The morning was still pale when the car stopped in front of the palace gates. A sleek, elegant sedan, from which stepped a woman with carefully pinned chestnut hair. A light beige coat covered her shoulders despite the country's heat. Giulietta Ferrano.
Her gaze slid over the high walls of the estate with restrained nervousness. Too many years had passed. Too many silences. Today, she had come to find her sister Lucia's daughters.
Nahia, busy brushing Amaya's hair, looked up at the call of a guard.
— A lady is asking to see you.
Nahia's heart skipped a beat. She exchanged a worried look with Amaya, who frowned.
— I'm coming with you, the younger one declared, standing up.
Together, they walked through the corridors. At the far end of the formal lounge, a woman awaited them. Tall figure, cream-colored coat, silk scarf tied around her neck. Her eyes sparkled, but it wasn't from the sun—it was emotion.
— Nahia. Amaya.
Her voice trembled. She seemed to search for her words… or for their resemblance.
— I'm Giulietta Ferrano. Your mother Lucia's sister.
A brutal silence. The two sisters stood frozen. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.
— May I… hug you? Giulietta asked in a trembling voice.
It was Amaya who stepped forward first. Giulietta held her tightly, for a long time, as if trying to catch up on every lost second. Then she approached Nahia. More hesitant, Nahia finally gave in, touched despite herself.
They sat down, all three of them, in a quiet room. Giulietta began to speak. About Lucia. About their childhood in Italy. Summers spent by the sea. The day her sister was disowned for choosing Taymâr. Her own silence, her shame, and finally, her desire to make amends. Years of searching. A discreet investigation.
— I hired a detective, she said. He traced the trail back to your uncle Ahmed. He told me everything. What you went through. What happened with his wife, Rokaya.
Giulietta paused, visibly moved.
— I couldn't wait any longer. I had to come find you myself. My only regret is having taken so long.
— I never stopped believing, she added, tears clinging to her lashes. And I came today… to offer you a home. A new beginning. In Italy.
A silence fell.
— I want you both to come live with me. Over there, you'll have peace, security. A softer life. I could take care of you the way I should have long ago.
Nahia lowered her eyes. Her stomach tightened. She glanced at Amaya.
— I can't leave, she whispered. Not now. Not like this.
— Why? Amaya asked, her voice already breaking. What's holding you here?
Nahia hesitated. She looked at Giulietta, then turned back to her sister.
— I have things to settle here. But you… you can go. You have the right. You can finally live, Amaya. Do what you love.
— I don't want another life without you, Nahia.
— You could enroll in a fashion school, over there. You've always dreamed of that—I know because I saw your notebook you tried to hide from me, I saw your sketches. You're talented. You could learn, create, build something. And maybe I'll join you one day, when all this is behind me.
— I'm not leaving without you, Amaya said firmly, her eyes shining. It's a no.
Giulietta watched them, heart tight. Then she sighed softly.
— I understand. It's not an easy decision. I won't force anyone. I'll give you two weeks. Think it over. I'll meet with your uncle Ahmed to arrange the necessary paperwork. Then I'll return to Como to prepare everything.
She stood slowly. Caressed Amaya's cheek, then reached for Nahia's hand.
— Two weeks, my darlings. After that… I hope to see you again.
---
Silence settled in the room as the door closed behind Giulietta. Amaya remained standing, her gaze fixed on nothing, her arms crossed tightly as if to shield herself. Nahia sat down slowly, her hands knotted on her knees.
— Do you really want to stay here? Amaya murmured without looking at her.
— It's not that simple, and you know it…
— Yes. It is. We either leave or we stay. Together. Not halfway, Nahia.
Nahia closed her eyes for a moment. She was exhausted. By everything. By the days piling up, by the secrets, by Assad's silences, by the walls of this palace that weighed on her more than they protected her.
— You think it's easy, Amaya? You think I want to stay here and get eaten alive by memories I can't even carry anymore?
— Then come. We have a way out, right in front of us. For the first time. And you want to shut the door?
— I'm not ready. If I leave now, it feels like I'm abandoning… everything I've endured. As if it all meant nothing.
— So what? You want to stay here and suffer a little more? Carry a burden that's not even yours?
Nahia clenched her jaw.
— You have a chance. You can make it. You've got talent, Amaya. You have a light in you. And you're still young enough to start over, to dream.
— And you, don't you?
— Me… I'm just tired. I have no dreams, no desires—except to see you happy.
Amaya came closer, knelt in front of her.
— I don't want a life away from you, Nahia. Even if it's softer over there. Even if it's bright. Without you, nothing shines.
Nahia's eyes filled with tears.
— You know… I can already picture you in that fashion school. Designing your outfits, surrounded by people who respect you, who really see you. You could be happy, Amaya. Truly happy.
— Maybe. But not without you.
They held each other tightly. Their hearts too full to speak.
The phone vibrated on the table. Nahia gently pulled away from Amaya, glanced at the screen: Giulietta.
— It's her! Amaya said quickly. Come on, pick up!
Nahia inhaled, answered.
— Hello… Giulietta?
— Ciao, Nahia. I wanted to call you before I boarded my flight. I met with your uncle Ahmed.
Nahia sat upright. Amaya froze.
— At first, he refused. He said it felt like losing you. He stayed silent… then he cried. He told me he hadn't cried since Taymâr died.
Nahia's throat tightened.
— But he understood. That you needed something else. He gave me your papers, Nahia. He signed everything. You can leave, legally.
Silence. Then Giulietta added, voice trembling:
— He made me promise one thing: to love you like my own daughters. As Lucia would have wanted.
Amaya let out a small cry, her eyes filled with tears.
— He said yes, Nahia! He really said yes!
— I'm heading back to Italy now. Take your time. You have two weeks. But the door… is wide open.
The call ended. Nahia remained frozen. Overwhelmed. Amaya was glowing with emotion. But in Nahia's heart… the weight of the choice was already settling in.
Why does leaving feel more painful than staying?