It had been days since the dinner confrontation, and I had settled into a routine of avoidance and quiet contemplation. This morning, with Athwa at work, I decided to dive into plans for restarting my pottery business. I had always found solace in my craft, and it was something that could anchor me during this turbulent time.

It has been almost a week since I returned and have been living here, but I had not seen that woman here. There was not even a mention of her or a trace of her. She was to marry him, after all.