Chapter 41Habbab"Two long days have passed since Melek's disappearance, and anguish consumes me relentlessly. Uncertainty and fear have become constant companions, preventing me from eating, sleeping and even thinking clearly. Every second that passes without news from him is unbearable torture. Melek is my world, my reason for being, and his absence has become a dark abyss that threatens to engulf me completely.In the midst of my despair, my office door opens and my best friend Erdem bursts into the room, his breath hitching and his eyes heavy with worry. My heart races at his presence, filled with hope that he will bring news that will ease my pain."Habbab, there's something you need to know," Erdem says quietly, his tone revealing the gravity of the situation. "There's a commotion at the Erdoğan mansion. Apparently, they have found a woman who could be Melek. I don't know the exact details, but we must go there as soon as possible and find out what's going on."My eyes light up
HazarI am overwhelmed by a flood of emotions. Guilt consumes me as I hold Senay in my arms, both of us crying inconsolably. I have failed my family, my best friend, who was Melek's real father, the one to whom I promised to take care of Senay and his daughter. My heart sinks into a dark abyss because now Melek, that little girl whom I have loved as if she were my own daughter, has died.Despite not being her biological father, I always felt a deep and sincere love for Melek. I saw her as my own flesh and blood, and every smile of hers lit up my world. Now, that brightness has vanished forever, leaving an insurmountable void in my soul. It is unbearable to think that I will never again hear her melodious laughter or embrace her tenderly.In the midst of my grief, I become aware of Habbab's presence. I see him collapsing next to Melek, crying out her name in despair. At that moment, I understand the depth of his love for her. Despite all our conflicts and differences, Habbab truly love
HazarI walked into Habbab's office with a mixture of resentment and regret. I knew he was devastated by the loss of Melek, just like I and my family, but Habbab was still my enemy, still, the man who humiliated my little girl. Still, I felt I had to make a gesture out of pure politeness toward the bond Habbab had with Melek, my own daughter. I found him slumped in his grief, his eyes reddened and his voice trembling."Habbab...," I said, trying to hide my disdain as I addressed him. "I am here out of pure courtesy. I know that Melek was important to you and I want you to know that, despite our differences, I understand your suffering."Habbab looked up, his tear-filled eyes meeting mine. His broken voice echoed as he replied, "Hazar, I cannot bear this loss. Melek was everything to me, and now he is gone forever."I swallowed my resentment and continued, aware that my gesture was merely a formality. "I am not here to sympathize with you, I am here because I saw how you broke down at
Chapter 42HabbabI find myself in a lonely corner of the courtyard of the Erdoğan mansion. My presence here is like a stone in the shoe for Melek's family. They didn't want me here, I don't blame them. I am the son of their enemy, the man who humiliated and hurt their beloved Melek. But Hazar intervened and managed to calm everyone down, convincing them that I should be present at this tragic moment. I am grateful that he did that for me. I begin to see that man Melek was describing, if I were him, I would never have allowed my enemy, and the one who hurt my daughter so much, to sit in my home and share my pain. Perhaps, my grandmother had lied to me about him, about the real story.Melek's coffin remains closed, and will soon be taken to the cemetery. I begged Hazar to let me carry the coffin, and surprisingly, he agreed. I want to be part of this last act of farewell to the woman I love, even if my presence here is awkward and forced.The procession begins, and the weight of the co
With firm steps, I walk away from the grave, carrying with me the weight of my words and the determination to face my destiny. I cannot change the past, but I can shape my future and fight for what is right. Melek has taught me the power of love, and now it is time to honor his memory and find the truth I so long for.Before I leave the cemetery I hear a commotion where the Erdoğan's are, I turn around and walk there to find Çakir screaming. It angers me to know that even in death, Melek doesn't get to rest from his grandfather's evil, I wish he would take place, the world would be happier if it were like that.I return to Melek's grave and am confronted with a heartbreaking scene. Two men are arguing heatedly near the grave, one of them is Çakir and the other is a stranger, about 74 years old. The atmosphere is charged with tension and anger.Çakir, his face reddened and full of anger, shouts at the man, whom he calls Samir."Go away, Samir! You have no right to be here," Çakir shout
And I know where to start, the person who has lied to me for years. My grandmother. She had to know, she had to know that Melek was not an Erdoğan, that she was not Hazar's daughter, and yet she led me to deceive her, to manipulate the love of my life. To hurt her. I can't believe what is happening in my chest, I begin to hate my grandmother for all her lies and machinations. I don't know how, but I will make her pay, Melek is dead and it's her fault.I arrive at the Mansion, Arslan in a fury, my heart pounding with anger and disappointment. I yell for my grandmother, Derya Arslan, waiting for her to come out of her room. Finally, the door opens and she appears, confused by my mood."What's wrong, Habbab, why are you so upset?" my grandmother asks with a surprised expression.I take a deep breath, trying to contain my indignation as I reply in a shaky voice, "Did you know the truth, Grandma?"My grandmother looks at me perplexed, unable to comprehend what I am talking about. Her eyes
Chapter 43HabbabThe next day, I headed to the Arslan mansion determined to gather my belongings and leave all that chaos behind. After my arrival, I meet Enise, who tries to stop me in a desperate way."Habbab, please don't go! I love you and I don't want us to be separated," Enise pleads with tears in her eyes.Her words hit me, but I know I can't let myself be carried away by her tears. I had to be honest with her, even if it meant hurting her feelings. I don't love her, I never have and she has to get over it and move on with her life."Enise, you must understand the truth. I never loved you the way you deserved. Our marriage was a sham to please our grandmother. I can no longer live a lie. Now, more than ever, I need the divorce," I replied in a firm but saddened voice. I had lost Melek and I did it just when she had found out about my marriage, she would never forgive me for that.As I packed my bags, Enise clung to my arm, begging me to stay. Her grip was strong and desperate,
My eyes widen, and the impact of his words echoes in my mind. Now I understand who he is talking about. Hazar Erdoğan, my sworn enemy, the man I hurt and all for my grandmother's revenge. A revenge based on a web of lies.Anger and remorse mingle inside me as my vision blurs with tears threatening to fall. The truth has come out and with it comes the overwhelming weight of the consequences of my grandmother's actions, and mine. I destroyed Hazar's life and now it turns out he is my father. It can't be true, it isn't, it must all be a lie from this so-called Ahmet, who knows if he is even an Arslan?I can't help but reject Ahmet's words, though my heart races with the possibility that there is some truth to his words."You can't be telling the truth," I tell him, my voice trembling with denial. "It's not possible that Hazar Erdoğan is my father. It's not possible, not at all. "Ahmet stares at me, showing no signs of doubt. His next revelation rocks my world completely."It's true, Hab