Once Zera had settled in the sitting room after freshening up, silence filled the house. Egen had withdrawn to his bedroom, while Asha was with the children in theirs.
Light chatter went on until Walda noticed Yara was no longer in the kitchen she must have gone to her room.
"I need to talk to you about something a bit too sensitive for others to hear," Walda said, setting her teacup on the stool. Though she forced a smile, anxiety was written all over her face.
"What is it?" Zera asked, leaning in, her eyes fixed on Walda.
"It's about Darian," Walda said, glancing around the room.
"Perhaps we should talk in the study it's more private," Zera suggested, standing up. Walda followed, a faint scoff curling on her lips.
Inside the study, Walda bolted the door and sat opposite Zera. Their eyes met, and Zera smirked.
"So, what's the new gossip?" she asked, resting her arms on the table.
"Yara told me today that Darian has been trying to force himself on her and he almost succeeded," Walda said, exhaling deeply as she folded her hands together.
Zera looked down at the table, then back up at Walda and burst into laughter.
"Is that all?" she asked, leaning back and adjusting her hair.
"Yes. Doesn't it bother you, Mom?" Walda pressed, leaning forward, her tone sharp.
"Mom, think about it could there be something we don't know?" she added, locking eyes with Zera.
"Well, I don't know about that, but Darian is a good friend of mine," Zera replied calmly.
"I also heard rumors that you're carrying his child," Walda said, her tongue rolling against her cheek as she looked away briefly.
"That's complete nonsense," Zera giggled, dismissing the claim, and told Walda to go get some rest. Once Walda left, Zera poured herself a drink from a wine bottle stored in the study cellar.
She sipped slowly, savoring every mouthful in silence. When the bottle was empty, she returned it to the kitchen and began preparing snacks and hearty meals using the charcoal stoves reserved for rainy days.
No one dared to leave their rooms to ask her anything. She cooked late into the night before finally retreating to her bedroom.
In the early hours of the morning, Darian arrived and tapped on Zera's window to announce himself. She got up, opened the front door, and let him in. After exchanging quiet greetings, both freshened up and dressed. Though the others could hear their movements, it was too early for anyone to get up.
As dawn broke, Zera knocked on everyone's doors, inviting them to breakfast. Yara's heart raced, and her left eye began twitching. She stepped outside and murmured a prayer, pacing anxiously.
"Lebadi, Lebadi, what are you trying to tell me?" she whispered, trying to steady her breath, though her heart pounded harder.
She went back to her room and began searching through her old books. Pulling out one, she found a drawing of a human face one eye held a basket of fresh food, the other was filled with crawling creatures.
Yara closed her eyes, took deep breaths, and after a few moments, a sense of calm washed over her. She carefully returned the drawing to the book and tidied up the space.
At the table, Zera led the prayer and urged everyone to eat heartily, especially Yara. Silence hung thickly between them.
Not long after, Lode the area chief and an old friend of Zera arrived carrying what looked like a book. Yara ignored him, though he glanced her way several times. After some light chatter, Zera cleared the table, and Walda followed her to the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Walda demanded, sneering slightly.
"Nothing just family time," Zera replied, avoiding eye contact.
They both returned to the table. The silence resumed. Asha excused herself with the children, leaving only the others behind.
Egen grinned at Yara, then turned his gaze toward Zera.
"Stand up," Zera suddenly commanded, her tone sharp and cold.
Yara rose silently.
"Pack your things and get out of my house now," Zera barked. Darian smirked and took Zera's hand.
Lode leaned back uneasily, eyes darting around. Egen chuckled, and Walda frowned.
"Mother, what's happening?" Walda asked, standing up.
"This whore has been spreading lies in the neighborhood that I'm pregnant and mistreating her," Zera spat, scoffing before breaking into a laugh.
Yara stayed quiet.
"Mother, you must be mistaken I haven't heard any such rumors," Walda protested, moving closer to Yara. But Yara subtly shifted to avoid contact.
Darian and Egen exchanged smug glances.
"Pass me the papers," Zera ordered. Lode handed them to Egen, who passed them to Yara.
With a sneer, Zera opened the book, pulled out Yara's birth certificate, and tore it into pieces.
"You can leave now no one will ever know about the children you failed to bear," she said coldly.
Yara asked about the inheritance Lelvin had left her an acre of land and some money.
Zera burst into laughter.
"What made you think my daughter would leave you anything?" she mocked.
Tears filled Yara's eyes. Walda quietly returned to her seat, saying nothing.
"Get out! Leave this house and never come back!" Zera screamed.