The morning had brought a softer light into the house. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, slipping across the pale marble floors and warming the cool rooms with a faint golden glow. In the dining room, Amina was arranging breakfast onto a tray for Ishmal. Steam from a cup of coffee curled lazily into the air. She had been awake for some time, but the conversation from the previous night still lingered at the back of her mind, refusing to let her settle.

She picked up the tray and turned toward the stairs just as Ishmal came down.