What brief role the appearance of said daughter play in the story

Sana, Said's daughter, was his only reason for living. Her presence in his life served as his motivation. Unfortunately, when they first meet after his release, the only emotion he perceives in his young daughter is that of fear. Their reunion was not the happy, proud moment he envisioned. Thus, her role in the story serves to set up the rest of the story, in that we begin with things not going Said's way and wondering how he will handle the rejection.