Malik’s eyes filled with tears.
“Father, you could have told me.”
“Yes,” Suleiman replied. “I could have. And perhaps I should have told you enough to ease your worries. But I had watched my own children begin to measure my worth by what I could no longer provide. I was afraid of seeing that happen again.”
Amina lowered her head.
The old man had not stolen from her.
He had not been confused when he made secret phone calls.
And the missing money?
Idris explained that the cash envelope had later been found inside an old shopping bag after the family had moved furniture. The bracelet had been discovered in the lining of a handbag Amina had taken to a tailor for repair.
Both incidents had been accidents.
Neither had been caused by Suleiman.
Amina felt the blood drain from her face.
She had accused an innocent man of theft.
