Chapter 27 · Chapter 27

The silence in the corridor settled like heavy dust once the uncle's footsteps died away. Through the high, narrow window at the end of the wing, the pale morning light of Riyadh washed over the pale stone, sharpening the quiet contours of Majed's jaw. He did not ask if I had been frightened. He knew better than to offer hollow comfort when the lines had already been carved into the floor between us.

"The ink dries before noon," he said, his voice level and low, untroubled by the confrontation that had just dissolved at the threshold. "Nothing he threatens alters the registry."

"Abu Fahad will not sit quietly at the perimeter," I noted, gathering the folds of my black shaila closer around my shoulders. My pulse remained steady, though the weight of the family name pressed against the stillness of the private quarters. "He has cousins in the civil court. If the registry courier leaves the gates without formal notice, someone will contest the ledger before it reaches the notary."

Before Majed could answer, the device in his palm hummed once with a discreet vibration. He lifted it to his ear without haste. "Speak.