Chapter 29 · Chapter 29

Sulaiman did not reach for the folio. Instead, he took half a step closer to the low brass table, his jaw tightening as he pressed two manicured fingers against the seal at the bottom of the vellum. It was a formal deposition—an affidavit prepared by my uncle’s advocates, drafted to register Talal’s default with the chamber before the week closed, leaving a blank line for my witness to seal his ruin.

"Think carefully, Mariam," the envoy said, his voice dropping into that measured, patronizing cadence men of his office reserved for women they assumed were acting out of pride rather than calculation.

"Your father’s house will not shield you if the liquidation proceeds without your compliance. Sign the deposition, confirm that Talal Al-Zahrani failed to appear, and let the family settle what remains of his estate in order. Your silence buys him nothing. It only drags your own standing into the ash."

I did not answer him.

I set my finjan down upon the copper tray with a dry, muted click.