Airam and Harry exchanged a soft glance, barely a second long, barely any movement, but it held more comfort than any words they could offer at that moment.
In Harry's eyes, Airam saw a quiet reassurance that stated I got you anytime and in Airam's eyes, Harry found gratitude she didn't know how to voice.
Something warm flashed between them, softening the walls she'd spent years building around her heart.
"Thank you, son," Airam's mother said gently. Harry smiled, nodded once, and slipped away to his room, knowing they needed family space more than they needed him hovering.
But peace never lasted long in the Gray household.
"Do we have to be afraid in our own house?" Aunty Maggi snapped the moment she heard his door close. "I always knew that husband of yours would be the death of this family."
"That's enough, Maggert." Airam's mother rose to her feet, her voice trembling but firm.
"I've watched you insult my children and said nothing because we are family. But no more. If you have something to say to me, say it to my face. Don't take it out on my children."
"Mother, please," Laila said quickly, worried her mother's blood pressure would spike. "Let it go."
"No," their mother insisted.
"Let her say the words she has kept quiet on for years. Yes, I left my husband twenty years ago. Yes, I never looked back. And yes, if you want to blame me for how my children turned out, say it."
Aunty Maggi lifted her chin. "Amira, we both know the truth. And the truth cannot stay hidden forever. One day, it will come to light." With that, she gathered her daughters and walked away to her side of the house.
Silence fell like a heavy blanket.
Laila and their mother wrapped their arms around Jane, who was shaking from everything that had happened.
Airam quietly gathered the children and guided them to their room. They were already on edge, their little faces pale with fear.
"Aunty, I'm scared," Mayo whispered. "Will those men come back for Jojo?"
"No," Airam said firmly, brushing hair from her forehead.
"I won't let that happen. And you saw Uncle Harry after the way he dealt with them, they're never coming back. Not ever."
It took time, soft humming, whisper stories, and gentle handholding, but finally she coaxed them to sleep. When she stepped back into the living room, her mother and sisters were still sitting on the couch, arms looped around each other in quiet exhaustion.
Airam walked toward them with a forced grin. "I want some hugs too," she announced, sliding into their embrace. They gave her sad, bitter smiles.
The truth was simple and painful: the three of them shared one thing in common, partners who had brought them nothing but heartbreak.
Their wounds were different but familiar. And though Airam had never married or even dated, she had grown up witnessing their suffering day after day.
It was enough to know their pain. Enough to understand it. Enough to carry it with them.