Chapter 174

She thought of the whispers that followed her in markets, the sidelong glances from neighbors who pretended politeness but never quite hid their curiosity, the way every casual mention of her history felt like salt pressed into an open wound. Moosa’s face changed for a fraction of a second, something flickering behind his eyes that might have been regret or defiance, but he did not loosen his hold, only stepped closer until she could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing against her skin.

Moosa jerked her towards him, “You are still in no position to demand anything from me, Roshanay,” he stated with anger oozing out of his eyes. His anger was a shield, and she had seen what lay behind it once before. His jaw clenched so tightly the muscle jumped under his skin, and the familiar hardness had returned to his features, the same look that once made her shrink back in fear now filled her with a strange mix of fury and dread. His fingers dug into her arm just enough to rem