Areeba stood frozen in front of the wall.

“If they marry, the truth about the night Samina disappeared will come out.”

Her eyes moved over the words again and again.

“What does this mean?”

Zayan didn’t answer.

“Zayan.”

Still nothing.

She turned toward him.

“You know something.”

His jaw tightened.

“I know pieces of it.”

“Then tell me.”

“I can’t.”

Areeba’s eyes filled with anger.

“You keep saying that.”

“I am trying to keep you safe.”

“And keeping me ignorant is supposed to keep me safe?”

Zayan looked at her.

“No.”

His voice softened.

“But some truths destroy people before they can understand them.”

Areeba stepped closer.

“My life is already destroyed.”

He stared at her.

“You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“Yes I do.”

A tear slipped down her cheek.

“For twenty years I believed my mother was dead.”

She wiped it away.

“Then I found out she disappeared.”

Her voice broke.

“Now I’m standing in a house where someone has written that my marriage to you will reveal the truth.”

She looked directly into his eyes.

“I deserve to know.”

Zayan remained silent for a moment.

Then he walked toward an old wooden table.

He opened one of the drawers.

Inside was a small black box.

Areeba watched him take it out.

“What is that?”

“Something your mother left behind.”

Areeba’s heart stopped.

He placed the box in her hands.

Her fingers trembled as she opened it.

Inside was a small golden bracelet.

A photograph.

And a folded piece of paper.

Areeba picked up the photograph first.

It showed her mother holding a baby.

Her.

She looked at the picture with tears in her eyes.

“My mother had this?”

“Yes.”

“What does the letter say?”

Zayan looked away.

“I’ve never opened it.”

Areeba stared at him.

“Why?”

“Because it was addressed to you.”

Her fingers slowly unfolded the paper.

The handwriting was delicate.

Familiar.

Even though Areeba had seen it only a few times in old photographs.

My dearest Areeba.

She stopped.

Her lips trembled.

One day you will ask why I left.

When that day comes, don’t believe everything your father tells you.

Areeba’s eyes widened.

She continued.

There was someone I trusted more than anyone.

Someone who promised to protect you if I failed.

Her eyes moved to the next line.

Then suddenly stopped.

Because there was only one name.

Zayan.

Areeba slowly looked up.

Zayan was standing across the room.

She whispered.

“My mother trusted you?”

“Yes.”

“More than my father?”

He looked at her.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Zayan’s eyes became distant.

“Because your father wasn’t the only person she was afraid of.”

Areeba’s heart pounded.

“Who else was there?”

Zayan stepped closer.

“My uncle.”

She frowned.

“Your uncle?”

He nodded.

“He wanted your mother’s property.”

Areeba stared at him.

“But why would he hurt her?”

“Because she refused to sign it over.”

“And my father?”

Zayan hesitated.

“Your father made a deal with him.”

Areeba felt dizzy.

“What deal?”

Before Zayan could answer, the sound of a car engine came from outside.

Both of them froze.

Zayan quickly went to the window.

A black car had stopped outside the house.

Areeba whispered,

“Who is that?”

Zayan’s expression changed instantly.

He closed the curtains.

“We need to leave.”

“Why?”

He turned toward her.

“That is my uncle’s car.”

Areeba’s heart dropped.

“You said he wanted my mother’s property.”

“I did.”

“Then why is he here?”

Zayan walked toward her.

“Because he knows we found the box.”

Areeba looked at the letter in her hand.

“And if he finds out what else we know?”

Zayan took her hand.

“Then he will come for you.”

Areeba stared at their joined hands.

This time she didn’t pull away.

Zayan looked into her eyes.

“I promised your mother I would protect you.”

Areeba whispered,

“And if protecting me means losing everything?”

His fingers tightened around hers.

“Then I’ll lose everything.”

For a moment, the world outside disappeared.

There was only his hand in hers.

His eyes.

And the strange warmth growing between them.

Then someone slammed the front door downstairs.

Zayan immediately pulled her close.

“Stay behind me.”

Areeba looked at him.

“Zayan…”

He lowered his voice.

“No matter what happens tonight…”

His eyes met hers.

“Don’t let go of my hand.”

And then the footsteps began coming up the stairs.