Chapter 9: PARIS, WEDDING DAY

For the remaining hours of that day, Mariam felt a profound loneliness. Despite their different origins, she had come to accept Leah as her sister.  The house felt emptier without her presence, and everyone began to miss her more than they expected.  Leah's decision to leave was sudden and, for some, incomprehensible. They wished she had stayed longer, healed from her traumas, and remained happy in their company. Now, with her gone, their concerns grew with each passing day, wondering how she was faring. Meanwhile, Leah had already boarded her flight and arrived in Paris, France, after approximately twelve hours. "Thank God for a safe flight. There was no turbulence or delays," Leah murmured, heaving a sigh of relief as she stepped into the bustling airport.  She took in her new surroundings, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Having never left her hometown in her twenty-five years, everything felt fresh and unfamiliar.  She couldn't wait to see what this new phase had in sto