CHAPTER 1 — The Cry That No One Could Silence
The crying had become unbearable.
Two hours.
One hundred and twenty endless minutes.
Every passenger on Flight 702 from London to Dubai had stopped pretending to be patient.
The little boy screamed until his tiny voice turned hoarse.
His cheeks burned bright red.
His body shook with fear every time the aircraft hit turbulence.
His mother, Emily Carter, looked like she hadn't slept in weeks.
She whispered lullabies.
She offered milk.
She rocked him gently.
Nothing worked.
"I'm so sorry..."
She repeated the words again and again until they sounded almost meaningless.
An elderly passenger rolled his eyes.
A businessman muttered loudly,
"Why would anyone bring a baby on a twelve-hour flight?"
Another woman complained to the flight attendant.
"This is ridiculous. I paid for peace, not this."
Emily lowered her head.
She wanted to disappear.
Her husband...
The only person who could always calm little Noah...
Was gone.
Three weeks earlier...
Captain Daniel Carter had died during a rescue mission while serving as a humanitarian pilot in Africa.
His body had only returned home ten days ago.
Now Emily was flying alone to introduce Noah to his grandparents for the very first time.
The grandparents who had never even met their grandson.
Every memory hurt.
Every breath felt heavy.
And Noah...
Somehow seemed to understand that his father would never hold him again.
The crying became louder.
Across the aisle...
Several passengers began recording videos with their phones.
"This will go viral."
One teenager laughed.
Emily noticed.
Fresh tears filled her eyes.
She hugged Noah tightly.
"I'm sorry..."
"I'm trying..."
Nobody answered.
Then...
A tall man slowly closed the leather folder resting on his lap.
He wore a spotless white kandura.
An expensive gold watch peeked beneath his sleeve.
Every movement carried quiet authority.
No one needed an introduction.
Several passengers had already recognized him.
Sheikh Khalid Al Rashid.
The youngest heir to one of the Middle East's most influential families.
Owner of international airlines...
Hotels...
Hospitals...
And charities worth billions.
Rumors said ministers stood when he entered a room.
Now...
He slowly removed his seatbelt.
The entire cabin noticed.
Whispers spread immediately.
"He's finally going to complain."
"I knew it."
"He's probably going to demand they move her."
Even the flight attendants became nervous.
Emily's face turned pale.
She looked at the approaching sheikh with terrified eyes.
"I'm so sorry, sir..."
"I'll try harder..."
She couldn't even finish the sentence.
Because Sheikh Khalid stopped directly beside her seat...
Looked silently at the crying child...
And extended both arms.
"I believe..."
He said softly.
May you like
"May I hold him?"
The entire aircraft froze.
