Julian’s POV
The night had been a storm between us, the kind that left no air, no space, only the certainty of what we both felt but were too afraid to say out loud. When Ariana finally fell asleep in my arms, I stayed awake for a long time, staring at the ceiling, wondering how one woman could undo me so easily.
By morning, the weight of the upcoming Boat Festival pressed itself on my mind. In Al Rayyan, appearances mattered. Every step we took there would be watched, every detail measured. Ariana and I had to look perfect,not just because it was expected, but because anything less would spark whispers neither of us could afford.
So when she stirred beside me, her hair sticking to her cheek and her lips parted in sleep, I pressed a kiss to her temple and whispered, “We’re going shoppin
