That evening, Hassan came to her house.
Aleezeh didn't waste time.
"Where were you the night my mother died?"
Hassan looked surprised.
"Why?"
"Just answer."
"I was looking for evidence."
"Evidence of what?"
"Your mother was investigating something."
"What?"
"The house owner was involved in a financial scheme."
Aleezeh remembered the photograph.
"And you?"
"I was helping your mother."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you were grieving."
Aleezeh shook her head.
"You should have trusted me."
"I was trying to protect you."
"You can't protect someone by hiding the truth from them."
Hassan remained silent.
Then he took out an envelope.
"Your mother left this for you."
Aleezeh opened it.
It was a letter.
Her mother's handwriting filled the page.
My daughter, if you are reading this, don't let anger choose your future. You may feel that you owe someone revenge, but you owe yourself a life worth living.
Aleezeh's eyes filled with tears.
At the bottom was one final sentence:
Find the truth. Then choose justice over hatred.
Aleezeh folded the letter.
Now she knew what she had to do.