you left Devikota, but you were so angry, so fierce….” She paused for breath. “Truth is, my darling, I feared all three of us would starve to death if he did not bring us food. Besides, he was always threatening.…”

“You did your best, maa, and I know you allowed him to use you only for the food,” Ishvari interrupted her gently.

“Did you know your father was planning to go to the Melukhhan Council with evidence of Andhaka and Ghora’s corruption? That’s why they killed him, Ghora told me everything, he loved to watch my face go white with pain when he poured his filth into my ears.”

“Hush, maa, do not trouble yourself now,” Ishvari said, her own sadness rising.

Sumangali drew a shuddering breath. “Always better to k...

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