Not Without My Daughter

Moody’s sudden decision to let Betty return to America comes as a surprise to her. However, she is aware that Moody means that she must go without Mahtob, and this development worries her. She bargains for time and insists on talking to her father before leaving. It soon becomes evident that Moody’s decision is not based on compassion but rather on a hidden agenda. He wants Betty to return to America and sell all their belongings in order to bring money back to Iran. Moody intends to hold their daughter as a hostage to ensure Betty’s return. Betty realizes that leaving without Mahtob would jeopardize her reunion with her daughter, for Moody might never allow her to return.

Betty therefore seeks a way to escape Moody’s control and contacts her friend, Amahl, to help expedite their escape. Against all odds, she obtains an Iranian passport, then claims an error on it to buy more time. However, Moody forces her to get it corrected immediately. Amahl plans for Betty and Mahtob to leave for Pakistan through a dangerous route in Zahidan, Iran. Despite the risks, they are left with no choice but to proceed with the escape plan. However, Moody grows increasingly suspicious and controls Betty’s every move, eventually locking her inside their house. Later, Mammal, Moody’s relative, arrives with an airline ticket for Betty, who is supposed to leave alone, without Mahtob. An emotional confrontation ensues, during which Betty vehemently objects to the trip and insists on staying with her daughter. Moody portrays himself as a caring husband, feigning innocence and emphasizing the trip’s purpose for visiting Betty’s dying father. The situation becomes even more complex as family members get involved, leaving Betty in an uncertain situation.

In a flashback to their life in the US, the narrative describes an earlier moment in which Moody’s life took a downturn when he lost a patient, leading to a suspension and investigation at the hospital. Betty and Moody moved to Alpena, Michigan, finding solace in a picturesque house. However, their happiness was troubled when Betty’s father was diagnosed with cancer. Meanwhile, Moody’s career faltered, and he succumbed to depression, refusing help and isolating himself. The family’s financial struggles intensified, and Betty, desperate for change, pressured Moody to return to work. The couple sold their house hastily, pocketing much-needed money. Moody then secured a job in Detroit, while Betty and Mahtob stayed in Alpena.

They settled into a routine of alternating weekends between Alpena and Detroit, finding comfort in their renewed connection. However, the tranquility was disrupted when Moody’s nephew, Mammal, arrived from Iran in need of surgery. Reluctantly, Betty agreed to take care of him, enduring his demanding behavior. As Moody became more involved with Mammal, Betty sensed a shift in his priorities, leading to growing concerns about their future, including a potential trip to Iran. Realizing that she could not prevent Mahtob from visiting Moody’s family in Iran, Betty reluctantly agreed to the visit.

On January 29, 1986, Moody informs Betty that they need to visit the Swissair office to surrender her passport for her impending trip to America. Betty tries to gain time, bringing up a prior shopping commitment with the wife of Aga Hakim. The tension escalates when Betty expresses her reluctance to go to America, and a heated argument ensues between Moody and Betty, taking place in front of their friends. Moody insists that Betty go to the US and sell their belongings, claiming that her father’s illness is a trick to allow her escape. His temper becomes increasingly violent, and he threatens to prevent Betty from seeing her daughter again. Overcome by desperation, Betty prays to God for a chance to escape. Suddenly, an ambulance arrives at the door, prompting Moody to go to the hospital to deal with an emergency. Betty seizes the moment to escape with Mahtob, contacting Amahl and telling him that this is the last chance she has to escape with Mahtob. Amahl provides an address, and Betty and Mahtob make their way there in a taxi.

Betty and Mahtob make it to an apartment in Tehran that Amahl has prepared for them. From there, Betty calls Moody twice with the purpose of delaying his call to the police. Betty threatens to report his illegal activity as a doctor practicing without a license. Amahl reveals that their escape plan will go through Turkey and will involve a risky journey by car. In order to complete this journey and make it across the border, Betty must pay a substantial fee. As they embark on the journey, they have an emotional farewell with Amahl. Betty and Mahtob face numerous challenges during the escape journey, including navigating unfamiliar towns, evading Iranian guards, and enduring treacherous weather conditions. Along the way, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, including a man named Mosehn, whose intentions are unclear at the beginning but who proves to be a kind and helpful person.

The tension rises as they pass through various towns and checkpoints, always fearing discovery by the authorities. Along the way, Betty and Mahtob encounter unexpected kindnesses, the most notable of which come from Kurdish communities that host them in different locations. As they approach Tabriz, a smaller city with its own complexities, the narrative notes the contrast between urban and rural life in Iran. Betty and Mahtob face a series of nerve-wracking moments, including a checkpoint encounter during which they are shot at and narrowly escape capture. At one critical moment, Betty and Mahtob are left alone on dangerous terrain at the Iranian-Turkish border, when their driver tells them to wait. The suspense builds as they wait in the freezing cold, unsure of their fate. Eventually, the man comes back and leads them to shelter. After hours of uncertainty, smugglers assists them in crossing the border into Turkey, partly on foot and partly on horseback. The journey involves treacherous mountain paths, freezing temperatures, and moments of despair. As they finally reach Turkey, Betty, who is near the point of collapse, experiences a mix of relief and desperation. Finally, as they cross into Turkey, she starts feeling more at ease. From the city of Van, they take a long bus ride through mountain roads and finally arrive in Ankara. One hotel turns them away due to their unstamped passports. Eventually, they find another hotel and contact the US embassy in Ankara, which helps them with their documents and secures a flight back to America. The chapter ends with a moment of gratitude as Betty and Mahtob sit in the embassy lobby, realizing that they are finally going home.

Betty and Mahtob return to Michigan in 1986, finding their newfound freedom bittersweet. Although their presence temporarily lifts the spirits of Betty’s father, he succumbs to cancer in August. The family is reunited, and after her arrival in America, Betty exchanges letters with Hamid, the store owner, who is experiencing difficulties but expresses his joy at the news of Betty’s escape. Taking out a loan, Betty repays Amahl for his generosity. However, adjusting to life in America is challenging, especially for Mahtob, who misses her father. The narrative mentions that Betty receives encouragement from the State Department to share her story and raise awareness about similar situations in intercultural marriages. Although the threat of Moody’s retaliation looms, the author’s narrative asserts that she also enjoys the protection of powerful friends. In a letter dated July 14, 1986, Ellen expresses concern and curiosity about Betty’s well-being, mentioning their unsuccessful attempts to contact Moody.