“I’m listening,” I said.
“I was angry. I shouldn’t have grabbed you.”
It was the first time he had acknowledged even a small part of what he had done without blaming me.
My heart betrayed me by hoping.
Then he continued.
“But you have to understand that your actions have consequences. People are talking. My parents are worried. My colleagues have begun asking questions.”
There it was again.
His reputation.
Not my shoulder. Not Lina’s fear. Not the years I had spent learning how to anticipate his moods.
His reputation.
“I am not responsible for what people think of you,” I said.
He was silent.
Then he asked, “Where is Lina?”
“With family.”
“Which family?”
I did not answer.
His voice changed.
“Amal, don’t force me to take steps you won’t like.”
I ended the call.
My hands were shaking, but I did not call him back.
Huda sat beside me.
