A door clicked as the lock released, and it swung open. A lovely blonde woman stood framed in the doorway for a moment before she came into the room, followed by a dark young man who closed the door quickly behind them. The man had to be Noelle's brother, he had the same dark skin, dark eyes, and elegant features. Noelle gasped and went running to them. They both hugged her tightly and when she moved, I saw the dark bruise on Noelle's face.
"Mom, I don't want to go back to Egypt. I don't want to marry some fifty-year-old man I've never met. I can't believe Daddy expects me to comply with this arranged marriage. Just because he wants to move back to Egypt doesn't mean we should all have to go. I won't do it! I won't go! I want to stay here in the States and go to college like all my friends!"
"Samia, stop! I won't let that happen. I've given your brother money and instructions I want you both to follow exactly. You're leaving tonight. You aren't going to be forced to marry anyone."
