Zainab nodded, her heart pounding. “I want to know.”

Yusha’s voice was steady, but there was a tremor of emotion beneath it. “Once, I had everything—a family, wealth, status. I was a merchant, respected and admired. But I lost it all in a single night. A fire destroyed everything I owned, and my family… they didn’t survive. I couldn’t save them.”

Zainab reached out, her hand finding his. “I’m so sorry.”

He squeezed her hand gently. “Grief consumed me. I became a beggar not because I had no choice, but because I didn’t want to go on living. I thought I was cursed, meant to wander alone.” He paused, his voice breaking. “Until I met you.”