Karim told her about his childhood, the pressure he felt to succeed, and the responsibility he carried toward the people who depended on him.
Amelia shared her own dreams, including her desire to establish a design studio of her own.
He listened carefully and encouraged her to take her ambitions seriously.
For the first time, she felt that a man with extraordinary wealth was interested in more than appearances.
Or at least, that was what she believed.
The Proposal Nobody Expected
Their relationship developed quickly.
Karim introduced Amelia to several members of his family, and she gradually learned that his world came with expectations she had never encountered before.
His relatives valued tradition, privacy, and family reputation. Some welcomed her warmly. Others remained reserved, perhaps uncertain about a woman whose upbringing and lifestyle differed from their own.
Karim assured her that their differences would not become an obstacle.
“Marriage should be a partnership,” he told her one evening. “We should be able to build a life that belongs to both of us.”
