Shaghaf: I’ll take revenge for my mother and myself, and I’ll make them apologize for all the disgrace I endured in my life.
Mariam: How will you even find them?
Shaghaf: Mom wrote about them—she said they’re a wealthy, powerful family, so anyone can track them down.
Mariam: And you think you can just locate any rich family? There are plenty of rich families in the country.
Shaghaf: I’ll force Mom to tell me the name of the family. But I won’t let her know that I’ve discovered everything.
Mariam: And what will you do when you find out?
Shaghaf: I’ll make them regret the moment they wronged my mother.
Mariam: You’re crazy.
Shaghaf: Crazy because I want justice?
Mariam: May God help you with that mind of yours, sister.
The next day, Shaghaf began pressuring her mother to reveal the name of her father’s family.
Shaghaf: Mom, I need to know my father’s full name.
(Siham, uneasy, wonders why her daughter is suddenly asking about her father’s family after all this time.)
Siham: But you already know.
Shaghaf: No, I don’t. What’s his full name? What’s his mother’s name? What’s the name of his family?
Siham: He’s from our family, my dear.
Shaghaf: How am I supposed to know that? My official documents only have your name since we were in France, not his.
Siham: Your father died when you were in my womb. That’s the end of it.
(Siham leaves Shaghaf alone.)
A while later, Shaghaf got busy with work. Her landlord, an unpleasant woman, had decided to increase the rent. With only one job, Shaghaf couldn’t afford the rising rent along with her other expenses.
Shaghaf: What am I going to do? I need another job.
Mariam: Nobody told you to major in French literature. Who even cares about French these days? It’s all about English now.
Shaghaf: But I grew up in France! How was I supposed to study English? I do speak it well, but no one appreciates me for it.
Mariam: I’ll ask at my office. I work for two cousins, and I’m sure they’ll hire you.
Shaghaf: You say it as if you’re a manager. You’re just a regular employee.
Mariam: I was trying to help, but fine.
Shaghaf: Don’t leave me alone!
Mariam: Your innocent face really works wonders.
Shaghaf (laughing): It’s all natural!
Mariam: By the way, did you manage to learn anything about your father’s family?
Shaghaf: Not yet. She keeps avoiding my questions, but it won’t last long.
Mariam: I hope it all works out. But suppose you find the family—how will you get in? How will they accept you as one of their own?
Shaghaf: Who said I want to join as their daughter?
Mariam: What are you planning, girl?
Shaghaf: Look, Mom mentioned someone named Adam. She said he’s kind and easy to manipulate.
Mariam: How do you know that? Didn’t you return her diary?
Shaghaf: You’re so naive, Mariam. I took pictures of it first.
Mariam: Let’s see, Miss Genius. Who’s Adam?
Shaghaf: I don’t know. Look at what she wrote:
"My love, Gamal, you took everything from me—my love, my life, and my child. But what hurt the most was Adam. He was just an eight-year-old when my world crumbled, but he didn’t judge me like you did. He used to visit me in the tiny cell where you locked me up for four years. When you divorced me, Adam was older. Do you know what he did? He stole money from your wife to help me. Thanks to him, I had the means to survive before I left the country. But joy never lasts—your wife found out and reported me. I was jailed for two months, but they found no evidence against me, and I was released. Then I met Kamal and his wife, and they took me to France. Adam is the only person I trust with my daughter.”
Shaghaf: Do you think Adam could be my brother?
Mariam: Are you serious? If he’s your brother, he wouldn’t be 12 years older than you. Based on what you told me, your siblings could only be about three years older.
Shaghaf: Whatever he is, I’ll use him to get into the family. And he’ll answer for the accusations that sent my mother to jail.
Mariam: You’re hopeless. Didn’t the diary say he helped her?
Shaghaf: She still went to jail because of him!
Mariam: God help you. Anyway, let me call my boss about the job.
Meanwhile, Adam sits alone in his luxurious apartment, reflecting on his life. He’s spent most of his time managing his family’s companies, rescuing them from near bankruptcy caused by his uncle, Gamal. Despite his efforts, he feels unappreciated and isolated. His cousins, Hossam and Hatem, refuse to share the workload. The pressure is overwhelming, and Adam decides he’ll force them to take responsibility for their share.
(Suddenly, loud voices from outside interrupt his thoughts.)
Salim: Adam, you idiot! How could you hide something like this from us?
Marwan: And I’m crazy for partnering with you guys.
Salim: Adam, come out here! Marwan is ready to mess you up.
Marwan: I don’t fear him, you fool. I just respect him—unlike some people.
Adam (opening the door): What’s going on? Anyone hearing you would think you’re teenagers, not men in their thirties. One’s a top officer, and the other runs a company!
(They move the conversation to Marwan’s apartment.)
Marwan: I hid some highly sensitive documents in Salim’s house.
Adam: Why his house?
Salim: Yeah, why my house?
Marwan: Because no one would suspect an officer like Salim or his friendship with you.
Adam (laughing): Really? That’s your logic?
Salim: It’s not funny! My life was in danger, and no one cared.
Marwan: Relax, the issue’s been resolved. I delivered the documents, and it’s over.
(Salim grumbles while Adam and Marwan laugh.)
The story intertwines the lives of Shaghaf and Adam, setting the stage for revelations, confrontations, and a quest for justice.