*
"Why?" Noor asked softly. Fareed stared up at her, asking himself the exact same question in his mind.
Why?
Why didn't he want her to go? He knew there was no possibility of her escaping from the mansion, for the level of security he had placed on the house was unparalleled all over the city of Sana'a. There was simply no way that she could simply walk out of the house of her own accord.
But the threat of her leaving had touched a soft spot in his heart. Her statement had stirred a memory in him which he'd long since buried and shelved away. But now, she had brought the memory back. Her words had reminded him of dark and stormy nights; of a little boy sitting frightened on his bed, calling out for his mother as he clutched his blanket fiercely.
"Why are you keeping me here?" No
