After arriving in Kebleker, Habbab and I checked into a hotel under a fake name. I don't feel entirely comfortable with the idea of hiding and lying, but I decide to keep quiet. We go up to our room, and I'm pleasantly surprised to find it spacious and cozy.There are two separate rooms, so I won't have any problem spending the night here. I feel bad about the condition Habbab ended up in after the fight, so I make the decision to heal his wounds.Habbab sits on the couch in the main room while I walk to the bathroom, where I find a medicine cabinet stocked with supplies.“Do you need help with those wounds?” I ask, looking at the marks on his face and body.Habbab nods, and I approach him carefully. I take a damp towel and start cleaning the blood from his lower lip. Our eyes meet, and I feel a mix of conflicting emotions.“Damn it, Melek,” Habbab whispers, looking at me intensely. “I can't believe how reckless I was to drag you into all this. I regret leaving a day after our wedding
HabbabI managed to get us out of the city, bring us to the coast, but it still doesn't feel like a success.From my perspective, the weight of my past actions falls upon my shoulders with overwhelming force. I find myself submerged in a deep abyss of guilt and remorse, unable to escape the haunting memories that torment me.I close my eyes and can vividly see Melek's wounded face, her eyes filled with sadness and disappointment. It was me who hurt her, who marked her heart and soul with the shadow of betrayal. The image of her pain is like a dagger in my chest, constantly reminding me of the irreparable damage I have caused.I have always blamed Hazar Erdoğan for all my misfortunes. In my blindness and thirst for revenge, I allowed anger and the thirst for justice to cloud my judgment. I didn't consider the consequences of my actions or the love and trust Melek had placed in me.Leaving her standing on the day after our wedding, labeling her as impure, was one of the most painful dec
Chapter 36Esat ErdoğanThree days laterI'm furious, very furious. Habbab has taken away my fiancée, and despite my attempts to retrieve her, to find out where she is, nothing seems to work. I still haven't found Melek's whereabouts.Even with the resources of my grandfather, I haven't been able to find my cousin and her kidnapper. I have to bring her back home; our family supports this union, and I can see it in how my grandfather Çakir made his men and contacts in the government available to find my cousin. I don't need any more evidence; I have his support.And now I've decided that I'm going to make Habbab come out of hiding. That scoundrel will hand Melek over to me with his own hands.I stop outside the Arslan mansion, waiting for the shift change of the guards. It's midnight, and at any moment the afternoon shift will be replaced by the night shift, and I'll have the opportunity to enter the house.As I suspected, the guard change is happening in five minutes. I quietly get ou
Three days after Habbab and Melek's kissHabbabEverything was ready; in fifteen days, we would leave the country and start a new life. We would have a life together. I knew I could make Melek fall in love with me again. I did it once; I could do it a second time.I had a plan. I would ask her to give me a week, to get to know me better, to tell her everything I needed to say. A week for her to listen to me, and if she still rejected me after that, I would let her go. I would take her out of the country to protect her, but I wouldn't keep her.I had spent days planning every detail of our encounter. I knew it was time to surprise Melek and show her my determination to make amends for my mistakes and win back her heart. I had gotten tickets to leave the country together, but before we left, I wanted to show her that we could build a new story filled with love and happiness.Melek sat in the hotel room's lounge, lost in her thoughts. I approached her with a nervous smile and said, "Mele
After a dinner filled with awkward moments and tense silences, I managed to convince Melek to take a walk along the beach shore. The sound of the waves breaking against the coast created a serene atmosphere, but I could feel the distance between us, as if there was an abyss separating us.I tried to reach for Melek's hand, seeking that connection we used to have, but she quickly pulled her hand away. It was a painful reminder of what I had lost, of the trust I had broken. However, I didn't give up and decided to open my heart."Melek, I want you to know that I wasn't always like this. My life has been a constant struggle with my past and my grandmother's manipulations," I began to tell her, trying to convey my true self.She looked at me with curiosity and a hint of disbelief. "Habbab, go on. I want to hear what you have to say."I took a deep breath and continued, letting the words flow with sincerity. "At the age of eight, I became an orphan. My grandmother and my sister were all I
Chapter 37MelekWe enter the hotel after a night... Beautiful, that's all I'll say about it because I'm struggling not to let Habbab win my heart again. Every time I look at him, I can't help but think of all the harm he caused me, but I also can't help but think of how in love I still am with him. I'm a fool, although in my defense, we had two years of happiness together. Is it so bad to want that feeling back?There's something about him, something different. I'm starting to believe that our love is dissipating the hatred in his heart, that it's capable of healing the wound that revenge has left.Not to mention seeing him vulnerable, knowing how much he loved his mother and how they took her away. It's something that would move anyone. I still believe that all that hatred, all that pain, was because of his grandmother and her lies.We enter the elevator, and as we step out on our floor, I trip. His arms prevent me from falling to the ground. Habbab gently pulls me towards his chest
"Do you know how I find relief from that pain? Only with you, when I'm by your side, when I look into your eyes, everything disappears. When we were engaged, you looked into my eyes and smiled. I thought, Habbab, only your mother looked at you like that, only your mother loved you in that way. Since then, I haven't known purity like that. You were the remedy, my pain, instant relief.""So, why did you continue with that horrible plan? Why did you do it? You had to ruin everything beautiful.""Melek, do you know how it feels to be trapped inside the heart and mind? The day I left you was the hardest day of my life. You don't know it, but I turned around, I was about to come back, and then my grandmother sent one of her men. Since that day, I've been in purgatory, suffering by your side, even if you don't believe it.""I don't know..."He silences me with a delicate gesture of his hand."This place is where they threw the flames at the prophet Ibrahim, but it's also where God extinguish
"Let's change the course of our history," he whispered close to my ear, his hand caressing my neck. "Let this moment remind us that we can overcome any obstacle together. Let's fly high and let our souls be filled with peace and happiness."We continued flying the comet, higher and higher, leaving behind the weight of the past and embracing the promise of a renewed future. And as our laughter merged with the singing of the wind, I knew that for a moment, we were truly happy, sharing a moment of connection and love that would not be easily forgotten.It was like when we were dating, when every moment was the best of my life. We escaped from my family, from my grandfather, and from the rest of the world to steal experiences that would become memories. Could we have that again? Could we love each other again?It hasn't been a week, but I... I have such a strong desire to forgive him, to trust Habbab again and his promises. Shouldn't I?We returned to the hotel, late at night. As we cross
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