"You walked into the lion's den, sweetheart," he whispered, stepping closer. "And lions don't let go so easily."
He looked down at her leg, at her trembling hands, and the fear in her eyes.
"A beautiful young girl like you," he chuckled, "shouldn't...
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The deep hum of an Audi A8rolled to a stop before the villa, breaking the stillness of the afternoon.
Mishti had been walking slowly along the path near the gate, her hand resting protectively on her belly, her face tilted toward the warm sunlight. It was one of those rare peaceful moments she'd managed to find lately — the kind that felt borrowed, not owned.
Then she heard it — the sound of car doors opening, the rustle of silk, the familiar tone of voices she hadn't heard in months. Her chest went tight.
She turned, and for a second the world blurred.
Shama Begum stepped out first, her face lined with age and kindness, yet shadowed with something Mishti couldn't name. Behind her were Aaliyah, Sadafa, and little Abid, who was no longer the tiny boy she used to chase around the corridors.
She froze. Her pulse roared in her ears. Her throat dried.
No... no, they couldn't be here. Not after everything. Not after they knew.
Her first instinct was to back away — to hide. Her fingers curled over her stomach protectively as if shielding her child from the rejection she was sure was coming. Her breath hitched. "Ma..." she whispered, the word trembling like a prayer.
Shama Begum's eyes softened instantly. She didn't say a thing — just started walking toward her.
Mishti's mind raced with every cruel possibility. Maybe they'd come to curse her, to throw her mistakes back at her. Maybe they'd say she wasn't worthy of their name. She was ready for it.
But then Shama reached her and—without hesitation—wrapped her arms around her.
Mishti stiffened. For a moment she couldn't breathe.
And then the sobs came, breaking through her like a storm.
"Don't cry anymore, beta.No more tears. You've cried enough for a lifetime. You're carrying a baby now — our baby."
She shook her head weakly, words tumbling out between gasps. "You... you all know, don't you? About me? About my parents? You still came?"
Shama Begum pulled back slightly, cupping her face with both hands. "We came because you're our daughter," she said simply. "You're my daughter-in-law.That's all that matters."
Mishti's lower lip quivered. "But my parents... they took your family from you," she whispered, guilt choking her voice. "They took your husband and son... I'll never forgive myself for that. I'll say sorry a thousand times—"
"Stop it, Mishti. You were just a child. You had no control over what they did. Don't carry their sins anymore. You don't deserve that."
Mishti blinked hard, her tears falling faster. For so long she had prepared herself for hate — for disgust, rejection, blame. But this... this forgiveness was worse. It broke her open in the most painful way.
