I could feel my heart flutter with a mixture of trepidation and determination as I reflected on the past two weeks that had changed my life forever. Fleeing from the clutches of my cruel fate had been a daring leap into the unknown, a desperate attempt to protect myself and my child. Through a chance encounter with a benevolent stranger, an elderly woman, I had managed to secure a roof over my head for the time being. After a week of roaming around the forest and the parks, eating only what nature could offer, the elderly human came into my life with her kind arms open. And she had helped me contact my father and secure enough funds to escape the country. Through fate, I ended up in the city of Luxembourg, a city I had never imagined to be my sanctuary.The road to rebuilding my life had been a rugged one. I faced countless challenges in my quest for stability and security. Finding a place to live and securing employment to provide for myself and my unborn child had seemed like insurm
For the following few days, my yearnings to see him again consumed my thoughts. I longed for just one more encounter, a chance for him to lay his eyes upon my…our son, to witness the striking resemblance between them. I yearned for him to see how our child inherited his every feature—his face, his smile, and those mesmerising blue eyes. But he never came. The hope I held onto faded, replaced by the harsh reality of his absence. Perhaps he had returned to his own family, the one he had chosen. Did he now have a son of his own, inheriting his father's prestigious title? I wonder how Anxo is doing. I still haven’t apologised for leaving without a goodbye. I wonder how Vesna has been. Could she manage the garden on her own, or had she found someone else to assist her? And Andjela, I prayed that she remained safe and healthy, free from any troubles that may have come her way.Lost in these swirling thoughts, I closed my small shop earlier than usual. It was only afternoon, yet somehow, I h
In the sanctuary of my cosy living room, I sought solace in the corner table, a silent witness to the thoughts swirling within me. The piece of paper lay before me, bearing Erdem’s contact information. Its presence alone seemed to carry a weight that mirrored the complexity of my emotions. As I traced my thumb delicately over the inked words, a bittersweet sigh escaped my lips. The memories of our encounter, the subtle glances, and the fleeting connection, replayed in my mind like a tender melody. But amidst the gentle longing, there lay a sea of uncertainty and unanswered questions.While lost in my contemplation, my attention shifted to my son, Ezio, engrossed in his artistic endeavour on the soft expanse of the living room carpet. His tiny hands glided across the pages of a colouring book, infusing life into the blank canvases. I watched him with a mixture of awe and a maternal ache, marvelling at the innocence that enveloped him. With each stroke of colour, a sense of anticipation
From the kitchen that overlooked the living room, I observed the heart warming scene unfolding before me. A gentle smile played upon my lips as I witnessed Erdem and Ezio engrossed in a serious conversation about the intricacies of a floor puzzle. It had taken some deliberation, but I finally mustered the courage to extend an invitation to Erdem, and his eager acceptance had brought him to us even before the break of dawn. He arrived bearing bags filled with toys and gifts, most of which I had politely sent back, convincing him to introduce them to Ezio gradually, with time. Now, as I busied myself with preparing breakfast, a twinge of guilt settled within me, knowing that I had unintentionally kept my son away from such boundless happiness. Yet, the joy radiating from Ezio's eyes filled my heart with a profound contentment. As for the barren desert within me that was slowly attempting to quench its thirst just in the presence of him, it frightened me. As Erdem’s gaze briefly fell upo
Erdem quietly sat at the dining table; his gaze fixated on the empty chair beside him. The weight of his presence seemed to hang in the air, his silent contemplation palpable. I continued with my task, mixing the chopped vegetables and meat, creating a fragrant stew that filled the room with its comforting aroma.Suddenly, his voice broke the silence, his words tinged with a mix of curiosity and longing. “What are you making?” His breath brushed against my ear as he appeared behind me, sending a shiver down my spine. The proximity between us, after all these years, awakened dormant memories and emotions. But just as quickly as he had drawn close, he stepped back, maintaining a respectful distance.Erdem closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply to take in the mouth-watering scent of the stew. “Smells absolutely delicious,” he murmured, his voice filled with appreciation. I nodded in response, keeping my silence, allowing the tension to settle between us.He remained rooted in his
Every passing moment after Erdem left that day, served as a stark reminder that no one could ever replace him, that his place in our lives remained untouched and unoccupied. The thought of seeking a replacement, of imagining someone else in his stead, was an inconceivable notion. And I realised that after three years, in that defining moment, as our gazes intertwined, a bittersweet realization washed over me, stirring a longing I had tried to suppress—the undeniable truth that my child had been missing a vital connection, a father's love, Erdem's love. Even if I could never accept him in my life, my child needed him in his.It was a pang of longing mixed with a cocktail of emotions that cascaded through my heart. The wounds of our separation, the untold stories, and the unspoken words resurfaced, demanding to be acknowledged. At that moment, I understood that the void within our lives could only be filled by the presence of him, by the love Erdem brings with him. In that moment, I mad
Ezio pressed his little hands against the car window, his wide eyes filled with anticipation. This was his first visit to the pack where his father had spent his formative years, and where my own heart had been shattered and mended. As we approached the familiar entrance gate, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The gate swung open with a creak, allowing us passage into the pack's territory.The narrow road stretched out before us, flanked by towering trees that whispered secrets to the night breeze. The moon hung high in the sky, casting its ethereal glow over the landscape. Fireflies danced and twinkled, adding their magical light to the scene. The familiar path led us deeper into the heart of the pack, each passing milestone triggering memories of the past.As we neared the packhouse, a sense of nostalgia washed over me. The pack had grown and flourished in the years I had been away. The once-sparse surroundings now teemed with life, with new houses d
As we walked towards Vesna's house, the weight of Ezio in my arms reminded me of the precious bond we shared. His drowsy eyes fought to stay open, his small body surrendering to the embrace of sleep. Beside me, Erdem walked in sync, our proximity filling the air with tangible energy. Though Ezio longed to be held by both of us, his little fingers tightly clung to the fabric of Erdem's sleeves, drawing him closer.With each fleeting touch, a surge of electricity coursed through me, igniting a familiar sensation that had lain dormant for far too long. I had truly forgotten how electrifying even the simplest of his touches were. As we neared Vesna's house, my heart quickened, anticipation mingling with a tinge of apprehension. Ezio’s eyelids grew heavy, and his head nestled against my shoulder, his soft breaths warming my neck. Sensing his fatigue, Erdem paused and smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting a mixture of tenderness and understanding. “Let me carry him now,” he whispered, his voic