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
Chapter 24HabbabI try to look away, turn and leave Melek behind. But I can't help but hope that she turns to look at me. She walked away from me just like that and I'm hurt by her indifference, I deserve it, it's true, but that doesn't mean I don't feel hurt. I sigh resigned, she's not coming back, and maybe it's for the best, my mother needs revenge, I need to fulfill my grandmother and my family.No matter what Hazar said, I don't trust him, he's a liar, his words can't change my mind, nor cloud my judgment. I am going to take revenge on his whole family, their suffering is not over.I am about to turn around and go back to the house, when I hear several cars coming up the hill."Erdem, they have found us!" I shout as I jump the fence and get my men ready, Çakir won't leave without a good fight.In the distance I watch as Hazar and Melek hide behind a tiny wall that used to be a house, now there is nothing but ruins."Don't be ridiculous, there you go to see them." I shout at them
"Can you tell us how? Because we're running out of options." Erdem says."Yes, yes I can. You guys go out the back, there are only two men guarding the back door, take care of them. While I go out and stop my father, I will be your distraction.""Father, no, please don't leave me alone again.""Melek, though I don't want to admit it, Habbab has been hiding you so that no one will hurt you. And so, Habbab, I will entrust you with my daughter for the last time. Take Melek, away from here quickly.""Papa?" she asks between incredulous and frightened."He will only be the vehicle, my daughter, I am entrusting your life to Ala. If anything happens to you the Arslan will pay for it. Honey, I promised your mother, I swore I wouldn't let your grandfather kill you.""But I don't want to leave you, Dad. I want to go home, to Mom and Gul." His voice breaks and his eyes water. He hates me and it's more than obvious he doesn't want me by his side."Melek, please understand me, they are here now, t
Chapter 25HabbabThere are some lights over my eyes, they pass over me with a flicker, I think Melek managed to bring me to a hospital. The pain is gone and I begin to dissociate between reality and fiction. While my brain is millions of light years away, I imagine a life where Melek and I could be happy, far from so many conflicts.A life that has never existed, but that could have been and was not....***The following is a dream Habbab had during the surgery to remove the bullet from his body:Second gradeI stand watching the girls play hopscotch wondering what they find so funny about it. They giggle as they jump across the chalk lines and repeat it over and over again. I only care because every time Melek makes the sound it gives me a funny feeling in my stomach. At first I wasn't sure if I liked it, but after hearing her laugh a few more times, I decide it's not so bad. She looks at me and smiles before it's her turn again."Habbab, come on, we need you on our team. You're the
(This part is narrated by Melek, but it is still Habbab's imagination).MelekFourth grade..." Why weren't you at school today?" Habbab asks as he walks in the door of my house."I have a cold." , I say and look away from him, trying to hide my embarrassment."You don't look sick." He closes the door and follows me as I go into the small living room."I'm fine now," I tell him, looking at the TV."So, it was like a six-hour cold? I don't understand.""Your mom is going to start yelling at you.""No, I told her I was going to visit you and bring you your homework." He puts my backpack on the couch and then sits down next to it."Mrs. Sahin said we have to read four chapters tonight and I thought we could do it together to make it less boring." He pulls out the copy of Bridge to Terabithia, issued by the school, and starts flipping through it."I'll read it later," I tell him as I get frustrated and walk back to the front door."Maybe you should go" He looks at me and his eyes narrow.
MelekSeventh grade...I open my eyes as a shadow blocks the sun. I look up to see Habbab standing over me with a cupcake in her hand and a single candle lit."Happy birthday, Dimples," he says, and I smile at him as I join in. It's summer vacation and Habbab and I have been lying by the pool. When we're not with the horses we usually hang out here. Too bad summer is almost over and we're both going back to high school. The same fear I always have is ticking off my mind."Did you remember?" I ask in surprise and he drops to his knees beside me."Do you think I would forget your birthday," I shake my head?"Of course, you wouldn't. You never forget anything," I laugh, but he doesn't. Habbab is not only handsome, popular, and sweet, but he's also very smart. His family is exactly the same and is almost too perfect to be real."Not when it comes to you," he says, and it makes my stomach churn."Now make a wish." He holds up the cupcake for me and I close my eyes. I think for just a seco
Desmond Garland I make a mental note to increase my physical labor. My feet hurt after a long day's work and that is simply unacceptable for a man as young as I am. I need to talk it over with my trainer and make sure we do the necessary exercises to strengthen my limbs. I plop down in the swivel chair behind my desk, then turn on my computer and check next month's projections. After that I can finally go home and take a strenuous bath. The numbers begin to flash before my eyes, making sense in my head. I make some notes and make sure to put in my diary that I need to communicate with Elena, one of the businesswomen I'm going to have to let go, due to the poor performance of her latest income. The intercom on my desk buzzes, letting me know that Andrea, my assistant, is trying to reach me. I look at the time and am surprised at how late it is. It is two o'clock in the morning and I find it strange that she is still in the building, I have to stress to her that she can leave when he
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