“It was one thing to hurt me,” Ammi said. “He was never to lay a hand on my girls. I told him from the start—that was my line in the sand. Too bad he didn’t believe in lines. Once I saw the look on his face, the way he hovered over you…” Her eyes flashed with anger. “I knew it was him or us. I chose us.”
She sniffled before continuing.
“He’s out here too. Your father—or whatever’s left of him anyway. He was so delighted when I bought him that stupid boat. An early birthday present, I told him. Your aunt helped me put a big red bow on it and everything. I made him his favorite breakfast. Urged him to head out onto the water. Take a spin. Left him a bottle of his favorite whiskey, a picnic basket of his favorite snacks in the cooler. It’s a shame when boats crash. It’s a shame when someone is too drunk and drugged to stop themselves from drowning. It’s tragic, really. Thankfully, your father had made plenty of enemies. One of them helped me ensure he would never be found.”
Hena tried to process her mother’s words.
Ammi had killed twice. For her. Khala too.
“You hired Reza,” Hena said.
“I knew your attendance at this wedding was a risk,” her mother said. “It’s why I held off for so long. Time was ticking, though. I had to see you one last time. Lulu thought tracking you through the wedding app would be enough, but we needed you safe as possible. Khaled’s friend worked in security, so I hired him to keep you safe.”
“Then fired him right when we needed him.” Khala gave Ammi a reproachful look.
“He stuck around anyway, didn’t he?” Ammi said defensively. “Listen, Hena, I know you fancy the boy, but I was not thrilled with his unprofessional behavior.”
“Nonsense,” Khala said. “Reza was quite the gentleman. He went from wedding guest to bodyguard without a second thought. It was the perfect cover. Poor Khaled. He was less than thrilled about the subterfuge.”
“Well, we needed someone to look out for you,” Ammi said.
“Seems he may have taken this a bit too seriously?” Khala shot Hena a knowing look.
Hena flushed.
“I don’t like it. Let me be clear.” Ammi gave her a stern look. “Mixing business with matters of the heart.”
“Don’t be such a prude,” Khala retorted. “If they get married, they could say you arranged it!”
“Huh. I suppose you’re right,” her mother mused. “If you have a daughter, could you give her my name? I’ve heard Frida is coming back in style.”
“Ammi!”
“Fine.” She harrumphed. “Middle name, then. Children these days give no regard to their elders.”
“Thatwasa bit rude, Hena.” Her aunt shot her a look.
Hena leveled a look at them. “Only the two of you would be matchmaking while we’re covering up a murder.”
Her mother snorted. Khala started chuckling. Suddenly, Hena was laughing too. It was laughter borne of grief mingled with incredulity. She laughed until tears streamed down her face.
When she wiped her eyes, she felt lighter. Freer.
She wheeled her mother out to the car. With the last of the lighter fluid, she doused Haris’s SUV. They’d light it right before they departed—looking up at the sky, the darkness was fading, a hint of light glowing against the horizon—and they needed to get going. Soon.
“We’ll have to plant some rumors for why Haris decided to go off grid indefinitely,” her mother said.
“It’s not a crime to not want to be found,” Khala said wryly.
“We have a long ride back. I’m sure we’ll think of something.” Her mother studied the cabin pensively. “I’m glad everything worked out. Not everyone can say their dying wish came true.”
“The wedding was a dying wish too, Ammi. You can’t overuse it.”
“My dying wish was for closure. I wasn’t a good mother. I know that. There was so much I couldn’t give you. I was too broken by the time you arrived. But I could give Lulu a big wedding like she’d always dreamed of. Now I can have this. I can leave this world knowing you are safe.”
Her words hit harder than Hena expected. It was what Lulu had said. What Khala had said.
Closure.