"That kid was making fun of me!" He exclaims, raising his voice, and pointing with both arms, the direction in which the infant has disappeared."I'm going to make it up to you." I take a step towards him, grab him with both hands, and kiss him, oblivious to the audience around us. He sighs in relief, as my lips play with his. I break away from him, because a group of teenagers have walked past us, and whistled at us, enjoying our show "Come, let's go to the Ferris wheel." I ask him, after we share an accomplice giggle."Okay, but from now on, nothing extreme." He sentences, after rolling his eyes.On the Ferris wheel, I huddle next to him, our hands intertwined, as we both gaze out at the scenery. My head rests on his shoulder, and neither of us say a single word, we simply enjoy the intimate moment, because that's how it feels. It's as if no words are necessary."Thank you." He speaks suddenly. Cutting through the comfortable silence. I peel myself off his shoulder so I can look int
Chapter 21DeryaI know I shouldn't fall into despair, but I can't help it, I want to finish the Erdoğan family with all my might. Although my new target is Melek, that woman has filled Habbab's head with goodness and I need him here, fulfilling his part of revenge. And it's been a long time since Habbab hid her and at this point, I still haven't heard back from Ayaz, the detective I hired to follow in my grandson's footsteps.I know he is infallible, but my grandson is too cautious and every time he seems to lead him to the place, he gets out of sight. There must be something that can be done, I need to find that damn girl and get this over with. Melek is a distraction to Habbab and I need to eliminate her.It irritates me to no end that Habbab is still hell bent on protecting her, even from me. Just when I thought my plans would finally be fruitful, his soft heart has given me too much trouble and headaches.That brat would pay me back, and what better than by damaging what he loves
"Speak." Concise and crude as always.I decide to step forward and hold the folder with the information in front of his eyes, causing his expression to change a little at least. I like to put him on edge."I already figured out where Melek is." I enjoy his expression and place the papers away from his hand as he tries to snatch them away. "Not so fast, Çakir.""What do you want now, dammit." He's obviously irritated and I'm glad of that. This asshole deserves death just like his daughter."What will you do with this?" I question, seeing that he's losing patience. "Melek is an inconvenience to both of us, so I was thinking...""What I do with her is not your problem, Derya. How I handle my family is nobody's problem." He speaks in an irritated tone, looking at me smugly."Then I won't give you this," I point to the folder and a laugh escapes me. "On top of me helping you, I have to put up with your presence and stares. You're such a jerk.""What makes you think you'll walk out of here
Chapter 21 / Part ThreeHe shrinks a little from the shouting, but there is a determination in his eyes that I have never seen before that makes me curious. What will go through his mind?Çakir is a fool and arrogance in person, he thinks he has everyone eating out of his hand and they will obey his orders without a whimper, but it is not the subservient expression in Ercan's eyes that I see and that fills me with curiosity as well as unease. The son leaves the room and it is time for me to do so as well."It's time for me to go, my work here, is done." I stand up and the man on the other side of the desk does too."Derya, I..." The world stops for a second. Don't, don't you dare say anything about the past. "We've always made a good team, don't you think so?""My team, it's my family and the revenge coming on your head, Çakir Erdoğan. Don't think that by giving you the information you need, I have forgiven you. I only need you to make this move for me. It's all part of the grand plan
Chapter 22 / Part OneChapter 22Hazar ErdoğanWhen I saw Derya Arslan at my house, leaving my father's office, I knew, she had the location of my girl and I had to save her, for that reason I ran out to look for her.I'm driving down the road with my head in a mess, trying to tie up loose ends and think of what I might find, anything that will give me a clue as to where she might be.Obviously, this is Habbab's fault and I will not rest until I make him pay for all the damage he has done to those I love. I have no idea how far Derya has filled his head with lies and trickery, but he is a man responsible for his own actions.I know I'm practically blind, but I'm not going to give up until I find her and I have to do it before someone else does. Before my father manages to kill my daughter.I grab my cell phone and a short while later one of my men speaks, I ask for help to sweep the area, the more men the better.I don't manage to see anything suspicious, it seems that my daughter dis
"Shut up already, shut up, or I swear I'll kill you." Even though I can't see him I can notice the trembling in his hand, that plus the sniffle his nose makes lets me know he's crying. I would be too if they tell me that my whole life is nothing but a vile lie."I am innocent, I can swear it before God. But you, you tarnished the name of an innocent girl. If you want to go ahead, kill me, we'll settle accounts when we meet in hell, but I never lived in shame. Instead, you will have to live with the burden of knowing that you ruined Melek, the only woman who truly loves you. Because my daughter adored you, with every fiber of her heart and you took it upon yourself to kill that, to put an end to it.""Don't you know when to stop talking? I'm furious and I'm going to kill you.""I swear I didn't kill your father and I never touched your mother inappropriately because that woman was the love of my life. If it makes you feel better, then finish me off. If with my death it's all over and m
Chapter 23HabbabI already knew Melek trusted me, but for her to tell me she didn't need me... I don't know, it made me feel horrible, it was like a punch straight to the chest. And now I have to watch her father take her away, take her away from me. I thought I could get her out in time, hide her from her family, but I didn't succeed, I was a fool.Three days ago, the doctor had removed the sling and I began the plans to take her out of the country, the first thing was to make her a false passport, for two reasons, first, I was not going to take her to a public place and risk someone recognizing her. And second, if I registered that Melek was leaving the country, her grandfather would be able to find it.I had everything ready, our flight was leaving tomorrow, and then Hazar arrived to ruin everything, to take her away from me. I did not believe his words, it was not possible that my mother was in love with the man who murdered her... Although I could not know his side of the story,
Chapter 23 / Part TwoWhen I finish reading, I notice that there are tears on Melek's cheeks. I reach up to wipe them away and she turns away, I grit my teeth, I'm sick of this dance we're both having."Why did you write that, Habbab, what do you think I'm going to say to you now?""I wrote it because it's my way of saying goodbye to you, I want you to be happy again, to smile again. May you find someone who loves you with all his heart.""I thought I had done it, I thought you loved me. I thought I would spend the rest of my life by your side, that we could be happy and have our own family.""I do love you, Melek, with every fiber of my heart.""No, no, don't be a liar, no more than you already are." She shakes her head from side to side, as I watch her heart still hurting, all her body language letting me know she wants me away and she is hurting, beyond any kind of reparation. "You don't love me, Habbab, because if you loved me, you would have put our life together, over your grand
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