Chapter 5

Consciously, she draped the shawl she always carried with her more tightly around her. She was religious, not perfect, but she always wore modest clothes, carrying a shawl if not a headscarf. Ten minutes later, a man in a gray blazer suit stepped into the room. Ayleen immediately rose to her feet. He was maybe around fifty or more and had gray eyes, dark hair, and a pale skin tone, just like his father used to describe, in their earlier days spent together in Pakistan. Growing up, they were very close to one another.

The moment his gaze landed on Ayleen, a flash of surprise took over his features before settling into a small smile.

“Please keep sitting, beta (child),” he said, coming forward and gesturing for her to sit down in the seat next to him.

Ayleen, not expecting such a humble welcome, motioned her head in agreement, settling down in the same spot as before.

He smiled. “The last time I saw you, you were just a year old baby, too attached to your mothe