Rina kissed me on the cheek before leaving. My heart tugged. I watched them go, then turned toward the window, staring at the horizon where the ocean met the sky.
"I miss you," I whispered into the silence.
Tears gathered, but I didn't let them fall.
With trembling fingers, I reached for the light switch. The room went dark. I always found comfort in the dark—it didn't judge. It listened.
---
"Mummy, we're back!"
Her voice woke me again. I blinked into the darkness as Rina climbed into bed beside me. She studied my face, curious.
"You look so beautiful, Mama," she whispered, brushing my cheek.
My chest ached.
He used to say that. He called me Mama, too.
"Mom, is everything okay?"
"Of course, baby. And you're even more beautiful," I said, kissing her forehead.
She beamed. "Bonne nuit, Mom."
I smiled. "Bonne nuit, mon amour."
She nestled close to me and fell asleep. I tapped her forehead gently, eyes locked on her sleeping face. She looked so much like him.
Then came the interruption—of course.
"What are you doing over there? Come let's talk," Irene called from the doorway.
I gave her a death glare, and she rolled her eyes.
Quietly, I tucked Rina in, brushing the duvet up to her chin.
"Can we go now?" I muttered.
"Yes, my lady," she said with a dramatic bow.
"My lady?" I repeated, and we both burst into laughter.
"Shhh! Rina's sleeping," I whispered, and we tiptoed out.
---
The beachfront was quiet, lit only by moonlight and the scattered sparkle of stars. We sat on plush chairs, sipping ginger tea, letting the waves fill the silence.
"Irene," I murmured.
"Hmm?"
She turned to me, brows raised.
"Don't you ever get tired?"
She chuckled. "Of you? Every day."
I cracked a small smile. She sipped her tea and then leaned closer, her expression suddenly serious.
"Reine… don't you miss Adrian?"
I froze.
My smile faded like fog under sunlight. I hadn't been expecting that. Not here. Not now.
"I mean, you never told me why you left him. But I know—I know—he loved you. And you're punishing Rina by keeping them apart. She doesn't deserve that."
Tears welled up before I could stop them.
She wasn't wrong. But how could I explain the reasons I left? The fear. The weight. The pain?
"You'll know when the time is right," I whispered.
She reached out, held my hand, and nodded. "I love you."
"I love you, too," I said, laying my head on her shoulder.
We stayed like that, quiet and soft, until the night yawned itself asleep.
---
The next morning, Rina bounced onto the bed. "Mummy, what are we doing today?"
"How does the Kid's Club sound, baby?"
"Perfect!"
We dressed and left for a day filled with food, music, and laughter. Rina was in her element—laughing, running, living.
She fell asleep in my arms on the way home, and I held her tight.
By the time we got to the villa, we all collapsed into bed, too tired to even speak.
---
Knock knock.
"Come in," Irene said groggily.
A hotel server pushed in a breakfast cart with grace. She smiled, glowing in her uniform.
"Sabah al-khair ya jameelat," she greeted warmly.
"Sabah al-khair ʿalayki ya jameelah," I responded with a smile.
Irene and Rina froze.
"You speak Arabic?" Irene gasped.
"Just a little," I smirked.
"How many languages do you speak?" she asked, stunned.
"A couple," I answered, sipping my tea like royalty.
"You're awesome, Mom!" Rina exclaimed, jumping into my arms.
I turned to Irene, closed her mouth with one finger, and whispered, "I know. I'm perfect."
She shoved me playfully toward the couch. "You don't have to rub it in, pretty head."
"Now let's eat!"
We sat together, food steaming between us, laughter dancing through the room.
---
Later that day…
"Mummy, I'm bored. Let's go have fun!"
Irene arched a brow at me. I sighed dramatically.
"Alright—grab your swimsuits. We're hitting the pool."
Rina squealed. Irene followed. I stood, stretched, and picked out the perfect bikini.
When I emerged, both their jaws dropped.
"You look like a goddess, Mom."
"Of course she does," Irene added. "She's Reine."
I smiled smugly. "If you're done basking in my fabulousness, can we finally swim?"
We all burst into laughter, heading toward the water as the sun dipped lower.
It was perfect.
Almost perfect.
Except for the silence inside me that still whispered his name.
---