My Heart Beats For You

Sample · Prologue

The imam’s calm voice filled the mosque, echoing softly against the marble walls.“Nahla, do you accept Khalid Haidar Ali as your husband?”Nahla didn’t blink. She folded her arms, her chest rising and falling with frustration.“No.”A stunned silence fell.“I can’t.” She swallowed hard. “I’m not living in Nigeria. I can’t survive in this culture.”Gasps rippled through the small gathering.Khalid’s head jerked toward her, eyes wide, hurt settling in his expression like a bruise.Even Haidar Ali — sitting in quiet dignity in his white babban riga — lifted his brows.Nahla turned to Khalid, voice trembling.“Khalid, I love you. Wallahi I do… I used to think I couldn’t breathe without you. But I can’t live here. I can’t adapt.”Khalid stepped forward, almost desperate.“Nahla… we talked about this, didn’t we? You won’t suffer. I’ll get you the best house, cars — everything. You’ll live comfortably.”Sh...

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