For my aunt, Mumtahina (Ruma) Jannat, whose star sits beside the moon.

For the two rays of light she was forced to leave behind, and all children surviving the impacts of domestic* abuse.

And for my mum and Zak. Always.

Skip Notes

* The author of this story does not like to link the word “domestic” to the word “abuse.” This is because the word “domestic” implies that abuses happening inside the home should remain private, even when they constitute a crime, while also making many people too embarrassed to report abuses. However, as the prevailing term, she has used it throughout this book for clarity.