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He surprisedmy father and instead he told the closest servant, “Please show Mr Potts to his room” Then he addressed my father, “Richard, it’s lovely to have you in our home As the father of my future bride, you will be treated with the same deference she and I are shown Dinner will be served in theroom promptly at six I suspect you’d care to wash up and rest fro time with my beautiful fiancé”

Myand both she and I gaped at the scene below us It was apparent my dad didn’t kno to deal with all his previous decrees falling on deaf ears The servant picked upand said, “Sir, if you’d please follow me” My dad remained rooted and unable to respond

My rief,” she mumbled, “I’ve never seen him rendered speechless”

I reached over and put my hand over my mom’s and whispered back, “Omar can handle dad, he rules over an entire country”

After a moment,direction The servant waited, and again sio With a huff, ht

Omar took a deep breath and then immediately bounded up the stairs, “Melinda, I am so sorry for this upheaval Will you please join us in the parlor?” He turned to ently h the stress of seeing hiain if you wish not too Are you okay? Do you need to lay back down?”

“I’m okay Omar I’m sorry he treated you so badly I won’t stand for it and I refuse to let hireement I love you, and I want that known” Then in a whisper that only he could hear, I said, “I belong to you now”

He kissed ue into my mouth without any fear or hesitation

“I love you goddess”

CHAPTER FIVE

Once I heeled into the parlor, and helped onto the couch, withelevated, my mom settled next to me and picked up my hand She petted at me and continued to make sounds whenever she noticed a new bruise

“Why did dad even come?” I asked

“He insisted darling, he is your father after all, and my husband, I didn’t feel I could tell him no”

I sighed, “I have every intention of staying here I won’t obey him”

“I knoeetheart, but I have to partially agree with your father, I really do think itelse to fully heal and clear your head”