After their bath, Nora Fatehi and Joy lay down early.
Joy stared wide-eyed at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. She turned her small body toward her mother—and saw that her eyes were damp.
Sensing her daughter was still awake, Nora Fatehi quickly turned away and wiped her tears. She forced a smile. "Joy, why aren't you sleeping? Do you want Mommy to tell you a story?"
Joy shook her head. She reached out her chubby little hand and hugged Nora Fatehi tightly. Then she planted a firm kiss on her forehead and said with all seriousness, "Mommy, I love you. Way more than I love Daddy."
At those words, Nora Fatehi's tears burst forth like a broken dam—she couldn't stop them. They poured down her cheeks, and she broke down, holding Joy as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Joy was frightened and di
