LOVE WITHOUT DESTINY

part 55

"Alizey," Amal called out, pretending to sound strict.

There was soft giggling.

Amal sighed, already knowing where she would be.

She moved toward the window and gently pulled the curtain aside.

And there she was.

Alizey was hiding behind it, half her tiny body concealed, half visible. Soft golden hair spilled over her shoulders, glowing in the sunlight. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief - sharp, curious, alive. She was breathtakingly beautiful in a way that felt unreal, like a child straight out of a movie scene.

"Found you," Amal said, smiling.

Alizey laughed and ran straight into her arms.

"Enough now," Amal said, pressing a kiss to her daughter's hair.
"Don't trouble Mama so much. That's more than enough mischief for today."

Alizey wrapped her small arms around Amal's neck.

"We'll get late," Amal added softly.
"Come quickly. Don't you want to meet Dad?"

Alizey pulled back immediately, her face lighting up.

"Meet Dad," she said eagerly, her words still a little broken.
"Yes... meet Dad."

Amal smiled - the kind of smile that carried both love and pain.

"That's my good girl," she whispered.
"Come on."

She held Alizey's hand, squeezing it gently, and together they walked out.

Inside the car, Alizey kept swinging her legs, humming to herself.

"Rose?" she suddenly asked.

"Yes," Amal replied softly.

"You picked the rose yourself, remember?"

Alizey nodded seriously.
"For Dad."

"Yes," Amal said, her voice steady.
"For Dad."

"Let's go," Amal said to the driver.

The car moved.

When they arrived, Amal stepped out first and lifted Alizey down carefully. She adjusted her dress, fixed her hair, and then took her hand again - slow, calm, familiar.

This was not their first visit.

They walked quietly.

Alizey looked around, then tugged Amal's hand gently.

"Mama... there."

Amal nodded.

"Yes, sweetheart. We're here."

They stopped.

A grave.

Zain Khan.

Amal didn't freeze.
She didn't flinch.

She simply sat down beside it, like someone returning to a place that already belonged to her. Alizey followed and sat close, leaning lightly against her mother.

"Zain," Amal said softly, as if he were listening.
"We're here."

She brushed Alizey's hair back gently.

"Alizey brought a rose for you today."

She looked down at her daughter.
"Go on, my love."

Alizey stood up carefully, holding the rose with both hands, and placed it gently on the grave.

"There," she said proudly.

"I came, Dad."

Amal closed her eyes for a moment.