BONUS
...
Mina's POV
When I arrived in this family, I was a stranger.
A woman without bearings, without support, without any real anchor.
Sometimes, I wonder if Alex's car didn't hit me that day…
or if I didn't simply jump.
Maybe I died at that moment.
And this life is nothing but a reprieve.
I thank God every day for putting this family in my path.
Without them, I would never have found my way home.
Without them, I would never have learned what it means to belong.
But the threats hanging over Esther…
they tighten my chest in an unbearable way.
That's why I suggested this marriage.
Some will say it's absurd.
That no man can protect a girl better than her parents.
But I know one thing:
the only one who can protect her without limits, without calculation, without fear…
will be her husband.
And coming here, to Palestine, is not an escape.
It's a strategy.
A shield.
A desperate attempt to save her.
Today, the house is silent.
Asael and Alex have gone to meet Esther's future in-laws.
For now, no one truly agrees…
but I feel it.
It will come.
Esther, meanwhile, is at that so-called "meeting."
If it can even be called a meeting.
I smile to myself at the thought.
We all know it's just a pretext.
A way for them to see each other.
To measure one another.
And to give us their opinion.
Even though, deep down, their opinion won't change anything.
I'm in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
Poor Esther… she didn't even have breakfast this morning.
I wonder if she at least ate something while she was there.
The kitchen door opens.
Esther.
She looks shaken.
Tired.
Drained.
She walks toward me without a word and wraps her arms around me.
A real hug.
The kind she only gives when she's not okay.
My heart tightens immediately.
— My darling… are you okay? Did everything go well?
She simply nods.
— Did you eat this morning?
She shakes her head no.
— Do you want something to eat?
— All I want… is to get back to my bed and sleep.
I smile despite myself.
With sleep, Esther lives a true love story.
I still wonder how she managed to wake up so early the other day.
— Alright. Let's do this: you go freshen up, wait for me, I'll finish dinner and we'll eat together.
She lifts her head to look at me.
— No, Mina… it's not necessary. I'm not hungry.
And… where are my parents?
— Your parents went out. They'll be back soon.
She squints, then a teasing smile appears on her face.
— Their outing today says a lot… Do you think we're bothering them, so they're going elsewhere?
I look at her, incredulous.
— Since when do you do technical inspections on your parents?
I give her a small affectionate tap.
She bursts out laughing and leaves the kitchen.
— Honestly, this girl… really…
A few minutes later, I go upstairs with a tray:
a glass of milk, some fruit, a bit of chocolate.
I know her too well.
When Esther says she won't eat… she really won't eat.
She has a real issue with food.
Sometimes, I feel like she's fighting with it.
I knock, then enter directly.
She's already in her pajamas.
Fixing her bed.
I glance at the clock: 2:59 p.m.
— Do you realize it's still early to go to sleep?
She sits on the bed.
— Yes… and this morning, I should never have left this bed.
At least I would've avoided all of this.
I walk over and sit beside her.
She rests her head on my lap, like she did when she was little.
I gently stroke her hair.
— Do you want to talk about it?
— No.
— Esther… tell me what's wrong.
— I don't know.
I frown.
— What do you mean, you don't know?
She sighs.
Silence settles for a few seconds.
Then she speaks.
She tells me everything.
The meeting.
The closeness.
The looks.
The tension.
And Malik.
Of course. Malik.
I know about their relationship.
Secret.
Fragile.
I know I should talk to her parents about it…
but it's not my place to shatter that truth.
When she finishes, I stay silent for a moment.
My heart tightens painfully in my chest.
— My darling… sometimes, when everything becomes confusing, it's not because you're doing something wrong.
It's because your heart is growing faster than your mind can understand.
It's a calling.
Don't fight it.
But don't let it destroy you either.
Her breathing becomes slower.
More regular.
She's fallen asleep.
I slide a pillow gently under her head.
I watch her for a few seconds.
Then I quietly take the untouched tray…
and leave without making a sound.
As I close the door, my heart tightens again.
Protecting Esther…
no matter the cost.