90

Jamal's POV

The next day, I decided to try my luck once again. As soon as the kids were fed and watching TV, I drove off to see if she was back, but not before stopping and buying some food from a restaurant downtown.

Somehow that felt appropriate, a peace offering to get on her good side. No arguments today, I wasn't going to upset her in anyway.

We were just going to talk, that's it.

I drove up to Methis’ apartment with a mix of anticipation and a strange calm. I hadn’t seen her since she left her father’s house, and I knew she must be going through a lot. I also knew that away from her father’s influence, she was more vulnerable, and given the fact that he very clearly disliked me, she would be less hostile too, and I hoped to take advantage of that.

I knocked on the door, and to my surprise, Methis answered it herself. She looked tired and withdrawn, but her eyes lit up when she saw me.

“Jamal,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“Hey,” I replied, a little smile spreading acros