“This is the family attorney.” Joanna felt her stomach drop.
“Mom,” Kasim said, his voice edged with disbelief, “we agreed I was coming to speak with you privately.” “And we will speak,” Nevin said, folding her hands in her lap. “But given recent developments, I need to be sure you understand the legal consequences of your decisions.”
With that, she nodded toward the attorney. He opened the leather folder. His movements were slow and practiced, as if he were laying out handcuffs rather than paperwork.
“Mr. Kasim,” the lawyer began in a formal tone, “your mother has asked me to inform you of the following.” “If you voluntarily withdraw from the family business and refuse your duties as heir, you will forfeit your ownership interest in the company. You will also lose any claim to family real estate and all financial protections outlined in the family agreement.”
Kasim stared at him. “What did you just say?” “This is entirely official,” the attorney continued evenly. “All actions are being taken in accordance with the standing power of attorney and the family contracts. If you leave this family structure, you leave the business as well.”
Joanna flinched. This wasn’t just emotional pressure anymore. It was calculated leverage, aimed straight at the most vulnerable part of him.
“Mom,” Kasim said, and now his voice had turned hard as steel, “are you blackmailing me?” “I am protecting this family and its interests,” Nevin replied.
“Protecting it?” He slapped his hand against the table. “Or protecting your control over my life?”
“Are you really willing to destroy everything that doesn’t fit your rules?” he asked. “I am trying to save you from a mistake that will ruin your life,” Nevin shot back. “I am trying to save you from this unsuitable girl.” “She will drag you into hardship, into a culture that is not yours, into an unhappy marriage,” she added.
Joanna went pale, but she kept silent. She had come to support him, not to shout. This was his fight to finish.
“Mom,” Kasim said quietly and clearly, “I am not a child. I am not property. And I am not your business project.” “I am a grown man, and I will decide for myself who I build a future with.” “If you choose her,” Nevin said, pointing at Joanna, “you lose everything.”
The room fell silent again. Joanna felt as if the floor had shifted under her feet. She wanted to say, Don’t do this for me. Don’t give up everything.
But Kasim spoke first, his voice level. “All right,” he said. Everyone in the room froze. “What do you mean, ‘all right’?” his mother demanded.
“I mean exactly that,” he said, even more firmly. “If the price of my freedom is your money, your property, and your family name…”
