The two young girls were crying one clutching a snack and a crumpled paper in her hands, the other running toward Walda, leaving behind small, blood-like footprints.
Walda bent down, scooping the child into her arms. Her gaze sharpened as it traced the trail across the floor. The other sister followed, pressing herself against Walda's waist. Walda gently tapped her head, whispering for her to calm down.
She followed the prints to Zera's room. The door was slightly ajar. Walda's pulse quickened. She placed the younger girl down, urging her to stay still, then pressed her fingertips against the door and slowly pushed it open.
The sight froze her.
Asha lay on the ground, facing the door. Blood streaked her mouth. Her cheeks were wet with tears, her breaths shallow.
"I'm sorry, sister," Asha tried to whisper, her voice faint. Scattered tins of herbs littered the floor around her
"It's alright, sister. I'll clean you up," Walda murmured, folding her palm against Asha's face. She picked a pillow and placed it under Asha's head.
She rose quickly, ran to the kitchen, and fetched a small basin of water. After shutting the front door, she mopped away every trace of blood leading from the sitting room to Zera's bedroom.
Returning, she hushed the children, stripped them of their stained clothes, and wiped them clean with a damp cloth. Then she hastily rearranged the herbs, tucking the tins back into their places.
Asha was next. Walda wiped her, changed her dress, and scented the room. With effort, she helped her Asha to her feet and dragged her gently toward her own chamber as Yara's room was too cluttered with the kid's stuff. In the kitchen again, Walda mixed a drink of iron tonic and carried it back. Asha drank, then fell into a restless sleep. Walda stayed behind, distracting the children with stories.
Meanwhile, at Lode's office, Zera signed two documents and handed one across the desk. They exchanged smiles and rose.
"Get back to me once you leave his place," Lode requested.
"I will. Let me get going," Zera replied. She walked out, stepped into the cart waiting for her, and signaled it forward. Her eyes sharpened as she stared out the window, her lower lip curling now and then.
Darian reached over and squeezed her hand.
"It will be fine," he muttered, curling his tongue inside his mouth.
Elsewhere, Zayun slipped out of school during lunch, retreating to his usual solitude.
"How can a grown man do such a thing to a young woman?" he muttered, fists clenching. He paced around the tree, sighing heavily, then leaned against it for some seconds.
"I should stop coming here," he whispered before turning back.
At the Akia household, a warm knock roused Mrs. Akia from her nap. She shuffled to the door.
"Who is it?" she asked, breathing through her teeth.
"Saira, madam," the maid replied, lowering her gaze. Mrs. Akia opened the door, her eyes were bleary with creases on her cheeks. Her hair was a bit messy.
Saira handed her a sealed document.
"Mrs. Zera asked me to bring this to you or sir. She's outside waiting."
Mrs. Akia wrinkled her nose, unsealed it, and skimmed a few lines. Her eyes widened.
"Did anyone else see this?" she demanded.
"No, madam. I brought it as it was," Saira answered.
Dismissed, the maid left. Mrs. Akia hurried into her husband's chamber across her own room, jaws tight. She flung the door open. Aki, startled, rose from his bed, adjusting his clothing.
"What's wrong, dear?" he asked.
She handed him the document. Pacing, biting her nails, she demanded.
"How long have you been doing this?"
Aki frowned as he read, then smirked.
"How can a grown woman like Yara file for defilement?" he scoffed, folding the document. "These are lies. They want to ruin my business."
He reached for her hand as she sobbed.
"I'll prove this false," he assured her, pulling her into an embrace. After a few minutes, he left to meet Zera.
She had refused to enter the main house and instead sat on the balcony, a light grey scarf draped over her shoulders. Darian waited in the cart.
"Good afternoon," Aki greeted, taking a seat.
"Good afternoon," Zera replied with quiet firmness.
"I must say, your letter is bold," Aki remarked, leaning back.
"Well, you are even bolder trying to hatch eggs in my own business," Zera retorted, her eyes roaming over his home.
"Beautiful house," she added lightly.
Aki narrowed his eyes.
"So what do you want? I doubt you are here to drag me to court." His right foot tapped steadily against the floor.
"Of course not. We are business people. That paper finalizes our next deal." Zera rested her hands neatly on her lap.
"Your daughter already stole from me if that's what this is about," Aki shot back, foot stilled.
"Well, isn't that payment for the services you wanted from her? What did you think I raised her to be?" Zera giggled.
"The money she took included your share," Aki said flatly, exhaling as he laced his fingers together.
Zera widened her smile, her eyes locking firmly on Aki.
"You'll have to shift your shop out of Laoni," she said evenly, "or we drag this further."
Aki frowned, then let out a short, dry laugh.
"And why should I do that?" he asked, resuming the steady tap of his foot against the floor.
"You tried to force yourself on Yara in your own office," Zera shot back, her voice cutting through the air like a blade.
She leaned forward slightly, her smile never fading.
"I've already spoken to the landlord. You must leave before this month ends."
With that, Zera rose to her feet. She offered Aki one last smile and turned to walk away.
Aki stood as well, his jaw tightening. His eyes narrowed, following Zera until she had disappeared beyond the doorway.