Chapter 41 - Part 3

Hazar

I walked into Habbab's office with a mixture of resentment and regret. I knew he was devastated by the loss of Melek, just like I and my family, but Habbab was still my enemy, still, the man who humiliated my little girl. Still, I felt I had to make a gesture out of pure politeness toward the bond Habbab had with Melek, my own daughter. I found him slumped in his grief, his eyes reddened and his voice trembling.

"Habbab...," I said, trying to hide my disdain as I addressed him. "I am here out of pure courtesy. I know that Melek was important to you and I want you to know that, despite our differences, I understand your suffering."

Habbab looked up, his tear-filled eyes meeting mine. His broken voice echoed as he replied, "Hazar, I cannot bear this loss. Melek was everything to me, and now he is gone forever."

I swallowed my resentment and continued, aware that my gesture was merely a formality. "I am not here to sympathize with you, I am here because I saw how you broke down at