Fadel’s POV

Moisture gathered in her eyes, turning them glassy, reflective. She looked up too late to stop the tears from spilling over.

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “Every time I try to get married, something ruins it.”

Her shoulders drew inward, as if the words themselves weighed too much.

“First it was death,” she went on, a broken sound slipping out of her throat, “and now this.”

A tear slid down her cheek. Then another.

She wiped at her face quickly, like she ...