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Her friend knew she was changing the subject but answered anyway. “Not yet, but I have a lead. I’ll call you the minute I find something.” Lisa’s voice gentled. “Just do me a favor and let yourself be happy. Be brave enough to choose yourself for once. Promise?”

“I have to go,” Dina said and hung up before her friend could get in another word. Was Lisa right? Had she been sabotaging herself? This was the sort of question she should pose to her therapist, except she hadn’t been to therapy in years and was currently trapped in the middle of competing lies and deceptions, which meant she needed to focus. She would schedule some time for an emotional breakdown after she was back in Toronto.

No matter how well-intentioned Lisa was, Dina didn’t need her kindness, or her blame. She had more than enough of that to go around.

She turned off the lights and crawled into bed, even though it was barely 8:00 p.m.

Dina woke up early and made her way downstairs to the morning room, where their hosts had set up tables and a generous buffet breakfast. The room was blessedly quiet, and she enjoyed her coffee and pastry in silence. Today was her sister’s walima reception. Soon the house would be teeming with extra staff setting up tents, her sister’s team arriving to fix everyone’s hair and makeup, and photographers and videographers, plus Ambreen with her ever-present camera, the A girls, and the wedding planner, Kulsoom.

Yesterday had been difficult for many reasons, and while she would have appreciated a day to reflect on all that had happened, she was also relieved that today would be so hectic, she wouldn’t be able to dwell on anything for too long.

Her sister joined her in the breakfast room, eyes brightening when she caught sight of her. “Dina! Where were you yesterday? Everyone was wondering,” she said. Hania looked radiant, clearly in the first happy rush of newly married life. Something inside her softened at the sight.

“I went to the city to explore,” she lied. “I was really tired when I came home and went straight to bed.”

Hania took a seat, pouting. “You’re here for my wedding. You’re supposed to spend the day with family.”

Her sister was right, but Dina didn’t want to explain further. “I needed to get out of the house,” she said.

Hania shrugged. “Whatever. Arshad went out too, and Mom and Dad did some sightseeing, so I guess it was okay. Samir and I were busy too,” she said, waggling her eyebrows.

Dina smiled at her sister. She could imagine what the newlyweds were getting up to. “I’m happy for you,” she said sincerely. “Now let’s never talk about this again.”

Her sister laughed and got up to fill her plate with eggs and toast and pour a large cup of tea before taking a seat beside her. “Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you. Remember that speech I wanted you to give at the walima?”

Dina looked at her sister blankly. Hania had never mentioned a speech to her. “Not really?”

Hania wrinkled her brow. “I told Arshad about it, and he said you would be happy to come up with something. He said you were all set.”

Dina gritted her teeth. “Was this the same time you asked him to perform a dance for the mehndi?” she asked.

Hania nodded. “Anyways, I wanted to let you know you won’t have to make a speech at the walima after all. Arshad said he would do it instead. He’s better at this type of thing. Plus, Ambreen said he would play better for our live audience. You get it.” Her sister took a sip of her tea, staring at Dina over the rim.

Dina hated speaking in public, but she hated the thought of her ex-husband speaking at her little sister’s wedding more. “You want Arshad to make a speech.”

Hania nodded. “He’s super hyped about it. He promised he’ll have everyone in stitches. Plus, Ambreen said that since my demographic is mostly women, Arshad will play better for numbers. Give the people what they want and all.”

“You’d rather have Arshad paraded in front of your fans than your own sister?”

Hania stared at her. “I didn’t think you’d care. You always leave these sorts of things to him. That’s why he’s been doing all that schmoozing with Samir’s parents, plus trying to set up that deal overseas. Mom said he plays to his strengths and you play to yours. Like, being organized and reading and stuff.”

Her sister’s dismissive words made Dina’s ears burn. “I was recruited by five different law firms when I graduated. I’m an excellent lawyer.” She paused, thinking. She actually was an excellent lawyer, better than Arshad. So why had she sat back and allowed him to get all the attention? Yes, she hated the spotlight, and public speaking was difficult for her, networking a chore, but she could manage. Except Arshad had always been there, taking the lead, leaving her to do the heavy lifting behind the scenes. Maybe it wasn’t so much that she hated her job. Maybe what she was starting to resent was always being taken for granted.

“Whatever, Dina. If you’re so good, why don’t you quit Haq Law and do something for yourself for once?” Hania said.

She stared at her sister, replaying her words, so similar to what Lisa had said to her last night. “You’re right,” she said slowly. “I think I will, actually.”

Hania stared at her. “What? You’re not really going to quit Haq Law, are you?”

A door had opened between them, and Dina didn’t want it to close. She needed to tell someone what she was feeling. “I’m not happy,” she said quietly.

“What are you saying? I really can’t handle this right now,” Hania said, sounding panicked. “You’re happy! Of course you are.”

Dina shook her head. “I haven’t been happy in a long time. Not with work. Not with myself. Not with Arshad.” It was the closest she had come to admitting to someone in her family that all was not well in her marriage, and the shock on Hania’s face made her heart twinge. She should have confided in her little sister. Maybe then she wouldn’t be so surprised.

“But . . . you and Arshad are perfect!” Hania blurted out.

Dina actually laughed out loud at this. “When was the last time you saw us spend any length of time together?” she demanded.