Azra came to the cemetery today to visit her parents' graves. After multiple requests, Alihan finally agreed to accompany her, despite his reluctance to see her cry.

On the gravestones, she read:

Alison Joseph

1977-2012

Ahmet Yılmaz

1977-2012

Azra's face was emotionless as she gazed at her parents' graves. She knelt down, touching the sand of the grave, her fingers trembling.

"Mama, Dad, see? Your Sofie is here finally," Azra said, her voice cracking with pain.

"Why did you leave me? Why... do you know how much pain I've tolerated? How I faced Uncle and Aunt behind you... how I..."

"Why?" she sobbed continuously. "I'm all alone in this world without you. Why didn't you take me with you? Why?"

Her words pierced through Alihan, making him regret bringing her here. His eyes reflected the deep emotions he felt for her.

"My life is just a nightmare, Mama, Dad, without you both..."

In the dark cemetery, Azra's sobs echoed through the still air, her body trembling. A figure approached from behind, wrapping her in an embrace. Alihan's arms tightened around her, his presence a dark, comforting force.

"Why did you leave me?" Azra whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't know how to go on without you."

Alihan held her closer, feeling her vulnerability. He gently brushed her hair back, his lips grazing her ear. "I'm here with you," he murmured, his voice low and possessive. "And I'll make sure you're never alone in your nightmares."

Azra shivered at his words, the darkness of the cemetery closing in around them. Alihan's touch was both comforting and unsettling, a reminder of the twisted bond they shared. He tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze, his eyes burning with a dark intensity.

In his heart, Alihan thought, "You belong to me now. And I'll never let you go."

The night cloaked everything in darkness as Alihan and Azra sat by the riverbank, the water flowing like liquid shadows beneath the pale moonlight. The chill in the air seemed to seep into their bones, intensifying the raw emotions between them.

Azra, her face a mask of emptiness, stared unblinking at the river’s dark expanse. "Why does God take from us those we love the most?" she murmured, her voice barely a whisper, hollow and devoid of hope. Her eyes, once filled with vibrant green, now reflected the desolation of her heart.

Alihan, his presence as enigmatic and unsettling as the night itself, watched her with an intensity that bordered on obsession. His gaze was fixed, unyielding, as if searching for answers in her pain that he couldn’t articulate.

"Will I ever be free?" Azra’s voice trembled, her lips barely moving as she spoke.

"No," Alihan replied with chilling finality, his voice a low, dark growl that seemed to merge with the night.

Azra turned to him, her eyes searching for a glimpse of empathy in his emotionless facade. "Why are you so emotionless? Don’t you feel anything?"

"I’m cursed ," His voice, hollow with a silent scream of all the emotions trapped inside, but it fails to reach beyond the emptiness.

Azra’s voice was raw, her pain spilling over. "I try to fix everything, but just when I think it’s right, a storm comes from nowhere and destroys everything. It destroys my soul too."

The cold was merciless, the air biting at their skin as if mocking their suffering. Azra’s body shivered uncontrollably, her face flushed a painful red against the night’s backdrop.

Seeing her struggle, Alihan removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. The gesture was both intimate and starkly impersonal, as if he was trying to shield her from the night’s cruel bite without acknowledging his own discomfort.

Azra’s tears had dried, her energy sapped by the cold and the weight of her sorrow. Alihan observed her in silence, allowing her to cry out her pain, his gaze a dark storm of suppressed emotions.

"Get up, Azra. It’s too dark and cold," Alihan’s voice was commanding, his tone brooking no argument.

"No, I’m not moving," Azra’s response was weak, her strength spent.

Without a word, Alihan lifted her effortlessly into his arms, his grip firm and unyielding. Azra’s attempts to break free were feeble, her strength exhausted by both the cold and her own despair. Alihan’s eyes, icy blue and inscrutable, remained locked on hers as he carried her through the darkness.

Azra, wrapped in his cold, calculated embrace, could only stare into his emotionless eyes. The contrast of his unfeeling gaze against her vulnerable, trembling form only deepened the chasm of her pain. The intensity of his stare, devoid of warmth or solace, made her feel more isolated than ever, questioning how someone could be so unmoved by the depth of human suffering.

In the dark, their shadows danced on the river’s surface, a haunting reflection of their troubled souls.

_______________________

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. It was 8:00 AM, and Azra awoke to find Alihan still asleep, an unusual sight given his habit of rising before dawn. His usual early mornings were replaced with a deep, restless slumber, his face etched with exhaustion.

Azra moved closer, her heart tightening with concern. "Alihan... Alihan," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. There was no response, just the steady rise and fall of his chest.

She reached out, placing her hand gently on his forehead. The warmth that met her fingers was unsettling. Alihan’s feverish skin was a stark contrast to his usual cool demeanor. Panic surged through her as she recalled the previous night, how he had given her his jacket without a second thought, braving the cold for her sake.

"What should I do?" Azra muttered to herself, her voice quivering with anxiety. She quickly composed herself and contacted the guard, instructing him to call Burak and a doctor immediately. Her mind raced with worry, her actions fueled by the urgency of Alihan’s condition.

_______________________

“There’s nothing to worry about,” the doctor said with a reassuring smile. “It’s just a normal fever. Just make sure to give him these medicines on time, follow the diet, and ensure he gets plenty of rest.”

“Thanks, Doctor,” Omer said, taking the prescription.

“Rest and Alihan, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Burak chuckled, eyeing the bed where Alihan lay.

“Shut up, Burak,” Alihan retorted, his voice laced with irritation.

“Doctor, could you please give me the diet list?” Azra asked, determined to ensure Alihan’s recovery.

“Oh, Azra, why are you taking so much care of this man?” Burak teased, glancing at Alihan with a smirk.

Alihan shot Burak a grin, clearly enjoying the banter.

Omer, noticing the tension, playfully smacked the back of Burak’s head. “One more from my side,” he warned, grinning.

Burak, in mock fear, darted behind Azra for cover, his laughter echoing through the room.

“Now may I leave?” the doctor asked

Burak led the doctor out, while Azra shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips amidst the chaos.

Alihan instructed Omer, “Arrange all my meetings online. I’ll attend from home and.....”

“No!” Azra interrupted loudly, her voice breaking through with a surprising force.

Alihan and Omer stared at her, stunned. It was the first time Azra had so assertively interrupted Alihan, especially in front of someone else.

“You’re not going to attend any meetings,” Azra said firmly, her voice leaving no room for negotiation. “Didn’t you hear what the doctor said? Rest is non-negotiable.”

“But I’m alright,” Alihan argued, trying to sound reasonable. “The doctor said it’s just a normal fever.....”

“No, you didn’t hear it’s no” Azra began, her frustration palpable.

“Omer, just do it,” Alihan insisted, trying to assert his will.

“No, Omer, you don’t,” Azra said, her gaze fixed resolutely on Omer.

Caught between them, Omer was clearly torn.

“It’s normal for me. I’m used to living alone and managing everything on my own. A little fever won’t affect me,” Alihan explained, his tone dismissive.

“You’re not alone anymore,” Azra said softly but firmly, her words laden with a depth of feeling that made Alihan pause. She gulped, her throat tight with emotion.

“I think it’s time to leave you both, chaotic couple,” Omer said with a mocking tone, his expression shifting to amusement.

“What’s going on?” Burak reentered, his cheerful voice a stark contrast to the tension.

Omer grabbed Burak’s collar, pulling him toward the door. “Let’s leave them to it,” he said with a grin, guiding Burak out of the room.

As the door closed behind them, the room fell silent, leaving Alihan and Azra alone to navigate the complex emotions now hanging between them.

After a long, tense silence, Azra gathered all her courage and broke it. "Do... do you need anything?" she asked, her voice trembling as if nothing had happened.

"No... no, I don’t," Alihan replied, his tone flat.

"Okay, so..." Azra began, trying to leave.

"Hmm, yes," Alihan said, his voice softening as she was about to exit. Azra paused briefly before turning and leaving the room.

_______________________

Azra labored over the stove, frustration evident as she exclaimed, “Aaaahhh, God, it’s so difficult to make!” Yet, after an hour of focused effort, she finally finished the soup, her heart set on impressing Alihan.

Alihan took a tentative sip, his face a mix of emotions. Azra, her eyes filled with nervous anticipation, watched him closely.

“How is it?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly, hoping for a glimmer of approval.

Alihan’s gaze softened as he took another sip, then finished the bowl with a smile. “Yes, it’s not that bad,” he said gently, trying to reassure her. His eyes lingered on hers, a tender warmth in his gaze that spoke of appreciation beyond mere words.

Azra, still anxious, returned to the kitchen and tasted the remaining soup. Her heart sank when she realized it was bland and lacked salt. She felt a pang of doubt how could anyone find this edible?

In the quiet of the kitchen, the realization hit her hard. “Why did Alihan eat it just because of me?” she wondered, her heart aching. The thought

_______________________

Azra wandered into the garden for a walk and spotted a surprising sight: Alihan, usually so aloof, was helping an elderly gardener with his work. His new, uncharacteristic demeanor showing kindness and effort caught her off guard.

"You can go; I'll handle this," Alihan said firmly to the old man.

Azra approached, eager to help. "I'll give you a hand."

"As you wish," Alihan replied, his tone softening.

While Azra was handing Alihan a watering pipe, it slipped from her grasp and sprayed water all over him. "I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to......" Azra began, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Before she could finish, Alihan grabbed the pipe and, with a mischievous glint in his eye, drenched Azra in return.

"No, Alihan, stop!" she squealed as she tried to escape, but he was faster. He chased her around the garden, his laughter mingling with her protests.

Finally, he cornered her, standing close enough that she could feel his breath.

"You think you can run from me, sweetheart?" he murmured, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he looked down at her, both of them dripping wet.

"No...i..mean" azra gasped

"You mean what Mrs Erdogan" Alihan bantering with smirk

"I..was..." azra groped

"Omer" azra shout

Azra, heart pounding, took the opportunity to slip away, running through the garden as Alihan’s smiling eyes followed her.

_______________________

The tension in the room was palpable as Dilara’s voice cut through the silence. “You don’t deserve him. You’ll regret marrying him, Azra.”

Ecrin’s gaze was icy, filled with disdain. “Where did you even find that girl? How could you think she belongs in our society?”

The words that followed were chillingly final. “Divorce her,” Ecrin demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The room fell silent, the weight of their words hanging heavy in the air. Azra stood frozen.

________________________

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♡

Byeeeee🤍