Chapter 15 / Part OneChapter 15Esat ErdoğanTwo days, I've been wandering the riverbank, I've barely eaten and slept. I can't believe I've lost Melek. I saw her jump and did nothing, instead, Habbab fucking Argent jumped like it was nothing, he went after her, without even hesitating. He's known her for a year, not her whole life, like me, so why did he go after her and I allowed? I was a coward, one who let his cousin, and the love of his life die in front of my eyes, because there is no way to get out of a fall like that unscathed.Melek is dead, she got what she wanted, I know because I looked for her and found nothing. She arrived in front of the doors of my home, where we grew up together. I have loved her for so long that I have forgotten how much. I guess the day I fell in love with Melek was when I was twelve years old and she was only six. I had fallen off my bike and my knee was injured.We knew my grandfather would lose his mind and beat me up, so my cousin got a first ai
"Shut up Derya, everything you talk about is blasphemy. To me and my family. You must leave the city, or I will force you again."My grandfather approaches the woman, despite threatening, the straight way he stands in front of her, showing her power, he seems to be the one who feels scared and cautious. I have never seen Çakir Erdoğan tremble with fear, much less for a woman. I wonder who he is, and what he has to do with Habbab."For years I have been waiting in the shadows to get my revenge. And it has finally come, today is the day I'm going to take away everything you love the most. Starting with your family's reputation."I try to get answers in the looks of others, but to no avail. My parents and sister are just as confused as I am, my aunt is still on the floor silently crying, lamenting the loss of her daughter, and my uncle... Well, he's the only one who seems to know what's going on because he looks just as nervous as my grandfather.This woman brings an ancient secret, info
Chapter 16Hazar ErdoğanI can't believe what is happening, my daughter, my child, has been kidnapped by that man who has hurt us so much in the last few days. I never wanted Melek to be involved in all this, less when it was my responsibility to take care of her. I look at my wife who is still lying on the floor, crying non-stop. It hurts my soul to see her like that, to know that I have caused her so much damage, because all this is my fault, it is my fault to have loved before a woman who did not belong to me, or who was taken away from me.It was so long ago when I fell in love with Ceren, Habbab's mother. It was love at first sight, she was walking down the street and we bumped into each other among so many people, after seeing her blue eyes, I could never forget them. That same week I found out where she lived and what she did. She was a maid at the Arslan's house, her mother had worked for them all her life and after graduating from high school Ceren followed her mother's foots
Ten years ago The social worker grinned at me from ear to ear as I shrank into the back seat of the car. I was holding one of my favorite stuffed animals so tightly I was sure I was going to break it. -We're here," she said in a soothing little voice. This will be your new home, your parents' friends will take care of you. We got out and walked towards the white painted wooden double doors, where Rodolfo Montiel smiled at me, as did the woman holding my hand. -Hello, Vicky," he greeted me cheerfully, "Welcome home. We entered the huge mansion, where everything was so colorful and white at the same time, but, on the other hand, my room, although spacious, was a bit dark and gloomy. I was installed there and soon I understood that my parents were never coming back. At night I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go out and explore, that would make me tired and sleepy. Mom used to tell me that a good walk would clear my mind. I found myself in a huge room, but I didn't go in, because fro
I go over the financials again and there is something that just doesn't fit in all the number crunching. My responsibilities as administrative assistant have certain limits, however, just before retiring, Mr. Montiel asked me to review the company's finances, as he had noticed certain mismatches regarding payments and collections from some distributors. At first I imagined that Rodolfo's concern was unfounded and he was nervous about leaving the business in the hands of his inexperienced son. However, now that I have checked the numbers, I think he was right to be concerned and that we should audit the work of Gutierrez, the VP Finance. I make a couple of calls, confirming costs with the companies we are associated with. Valderrama y Montiel Foods is a food export company, with more than five hundred farms around the country, and in addition to that, we maintain a frozen food line. Our major partnerships are with transportation companies and exporters of fertilizers, pesticides and o
I feel my cheeks burning as my eyes widen like saucers. Available and by your side? Wake me up, I'm dreaming. A man like Arturo Montiel would never say that to a girl like me... Except he just said it, even if he means work, I feel... important in his life. -And I've been thinking, I know it's not much, but there's a room here that you can use as an office. He leaves his desk and walks past me, past me to the filing cabinet door. -Arthur, that's a storage room," I point out worriedly. -I know, but it will be temporary, until we can reorganize the structure of the building and place you closer to me. He returns to my place and takes me by the hands... Then I forget the reason why I came here or why I would refuse to move my office. Being closer to him... it doesn't sound bad at all. Maybe it's not so bad to have a small office, after all I don't need too much space, plus it has a window so I won't be completely enclosed. -Do you accept my proposal? -Okay," I answer without thinki
MelekOne week later Habbab has put a whole armed team around the house, for the sole purpose of preventing me from escaping, I tried once four days ago, and since then this house has become my own prison. At least I have been able to get some fresh air, I can walk around the gardens, as long as one of the bodyguards follows me."I can bring some cacti next week." Dilay says to me, as she plants a couple of new plants."Dilay, whose house is this?"In the last few days, my husband has taken it upon himself to furnish it, to bring me clothes and get me settled, though I've barely seen him, much less talked to him. Most of the time I'm with his sister or reading a book. I am not allowed to use a phone or an internet device. Occasionally I watch TV, but I soon get bored by the hundreds of commercials.For a moment I imagined that this might be the house Habbab bought for us. Of course I've been telling myself that it's ridiculous, his plan was to disgrace me and then run away, but a par
I follow him with a firm step, he enters the house, which has two floors, the bottom floor is merely a storage room with some gardening stuff. And upstairs is where the kitchen and bedrooms are. He slams the door in my face, but I take a deep breath and open it again."I want to leave this house," I demand as he calmly sits down at the kitchen table."And where do you suggest I take you Melek? To your grandfather? Who is looking for you to kill you. Or perhaps with your father? A lying man who's done a shitty job protecting you from his own father.""I don't want you to take me to either of them. I need Esat, my cousin, he's the only one capable of helping me.""The only one capable? And what do you think I'm doing right now?""You've got me locked in a tower, that's what you're doing. You're not protecting me, you never could, because it was you who put me in this situation in the first place. Now, I'm asking you to let me go.""Melek, this discussion is starting to become repetitive
LeaI watch as my husband's betas change, ready to attack me, I'm not going to let them, I need to rescue Enzo and bring him back. Bear also changes and does his best to get between me and the wolves, but there are too many of them and even though he is a huge bear, even bigger than them, he won't be able to take them down."Shit Osiris, I can't stop the spell." I tell him mentally, still chanting"Lea, you have to, this is unnatural, you're endangering the balance of nature. Stop it now.""Screw you, I'm not going to let Enzo die.""Lea, Enzo is already dead..."An indescribable fury grows inside me. No, I won't accept it, that my Enzo is dead, I won't allow it. Osiris is a coward who probably only wants the alpha's position. I am angry with him and with all those who came to support him, none of them want Enzo, otherwise they would be happy, they would support me and they would understand that I and also the pack need their alpha back.Without stopping reciting the spell, I create a
Chapter 4DaphneI should have asked Kate to take out the trash.Then she could have dealt with this strange guy who claims to be my partner. I mean, come on. A partner? It sounds so primal and barbaric. Like I have no say in the matter.Although, if I'm being honest, it doesn't sound too bad… I keep feeling this strange attraction to him. The feeling of being drawn to him when I first saw him lying injured in the dumpster is even stronger now. It's taking hold of me.“What did you say your name was?” I ask as I look at him differently.“I didn't say it. My name is Armel, but people close to me call me Army.“I can't imagine why you get that.” He actually laughed at that.“And you?” “I'm Daphne.” I say in a shy voice.“Daphne.” He whispers as she looks at me with those deep blue eyes. I feel my cheeks blush under the intensity of them.“So, then I'm going to call you Army.” I told him, “I like it, it sounds like danger, and not that I like danger, but I l don’t know... Army is origi
Chapter 3ArmelA loud moan comes out of me as I close my eyes and let the hot water wash over my face.This has to end.It's a never-ending hell. Destroying one city after another. Tearing my body apart. Bringing danger wherever I go.I don't even know where I am now.I turn my head and force my eyes open. A pink towel. More beauty products than I can count piled around the small sink. A small pair of bunny-shaped slippers by the door.The memory comes back, but it's foggy and full of holes. I remember climbing into the dumpster and passing out. Then, the bright light as someone opened the door. Stumbling up the steps. A smell that was like fire in my lungs. I had lost a lot of blood and was very weak. I didn't know what was happening.“Fuck.” I wince as I pick up the soap with my wounded arm, and a bolt of pain flashes through me. I'm going to kill that fucking Frenchman with his own sword.No. He's just doing his job. He's doing what's right. He's doing what you're too cowardly to
Chapter 2Daphne“Stop eating the fries!” Pete shouts as he tries to hit my hand with his greasy spatula. I'm too fast for the grumpy chef.“Last one.” I say with a wide grin as I shove the hot french fry in my mouth. “I promise.” We both know, it won't be the last.This failing restaurant doesn't do a lot of things right, but even I have to admit they know how to make crispy, delicious fries.“Yeah, Sure.” Pete grumbles as he walks over to the grill. I snatch another one from his as he turns his back to me.Kathy laughs. “Do you have a death wish or something?” “It's worth the risk.” I say with a groan as I swallow the delicious fry. “It's one of the perks of working at the best restaurant in Timberville.”“It's only a restaurant.” She says as she cleans up the plastic menus, “Why did you move back here?” I sigh as I pick up the coffee pot. “I wonder every day.”She laughs as I make my way to the table area, smiling at all the regulars as I refill their coffee cup after cup.There
Chapter OneArmel “Timberville, Montana!” shouts the driver as the commercial truck comes to a stop.I sigh as I look at the old, worn sign with the town's name barely visible behind the peeling paint and faded old graffiti.Is this town going to be safe?I nod as I realize that no town is safe for me. Not when the greatest danger lurks inside my body. With a heavy breath, I rise from the large bags of rice I've slept on all night and jump off the back cabin of the truck. I jumped in the past night without the guy to notice.My grizzly bear growls inside me as I head into the forest.“Hey!” the drivers yells, “Get away from my truck! Damn hobo.”I don't turn around. For his protection, I lower my head and hurry to the colorful tree line. It's a beautiful fall day, but this is no time to admire the autumn leaves.My bear growls inside. He paces angrily. I know what's coming and I want no part of it. I'm sure the good people of Timberville, Montana, don't either.“Keep your cool.” I wh
I call my men and ask them to prepare a special dinner. It will take place in five nights, right on the anniversary of Melek and Habbab's wedding. This will be an unforgettable occasion, not only to celebrate that union, which was a complete farce, but also to reveal the last secrets that have been hidden for too long. My heart beats with excitement as I meticulously plan every detail. This dinner will be more than just a gathering; it will be a feast of truth, where everyone will learn the complete story of Derya Arslan and Çakir Erdoğan. I will tell everyone why Derya decided to seek revenge and ruin the lives of the Erdoğan family. The truth will come to light, and everyone will know that her intentions were entirely personal; she never thought about the well-being of her family. Derya's revenge has left a trail of pain and destruction, and it's time for everyone to know. I can't allow her to continue manipulating others and escaping the consequences of her actions. Melek, Habbab
Chapter 52Derya ArslanI'm pacing around my room, eagerly waiting for news from Habbab and Ahmet. I feel helpless and very angry because my revenge plan didn't unfold as I wished. Everything has been ruined by that Melek, because Habbab fell in love with her. Now, I find myself a prisoner of my own grandson, Habbab, and I must hide from my other grandson, Ahmet, who wants to see me dead.The courage and determination that drove me to devise my revenge plan seem to fade in the face of this complicated situation I'm in now. I wonder how everything could have gone wrong, how Melek could have touched Habbab's heart and changed everything.It's hard to accept that my grandson, whom I raised and taught to be strong, is protecting the very person who ruined my plans. The daughter of our enemy. I should have known better; planning the fake marriage between Habbab and Melek wasn't the best decision I made. I should have come up with another plan to hurt Hazar and Çakir.It was also not a good
I watch as Senay, Hazar, and Melek walk towards the house, leaving the beautiful garden behind them. In that moment, something wonderful happens. Gul, Melek's sweet little 9-year-old sister, comes running out of the house. Her eyes sparkle with excitement, and she jumps onto Melek, hugging her tightly. "I knew it! I knew in my heart that you'd come back!" Gul exclaims with a radiant smile.Melek looks at her affectionately and asks, "Did you really know, Gul?"The little girl nods excitedly, "Yes, everyone said you were gone, but I knew it was a lie. I always knew my sister was still alive.""It's true, Melek. Gul always refused to believe you were gone," says Senay, smiling at her two daughters. "I should have believed her, to know that she had a feeling you were okay.""Mom, don't worry, I'm here now." Melek responds and then embraces her little sister tenderly, "Thank you, Gul. I love you so much, and I promise I won't leave you again."Gul smiles widely and then notices my presenc
Chapter 51HabbabWe arrived at the village of Hazar, a peaceful place far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Melek comments with a smile softened by relief, "I'm glad that my fake death was the reason you finally moved out of Çakir's house, Dad. Now we can all be together here."Hazar sighs and looks at me with gratitude. "Yes, Melek, I deeply regret not having taken you out of Çakir's clutches earlier. I thought he would change at some point, that he would love you as his own granddaughter, but I was wrong. Forgive me for not doing it faster."Melek gently squeezes her father's hand. "I don't want to dwell on the past anymore, Dad. We are together now, and that's what matters. Let's make this place our home and build a future together."Hazar smiles affectionately and nods. "You're right, my dear. I am very happy to have you back in my life, and I promise to protect and care for you always. Nothing and no one will separate us again."Taking her hand, Hazar leads Melek towa