Chapter 147

Ayleen wiped her tears with the sleeve of her shirt as she walked toward the end of the basement. Her mind was racing with guilt and apprehension, the memories from the journal still swirling painfully in her head.

“Ayleen beti!” Bua’s breathless voice called out to her. She turned to see the older woman rushing toward her, her face pale and frantic.

“He is back!” Bua exclaimed, her voice shaking.

Ayleen frowned in confusion. “Who?”

“Murat… Murat Sahab!” Bua stammered, making Ayleen’s heart drop.

Her eyes widened as the words sank in. “But he wasn’t supposed to return until Sunday!” she muttered, panic beginning to creep into her voice.

“I don’t know,” Bua replied, wringing her hands. “But he’s been looking for you for an hour, and Amir told him you’re in the basement.”

Ayleen froze on the first step of the staircase, trying to calm the frantic woman. “Bua, stop panicking. How would he know I was in that room? I’ll tell him I was looking for