Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 31 - Chapitre 40

She remained silent for a few moments after Mazen’s mother’s question, then let out a short, hollow laugh that held no amusement whatsoever. “Why would he even call?” Mazen’s mother frowned. “What do you mean?” Asia raised her eyes to her. They were exhausted, but there was a trace of bitterness in them. “I mean that everyone is acting as though this has something to do with them.” A tense silence settled over the room. “Everyone is worried about the baby… everyone asks about the baby… everyone talks about the baby…” She swallowed with difficulty. “But no one has asked me what I’m going to do.” “Asia…” Salma said gently. But Asia didn’t stop. She turned directly toward Mazen’s mother. “Your son was the first person to tell me that this pregnancy was a problem.” The woman looked slightly uncomfortable, while Asia’s mother immediately realized where the conversation was heading. “Asia, not now.” Asia shook her head stubbornly. “No. Now.” She looked back at Mazen’s moth

Fatma settled into the back seat of the car, placing her handbag beside her while holding her phone to her ear. She watched the road through the window, but her mind wasn’t on the trees and buildings passing by. It was with the girl she was heading toward. She sighed. “Yes, we’ll meet at the doctor’s. She refused to let me come by her place first.” Mazen’s voice came from the other end, accompanied by a short exhale. “Don’t you notice that she keeps trying to push us away?” Fatma lowered her head slightly. The truth was, she had noticed it for some time now. Ever since Asia left the hospital, almost. She listened, smiled occasionally, and spoke politely, but she maintained a very clear distance from everyone. A distance that wouldn’t allow anyone to get closer than she wanted. “I’ve noticed. I became even more certain when she returned the money you sent her.” Mazen’s brows immediately drew together. “She returned the money?” “Yes.” She paused before continuing. “Her

The following morning, Asia stepped out of her room with slow, heavy footsteps, stifling a wide yawn behind her hand. It was still much earlier than her usual waking time, but Salma had promised to come early that morning so they could go together to the new apartment and start arranging and preparing it, making it ready to live in over the next few days. The apartment was unusually quiet. The first golden rays of sunlight slipped through the windows, casting warm streaks across the floor, while sleep still clung stubbornly to her heavy eyes. When the doorbell rang, she didn’t think much of it. She automatically assumed Salma had arrived earlier than expected. She walked toward the door in her pink silk pajamas, her short hair slightly tousled around her face from sleep. Then she opened the door, still only half awake. Her smile vanished instantly. She took a small step backward. A remarkably large man stood before her, broad-shouldered and heavily built, carrying several l

She moved away from Salma, who was busy arranging the kitchen, putting everything back in its place as though she were trying to restore order to the entire world all at once. Asia offered only a few scattered helping hands. More than anything, she offered silence. She stepped into the living room, which still looked only half-finished, then sat down on the sofa with a faint weariness. She took a deep breath, as though trying to calm something inside her that couldn't be seen. Her phone was still in her hand. She caught sight of a message notification. It was from him, just as she had expected—and somehow felt. He was reminding her when to take her vitamins, down to the smallest, most precise details, as usual, with that habit of paying attention to everything concerning her... Or concerning the baby. Her fingers paused over the screen for a long second. Then she closed it quickly, as though afraid of lingering too long over something she had no right to become attached to

Silence settled over the room for several long seconds. The doctor looked between them, while Mazen remained focused on Asia, the concern still evident on his features despite his attempt to hide it. The doctor finally sighed and said gently, "Anyway, let's make sure the baby is okay first." Asia nodded silently. She got up and walked toward the examination bed, moving slowly and carefully. The nurse helped her lie down while the doctor sat in front of the ultrasound machine. As for Mazen, he remained standing at first, hesitating for a moment before the doctor gestured toward him. "You can come closer if you want." He approached without a word. And for the first time since the beginning of the appointment, he felt genuinely nervous. Everything that had happened over the past month—all the arguments, the confusion, and the questions swirling inside his head—suddenly faded into the background in front of that small screen. The doctor spread the cold gel over Asia's stomach. Sh