Summary

In Chapter 26, Nasreen Baji allows Amal the afternoon off to thank Amal for tending to her headaches. Amal spends her free afternoon venturing to the market Nabila mentioned. As she wanders through the abandoned market, Amal realizes that it is Hazarabad, the village from Fozia Auntie’s story about the lengths Jawad will go to achieve revenge. When Amal returns to Jawad’s estate nearly in tears, she hears Jawad yelling at Nabila about Amal’s disappearance. Amal realizes that Nabila tricked her into visiting the market, but Amal still announces herself just before Jawad strikes Nabila to save her. When Amal explains where she went, Jawad slaps her. Nasreen arrives, demanding that Jawad never touch Amal again. Jawad promises to select a suitably horrific punishment for Amal’s disrespectful disappearance.

Chapter 27 begins with Nasreen Baji advising Amal to remain within her chambers for...