Avanya flinched, guilt flashing across her face, but Sumaya couldn't stop.
"You're telling me we have nowhere to go, no one to turn to—but what about the police? What about—"
"It's not that simple," Avanya cut in, her voice tight with suppressed emotion. "If it were, don't you think I would've done it by now?"
Sumaya shook her head, her frustration giving way to helplessness. "Then what? We just sit here and wait for him to kill us?"
Avanya reached for her again, her hands firm but gentle as they cupped Sumaya's face. "Listen to me, sweetheart." Her voice was thick with pain but also fierce with determination. "I know it's hard for you to understand, but I stayed because I love you more than anything in this world. Every choice I've made has been to protect you." Her fingers trembled as they brushed against her daughter's bruised cheek. "And I will do anything to keep you safe, Sumaya. Anything."
