Soon, the child skipped off and began to bounce a ball in the apartment. The nanny made as if to stop her, but Malik shook his head. He watched indulgently as she played among valuable artworks and antiques, unconcerned about the material things, seeing only his daughter’s happiness.

He’s been lonely, Amira thought to herself. He has so much love to give. He shouldn’t be alone.

With a sister’s bluntness, she asked, “When are you going to settle down, Malik? Laila needs a mother. And if you found a woman to marry, you could find a way to live together openly. As a family.’’

He paused, as if considering the wisdom of speaking frankly. Then he smiled, a shy melting smile that tugged at her heart. “I don’t want to say anything just yet … it’s too soon. But I have met someone. She’s had a hard life, Amira … and she reminds me of Laila. If things work out, then I’ll have some news for you.”

She threw her arms around him. “I’m so happy, Malik. And I’ll ‘think positive.’ My psychology text says that positive thinking can accomplish a great deal.” He laughed. “Soon, I’ll have to be careful what I say in your presence. You’ll be analyzing all my secret thoughts.” Then he grew reflective again. “And you? Is marriage treating you well? Is Ali a good husband?”

“He … I … yes. Everything is fine.”

Suddenly, Malik was hard-eyed. “Is he mistreating you? Tell me the truth, Amira. If he is, I’ll put an end to it, I swear.”

“What are you talking about? Everything’s fine. Ali treats me very well. Everyone says so. And he adores our son.”

“Well, then. Good.” The moment passed. Much as she wished for harmony between Malik and Ali, they simply did not like one another. Part of it, she thought, was Malik’s natural older-brotherly protectiveness. Part, Amira had to admit, was a kind of envy on Ali’s part. Malik, younger than Ali, was making a name and a fortune more or less on his own. Ali, although richer by a considerable margin, had traded shamelessly on influence, inside information, and capital borrowed against his father’s inexhaustible resources.

Though the bad feelings between Ali and her brother caused Amira some distress, they also gave her a great deal of freedom. All she had to do was say she was spending the day with Malik, and she was free to do as she pleased.

O

A few hours later, she was seated in a sidewalk cafe. The sky was blue, the sunlight was warm, the day seemed magical. “I wonder what any of us would be like,” she said, “without all this money.”