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Bilal pulled over in front of the house and alighted the car to get the door for Adnan, but before he could, Zynah had already done that. His gaze lingered on her for a little too long. He didn't fail to notice her foul mood. The urge to ask her about it was a huge one, but caution held him back. He didn't want her to feel like he was crossing a boundary. His lips parted, then closed, the unspoken question dying on his tongue.

"When you're done, please give me a call, I'll come get you both," he began, his voice gentle. "Or...I could wait for you to get done and..." He trailed off as he sought the right words.

Zynah could only hum in response. Her eyes filled with an emotion that couldn't quite be deciphered. Her eyes held his captive for a fleeting moment before she turned away, taking Adnan's hand. "Let's go Adnan."

Instantly, Adnan wriggled out of Zynah's grasp and sprinted towards his father, his small hands wrapping around Bilal's legs. "Please don't go, Daddy," he ple