Page 65 of Jade: Chance Are

“When you sent Mariam away she was pregnant with twins. Which she almost aborted but I’m thankful she didn’t. They are beautiful, it is like watching a younger Taimani and me. I can assure you that you will never meet them.”

“Twins. Twins. Twins”

“Yes, Dad, Twins, a boy and a girl, and no way are you ever going to see them or get close to them, you and I both know. I’ll never trust you again. I warned you not to get between Mariam and me. You didn’t listen.”

“Naseer, please. I may have gone too far but please let me see my grandchildren. Twins are an incredible blessing from my side of the family. They are rare in our family lineage. Whoever gets them is forever blessed. Please son let me see them.”

“Not going to happen, Dad! I don’t trust you! I need to protect my children and do what’s best for them. Dad” his own words back at him.

“I understand, can I at least apologize to Mariam in person.”

“Absolutely not! She’s terrified of you! Did you not hear me the first time, that’s how much fear you instilled in her. You could have made this easy by listening to me. You can’t be in the same room with my wife and children,” I yell at him and see tears in his eyes. I get up and pace before turning my stoned face to him.

“You went too far, Dad, and forced me to make a choice. I’ll always choose them. Your plans to pull Mariam and me apart didn’t work. I know you told her to tell me she was cheating on me just to prove to yourself that you were right because I didn’t believe you when you pushed that theory in the past if you must know, she knew it would hurt me so she just lied and said she didn’t love me anymore I didn’t believe that either because I know what we have. I trusted you Dad by telling you how I felt about her, you betrayed that trust by using the one person I valued most to hurt me.

For years you watched me work harder, become a shell of myself, and not get into a relationship with any woman, yet you didn’t try to fix your error because you wanted King before my name, something I don’t want. You kept pushing a woman, I specifically told you I didn’t want and who by the way is a functioning drug addict, you wanted the crown so bad that you forgot to do the right thing. I’ll say this once more. I don’t want to be King.

I’m going to pay you back by taking Mom from you for just a little while, so you know how it feels. Taimani isn’t going to come and see you that I know for sure. To put a finality to your request of my wife, in what sane or insane world, do you think I would ever let you near my Jade and our children.” He’s crying, and my heart remains harder than a rock.

“I understand, take care of the twins and Mariam,” he says as the tears trickled down his face. “Please forgive me and don’t take my wife from me,” he says dejected.

“I won’t stop her for long and I won’t encourage her either.”

“Okay,” he acquiesces, not like he has a choice.

I turn and leave. Shutting the door on what has become of my father. I went to see my uncle.

“How’s your father?” he asks. Not a surprise he’s already briefed before I arrived here. He’s seated at his grand desk, a tea set next to him. The man loves tea. Every time I see him behind the desk casually like this. I’m reminded of my grandfather. I wish he was here to see my children.

“He’ll live, he wants to see my wife and children. No way is that ever going to happen.” He nods.

“I have people reviewing your father’s department, a big mess. He was there for too long, without anyone doing any checks and balances on him. I can’t tell if he’s just terrible with his work or if he did it to steal money. I will let you know once I know more.”

“Let me know what you need me to do.” He nods.

“When are you going to bring your wife to see me.”

“Soon, she’s trying to finish her contract with LaBelle. I’m to meet my children at the end of the week. Hopefully, I can bring them all to greet you.”

“That would be wonderful,” he says, smiling. “I hear Mariam is brilliant.”

“That she is very hard working.”

“Would you oppose her working for Rhanaz?”

“I won’t, but Mariam will perform better if it’s something she wants to do on her own.”

“Brilliant and headstrong am guessing,” he says, smiling.

“That’s Mariam.” He laughs. We discuss other matters at hand and even call Raheem. I leave the palace and head to LaBelle. I’m about to open her office door when Lucy stops me. “She’s in her zone.”

“Did she eat yet?”

“No, but I’ll interrupt her in about thirty minutes.”

“Okay, let me know when you do.”

“Thank you,” I say before leaving. Lucy and I now have an understanding, gone are the days she used to try to shield me from getting to Jade.