Chapter 43

*

Zainab's eyes flew from Adnan's bleeding knuckles to the spot where he had tried to put his hand through the wall.

"Was that really necessary?" she asked.

"Get out of my room," he said, his back turned to her. The blood from his knuckles trickled down onto the tiles, forming a small puddle at his feet. Already, all four of his fingers were beginning to swell from the pain.

But it didn't matter.

None of it did.

Because no matter what he put himself through, no matter how much he tried to hurt himself otherwise, the aching in his heart was far greater than any other form of physical pain.

Zainab gingerly stepped forward, ignoring the menacing way Adnan was breathing.

"I heard your mother talking to your sister," she said. "And I just wanted to offer my condolences."

"I don't want or need your condolences," he said. "I want to be left alone."

"Cheer up already," she sighed. "She'll come around. I know she will."

"You know nothing," he said bitterly.

"On the contrary, Mr Adna