Chapter 14

Rani’s Point Of View

Tonight was the night, the grand gala where every business tycoon in the country would gather under one glittering roof. The city’s elite, the movers and shakers, all eyes on the players who controlled the game. And of course, I was front and center.

I stood before the full-length mirror in the penthouse, the soft light tracing the curves of my elegant gown. The fabric shimmered subtly… black silk hugging my silhouette with just the right balance of power and grace. The deep neckline and daring slit weren’t just fashion choices… they were statements. I was a queen in a jungle of lions, and I owned every inch of this battlefield.

My hair was swept back, sleek and polished, while my makeup was fierce, smoky eyes that could cut glass, lips painted the perfect shade of red to match my resolve.

As I slipped into my stilettos, I could feel the familiar rush of adrenaline. Tonight wasn’t just another event. It was a stage, a battlefield where alliances would be tested, deals would be struck, and secrets would be weapons.

I caught my reflection one last time, eyes sharp and unyielding.

This was my night. And I was ready to conquer.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and I stepped into the grand ballroom, instantly engulfed by a sea of glimmering gowns and tailored tuxedos. Crystal chandeliers spilled warm light across polished marble floors, and the murmur of hushed conversations mixed with the clinking of glasses.

Everywhere I looked, faces bore the familiar masks of power, smiles that hid calculation, eyes that sized up opponents, and hands ready to shake deals or deliver betrayals.

As I made my way through the crowd, heads subtly turned. Whispers floated in the air: There goes Rani Hidalgo, sharp as ever, a force to be reckoned with.

I held my chin high, moving with that signature diva confidence, every step measured, every glance deliberate. This was more than just a gala. It was my arena.

Tonight, I would play their game but on my terms. And when the night ended, everyone would know exactly who held the real power.

My eyes landed on my family standing near the grand staircase. Mom, looking as poised and sharp as ever; Dad, his tall frame exuding quiet authority, and Rawid, my younger sister, already mingling with the other guests, her smile bright but with that same steely edge I recognized.

They caught sight of me, and Mom’s lips curled into a proud, almost challenging smile, like she was silently reminding me of the expectations weighing on all of us. Dad nodded subtly, a hint of approval shining in his eyes, while Rawid gave me a quick, sly wink, a private acknowledgment that no matter what happened tonight, we were a force to be reckoned with.

Seeing them there, so polished and unyielding, stirred something deep inside me. Family wasn’t just about blood, it was about legacy, power, and survival. And tonight, I intended to make sure our name ruled the room.

I approached them with my usual composed smile, feeling the familiar mix of pride and challenge in the air.

Mom’s eyes sparkled as she greeted me, “Rani, darling, you look absolutely stunning tonight. Ready to steal the show?”

I smirked, “You know me, Mom. I don’t just show up, I dominate.”

Dad stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. “Remember, this isn’t just about looks or charm. These people are sharks. Keep your guard up.”

Rawid leaned in with a playful grin. “Don’t worry, big sis. They won’t know what hit them. Just like always.”

I chuckled softly, “Good. Because tonight, the Hidalgo name isn’t just present… it’s ruling.”

Mom placed a hand gently on my shoulder. “That’s the spirit. Make us proud.”

I smiled politely, then asked, “Where’s Rabina? I don’t see her around.”

Mom’s expression tightened just slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her eyes. “She couldn’t make it tonight. Some… important business kept her away.”

Dad gave a curt nod, adding, “She sends her regards. Said to focus on the family name tonight.”

Rawid shrugged, smirking, “Typical Rabina. Always somewhere else, playing her own game.”

I raised an eyebrow, feeling the familiar mix of irritation and curiosity. “Figures. She’s probably off scheming as usual.”

Mom gave me a pointed look. “Don’t underestimate her. Rabina plays differently, quietly but effectively.”

I let out a breath, knowing that no matter where she was, Rabina’s shadow loomed large over every family gathering. “Well, then I’ll make sure to make her proud tonight.”

They all exchanged knowing glances, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air. The night had only just begun.

I glanced at them, feeling the tension tighten around the mention of Lamia and Faisal.

Mom’s voice was carefully neutral. “So… how are Lamia and Faisal? We haven’t heard much lately.”

Dad’s eyes narrowed slightly, his tone clipped. “Is everything… settled between you two?”

Rawid leaned forward with a teasing smirk. “Or is there still drama we’re missing?”

I gave a tight smile, choosing my words carefully. “Lamia’s doing her thing, business as usual. Faisal’s growing fast. You know how it is.”

Mom nodded, but I caught the sharp glance she exchanged with Dad. “We just want what’s best for the family.”

I met their gaze evenly, voice steady but firm. “So do I. No matter what, Faisal comes first.”

Rawid grinned, raising her glass slightly. “To family then, complicated as ever.”

I clinked my glass with hers, the spark in my eyes fierce. “Complicated, but unbreakable.”

The weight of their concern was clear, but beneath it was a shared resolve, whatever storms were brewing, the family stayed standing. And so would I.

The moment the Al-Gaddafi family arrived, the room shifted. Tita Victoria and Tito Jazed stepped in with that effortless grace only old money and power could buy, their presence as commanding as mine. Their smiles were polished, their conversations smooth… just like the Hidalgo family’s. Our parents exchanged warm hellos and business pleasantries, perfectly choreographed like a well-rehearsed dance.

But me? I wasn’t part of that harmony.

Across the room, I spotted Lamia. Her eyes locked onto mine for a split second, cold, sharp, and unyielding. No friendliness, no pretense. Just pure, blazing resentment. We were like two opposing forces trapped in the same glass cage, forced to share this night under the watchful eyes of our families.

I moved with deliberate grace, every step calculated to show strength and control. The room was full of allies and rivals, but none of that mattered. All I could focus on was the tension between us… thick enough to choke.

Lamia and I didn’t care about the alliances or the mingling. To us, this was a war zone, and the stakes were personal.

While our parents smiled and made polite conversation, I was already planning my next move. Because tonight, I wasn’t just here to play a role, I was here to win.

I approached Lamia deliberately, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Her eyes flicked up, cool and unreadable.

“Fancy seeing you here,” I said, voice smooth but edged with steel.

Lamia’s smirk was slow, almost amused. “Of course. Wouldn’t miss it, for the business, of course.”

I raised an eyebrow, the challenge clear. “Business? Or keeping tabs on your little secrets?”

She chuckled darkly, stepping closer so her voice was a low whisper. “You always think you know everything, don’t you? Maybe I like the chaos.”

I met her gaze evenly. “Chaos doesn’t raise a child, Lamia. Faisal deserves better.”

Her smile twisted. “Keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile, I’m still here, and you’re still playing catch-up.”

I leaned in just slightly. “Watch closely. This game is far from over.”

She turned on her heel, walking away with that same fierce confidence, leaving the words hanging between us like a gauntlet thrown down.

The room was full of whispers and eyes, but all I heard was the pounding of my own heartbeat, ready for the battle ahead.

As Lamia walked away, the tension between us still crackling in the air, our families gathered nearby, their voices low but firm.

Mom glanced toward us, a knowing look in her eyes. “They may hate each other, but this alliance… it’s still crucial.”

Dad nodded, folding his arms. “Power doesn’t come from friendship. It comes from control. And right now, we need to keep both families united.”

Tita Victoria’s voice was calm but firm. “Lamia and Rani’s differences won’t dissolve overnight. But for the sake of Faisal and our legacy, we expect cooperation.”

Tito Jazed added, “We all stand to gain if this union remains strong. Let’s not forget what’s at stake.”

Rawid chimed in with a sly grin, “They may be savage with each other, but that fire keeps them sharp. It’s almost… entertaining.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at that, knowing it was true.

Mom gave a small, tight smile. “Just make sure that fire doesn’t burn the whole house down.”

The older generation’s words hung heavy with expectation and warning, this was more than a family gathering. It was a delicate balance of power, and none of us could afford to falter.

——

The gala had finally ended, but the night’s weight didn’t lift. I slipped into the quiet of our penthouse earlier than usual, the polished heels finally replaced by slippers, my body craving relief.

That familiar, unwelcome churn in my stomach returned, a sharp, twisting feeling that no amount of distraction could drown out. I barely made it to the bathroom before I was retching, cold sweat breaking out across my forehead.

I gripped the sink, trying to steady myself, but the nausea clung stubbornly. This wasn’t just stress. It was something deeper, something I was still trying to accept.

The apartment was silent except for my ragged breaths. And as I leaned against the cool tiles, I knew the battle wasn’t just in the boardroom or at these endless social events… it was inside me now.

Lamia didn’t need to be here for me to feel alone. And yet, I had to keep fighting. For Faisal. For myself. For the secret growing inside that no one else knew about.

Tonight, I was exhausted… but I wasn’t broken. Not yet.

I barely caught my breath before the sharp ache in my stomach returned, reminding me that tonight wasn’t over yet. I glanced toward the bedroom door… closed and silent. Lamia wasn’t home.

She hadn’t come back to the penthouse tonight.

That fact hit me harder than the nausea. No matter the tension, the silence between us was always broken by her presence. But tonight, the emptiness felt heavier.

I sank down onto the bathroom floor, clutching the cool tiles, my mind racing with questions no one could answer.

The night stretched on, quiet except for my own thoughts and the relentless churn inside me. Alone, but still fighting.

The bathroom’s cold floor offered no comfort, and despite the exhaustion pulling at my eyelids, sleep refused to come. The nausea had faded into a dull ache, but my mind was restless, tangled with worries and unanswered questions.

I finally pushed myself up and wrapped a soft shawl around my shoulders. Quietly, I slipped out of the bedroom and made my way to the nursery.

The soft glow of the nightlight bathed the room in gentle warmth. There, in his crib, was Faisal… peaceful and innocent, completely unaware of the storms swirling around him.

I knelt beside the crib, my voice barely more than a whisper. “Hey, baby… It’s Mommy.”

His small hand curled around my finger, and for a moment, the chaos outside faded.

“I don’t know how to do this sometimes,” I admitted, my voice cracking. “But I promise… I’m going to protect you. No matter what.”

As I watched him sleep, steady and calm, I felt a flicker of strength return. Whatever came next, I wasn’t alone.

Not while Faisal was here.

I stayed there for a long moment, tracing gentle circles on Faisal’s tiny hand. His soft breaths were the only sound in the quiet nursery, a calming rhythm that contrasted sharply with the storm inside me.

The weight of everything, my crumbling marriage, the secret growing inside me, Lamia’s absence tonight pressed down harder than ever. But looking at Faisal, so pure and vulnerable, I felt a surge of fierce determination rise up.

I whispered softly, almost to myself, “You’re the reason I’m still standing. Even when everything else feels like it’s falling apart… you’re my anchor.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. I wasn’t going to let myself break… not now. Not for him.

I pressed a tender kiss to Faisal’s forehead, feeling a warmth spread through me despite the chill in my bones.

For Faisal, I would endure every battle, face every heartbreak, and keep fighting even if it meant standing alone against the world.

Slowly, I stood and looked around the nursery one last time, a silent promise sealing itself in my heart.

No matter what happened with Lamia, no matter how many secrets and lies surrounded us… I would protect my son.

And somehow, that thought gave me enough strength to face whatever came next.