Imani and Iris stayed at Elora’s house for weeks. Iris quietly enrolled Imani into a new school, wanting to cut off every excuse Aziel might use to disrupt their peace. The little girl, who had only just begun bonding with her father, wasn’t happy about it. She had secretly hoped he would be the one to take her on her first day. But Imani was not a child to throw tantrums—she simply pressed her lips together, clutched Iris’ hand tighter, and swallowed her disappointment.
Aziel, on the other hand, couldn’t bear the constant silence that swallowed his home. Though work kept him busy, each time he returned, the emptiness pressed harder against him. No Imani running to greet him. No Iris’ quiet presence to soften the atmosphere. The house echoed with loneliness, and for the first time, Aziel
