Malik shook his head in disbelief.
“You would do all this for me after everything?”
“After everything,” Suleiman repeated, “I know that you gave me a place to sleep when you believed I had nothing left.”
Then his expression became serious.
“But there is one condition.”
Malik straightened.
“Anything, Father.”
“You must run the business honestly. You must pay your workers on time. You must never use my name to intimidate people, and you must never treat a struggling person as if they have become worthless.”
Malik wiped his eyes.
“I promise.”
Suleiman turned toward Amina.
“And the second condition concerns this home.”
She swallowed.
“Yes, Baba.”
“You must both understand that this assistance does not purchase your affection, and it does not give me the right to control your marriage. I am not giving you money so that you will pretend to love me.”
He paused.
“If you want me to remain here, I want it to be because I am your family. If I ever become too difficult to care for, tell me honestly. We will look for help together. But never humiliate me simply because I am old.”
