Chapter10:

_Leah's POV_ Later that afternoon, while Tariq was outside tending to chores around the house, I found myself in the kitchen with Susan. I offered to help her prepare dinner, not wanting to sit around doing nothing when they had already done so much for me. “I can chop the vegetables,” I said and grabbed a knife from the counter. Susan smiled warmly at me. “Are you sure? You should be resting, Leah.” “I am sure,” I insisted. “I need something to keep my hands busy.” She didn’t argue with me after that, and soon enough, we were working side by side, preparing the meal. It felt... nice. There was a certain ease to being in Susan’s presence. No judgment, no pressure. Just warmth. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed this simple, domestic normalcy. It felt like... family.  I was slicing carrots when Susan suddenly spoke up. “You’re a good girl, Leah. Your mother would be proud of you.” Her words took me by surprise. I hadn’t thought about my mother in such a long time, not like this, an