The week that followed was pure torment for Payal. She moved through our house like a ghost — quiet, jumpy, her beautiful eyes constantly darting toward the calendar. Every time Sunday was mentioned, even in passing, her shoulders would tense and she would clutch our baby a little tighter. She stopped initiating any talk about Hassan, but I could see the fear eating her alive.

One night, after we put Neetu to sleep, she curled into my arms in bed and whispered, “I’m scared, Sameer. Really scared. Last Sunday… when I saw it… I couldn’t stop thinking about it all week. What if he asks for more this time? What if I can’t say no strongly enough?”