“No, it isn’t. It’s Bram’s and my fault. Mine because I didn’t know how else to do this, because I wavered when I should have been stronger. And his, because . . . well, because he was him. And society’s fault for teaching him that it was his right because he was a man and a prince, and God knows what other unearned privilege.”

Ashna pressed her hands to her ears, tears dripping from her beautiful, tortured eyes. Shobi thought she knew what it meant to hurt, but she couldn’t have imagined this pain.

“I don’t give a shit about society. I don’t care. How can you make this about your damn crusade against the patriarchy?” She turned and looked at the door, as though gauging her distance from it. “You’re right. I don’t have the strength for this, for more lies. You were both right after all. I am too weak.”

With that she walked to the front door and out of the house.

“Ashi, beta, come back,” Mina called after her, following her to the front porch.

Ashna spun around and faced Mina. “You wanted me to stop believing the easiest thing to believe. There, you got your wish.”

Shobi stopped next to Mina. “I know this isn’t easy. But hear me out, please. Just give me a chance to explain.”

Ashna threw her head back and made a sound that broke Shobi’s heart.

“It’s okay,” Shobi whispered, but Ashna heard her, because she wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m not leaving, Ashna. I’m sorry I did before. No matter what happens, I’m never leaving you again.”

Ashna’s arms tightened around herself.

“Come inside, Ashi,” Mina said.

Mina’s voice unfroze her where Shobi’s had not. She turned her desperately helpless eyes on Mina. “I can’t. Please. I can’t be here right now.”

Shobi and Mina watched, as Ashna made her way down the driveway and stood there staring at the house Bram had built.

“I’m sorry.” At long last she looked directly at Shobi, horrid guilt in her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I just need some time. Please.” With that she walked away, legs unsteady, a baby learning to stand, a toddler learning to walk, a teenager backing away from a parent.

Shobi sat down on the front step, wishing she could burn down this bloody house Bram had put more thought into than he’d ever put into the child who’d loved him. “How did I let everything go so terribly wrong?”

Mina sat down beside her and rubbed her shoulder. “It’s going to be okay. She’s stronger than we think. At least now you can put the lies behind you.”

Chapter Thirty

Mina’s arm was wrapped around Shoban and she was rubbing her shoulder. The touch made Shoban’s stomach churn even as it made her feel grounded again.