Chapter 38
Summary
- Yara wakes up on her tenth wedding anniversary and reflects on her marriage while looking through old photos of herself and her husband, Fadi.
- She hesitates over posting a picture and a loving caption to Instagram, questioning who the display of affection is really for since Fadi isn't on the platform, and eventually deletes the draft.
- After dropping off her daughters at school, Yara treats herself to a coffee and receives a text from Fadi, hinting at a surprise he has planned for their anniversary.
- Yara fantasizes about the possibility of the surprise being a romantic getaway and begins to prepare for the evening, holding on to hope that Fadi has planned something extraordinary.
- Fadi returns home with roses and a gift for Yara, who has dressed up for the occasion, and they head to a steakhouse for dinner.
- During dinner, Fadi gives Yara her gift—a bracelet with a hamsa pendant. Yara feels a mix of disappointment and hope as she had wanted a travel surprise, but appreciates the gesture.
- A tense conversation ensues as Yara expresses her wish for a trip, and Fadi perceives her desires as selfish and unappreciative of their privileged life, leading to an awkward silence for the remainder of the dinner.
- Back home, Fadi breaks the news that he's going to Vegas for a convention and dismisses Yara's desire to join him, framing it as impractical and stating she wouldn't enjoy it.
- Feeling silenced and ignored, Yara retreats to bed, but is too agitated to sleep and instead goes to her studio to express her emotions through her art and writing.