"Azra, you're here," Ayce said warmly.

"Nene is waiting for you; she's already arrived," Ayen informed.

Azra wears a stunning black gown that cloaks her entire body in the deepest, richest shade of black imaginable. The high-neck design accentuates her graceful neck, while the fabric, smooth and velvety, enhances her glowing skin with its contrast. The sleeves are long and dramatic, nearly brushing the ground, and they flow out from underneath, resembling the ethereal spread of dark wings, giving her an otherworldly elegance. The dress glimmers subtly as she moves, catching the faintest light, casting a mysterious yet glamorous aura around her, making her presence unforgettable.

"Your outfit is stunning, Azra," Ayce continued with a smile. "It's perfect on you."

"Thank you, you both look wonderful as well," Azra replied.

As they entered the main hall, Dilara intercepted them, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "You don't deserve him. You'll regret marrying him, Azra," she taunted with a smirk.

Azra, unfazed, met her gaze with unwavering confidence. "I won't, Dilara. And let me make this clear: you should stop trying to interfere. I can handle you, but Alihan will not tolerate this. If he learns what you're saying, you know well what the consequences will be."

Dilara fell silent, clearly taken aback.

Ecrin Erdogan sat on the couch, her expression cold and filled with contempt. Azra approached and bowed in respect, but Ecrin pulled her hand back sharply.

"Where did he even find you?" Ecrin's voice was frigid. "You don't belong in our society."

(Do vote)

The next words were chilling, each one pronounced with finality. "Divorce her," Ecrin demanded, her tone leaving no room for debate.

The room was thick with tension. Azra stood still, her heart pounding.

Suddenly, Alihan entered the hall, his presence commanding and intense.

"I didn't choose this path; fate did. Our bond is unbreakable. I will stand by Azra until my last breath. No one will sever what we share," he declared with dark resolve, his voice a low, powerful echo.

Alihan approached Ecrin, his demeanor respectful and composed. He knelt before her, gently taking her hand and kissing it. His eyes remained locked on Azra's, silently promising his unwavering protection and loyalty.

Ecrin cherished Alihan more than anyone. She looked at him with a mixture of affection and concern. "Alihan, why did you marry her?" Ecrin asked, softly touching his cheek.

"Nene, don’t you trust me?" Alihan responded, his voice steady and sincere.

"Give her a chance and some time," he continued, a reassuring smile forming on his lips. "Then you can make your decision."

"But..." Ecrin began, uncertainty in her voice.

Alihan gently interrupted, "Nene, just give her a chance."

Ecrin sighed, her love for Alihan evident in her eyes. She nodded slightly, trusting in Alihan’s conviction.

Ecrin Erdogan, a formidable 66 year old matriarch, holds a crucial 20% share in the Erdogan empire. Known for her strict, traditional values, she believes in keeping family wealth within the family. Ecrin is Altan's aunt and has always pushed for family loyalty and consolidation, even urging Alihan to marry Dilara, a plan he defied. Despite her rigid demeanor, Alihan respects and loves her deeply, recognizing the strength and wisdom she brings to the family. Her presence is a powerful force, embodying the weight of the Erdogan legacy and the family's old-world principles.

_________________

"Ayen, let Azra know that i wants to see her in my room?" Ecrin instructed.

"Of course, Nene." Ayen found Azra in the hallway. "Azra, Nene is calling you to her room."

Azra felt a surge of anxiety but quickly composed herself. She approached Ecrin’s room and knocked softly. "Nene, did you call for me?"

"Come in," Ecrin’s voice echoed with authority.

Azra stepped into the luxurious room, her eyes briefly taking in the opulence of classical, expensive items that decorated the space.

"Sit," Ecrin commanded, pointing to a plush couch.

Azra sat down, her posture respectful and attentive. Ecrin took out a beautifully crafted box and opened it with care, revealing elegant tea sets and utensils.

"Here is everything you need for Çay Saati," Ecrin said, her tone leaving no room for error. "I’ve invited important guests, and I expect nothing less than perfection."

Ecrin’s eyes were sharp, scrutinizing Azra's every reaction. "I don't tolerate any mistakes."

Azra nodded solemnly. "I understand, Nene. I will not disappoint you."

Azra was a whirlwind of activity in the grand kitchen, overseeing every detail with intense focus. The smell of fresh pastries and brewing tea filled the air, mingling with the scent of anticipation.

"Uncle, please make sure to handle the pastries with care," Azra instructed, her voice firm yet encouraging as she glanced over her shoulder.

"Of course, Miss Azra," Uncle Mehmet replied, diligently arranging the pastries on trays.

Azra turned her attention to another corner of the kitchen. "We need two trays of each of the four types of sweets, but remember to use different measurements for each batch. We want to ensure variety."

"Got it," Uncle Mehmet responded, adjusting the quantities as instructed.

Azra moved to the tea station where several pots were bubbling. "Put four types of tea out, each with different quantities of sugar. Make sure everything is labeled clearly."

"Yes, Miss Azra," one of the kitchen staff replied, carefully measuring out the sugar.

Azra’s brow furrowed as she examined a table setting. "This table cover isn’t suitable. Use the new one I brought earlier. It’ll look much better."

The staff quickly swapped out the table cover as Azra continued to oversee the arrangements.

Dilara entered the room with a smirk, eyeing Azra’s efforts. “I see you’re busy, Azra. I hope you’re not planning on disappointing Nene with this mess. I’ve heard so much about your so-called ‘skills."

Azra’s eyes narrowed, but she remained composed. “I’m doing my best, Dilara. If you have any suggestions, I’m open to them.”

Dilara’s smile widened, clearly enjoying the tension. “Well, just make sure everything is perfect. We wouldn’t want to embarrass ourselves, would we?”

Azra took a deep breath, focusing on her tasks. “Everything will be perfect, Dilara. Thank you for your concern.”

As she continued her preparations, the staff worked efficiently under her guidance, transforming the room into a stunning venue for Çay Saati. The meticulous attention to detail reflected Azra’s determination to prove herself and make a lasting impression.

Ecrin surveyed the room with a critical eye, her gaze softening as she took in the elegant setup. After a moment, she gave a nod of approval. "It's not that bad," she said, her tone a mix of reluctant acceptance and grudging admiration. "I can see that your choice of style is quite refined, Azra."

Just then, the door opened, and Alihan stepped in, his presence commanding attention. He took in the transformed space, his eyes gleaming with pride as he glanced at Azra.

"Sorry I was late, Nene," Alihan said, moving towards Ecrin with a respectful nod. His gaze lingered on Azra, and he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her hard work.

Leaning in close to Azra, he whispered with a teasing grin, "Don't tell me you baked these pastries yourself."

Azra shot him a playful glare, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Oh, shut your mouth, Alihan."

Alihan chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the moment. "Alright, alright. You did a great job," he said, his voice warm and sincere.

As the guests began to arrive, Ecrin remarked to her friend, "This is the first time I’ve seen Alihan genuinely smile since his mother’s death. She is perfect for my son."

The party was going smoothly, with Azra bustling in the kitchen preparing some final touches. Alihan was mingling outside when a loud explosion suddenly erupted from the kitchen.

The room fell silent as everyone turned toward the commotion.

Alihan’s heart raced as he sprinted toward the kitchen, the acrid smell of smoke growing stronger with each step. His face was a mask of both fury and fear.

Inside, the kitchen was a chaotic blaze. Without a second thought, Alihan dashed through the flames, his gaze locking onto Azra, who lay unconscious on the floor amidst the chaos. His eyes burned with a combination of tension, and an overwhelming sense of dread.

He knelt beside her, his hands shaking as he carefully lifted her from the ground. His voice cracked with desperation. "Azra! Azra, wake up!"

The other guests, their faces pale with shock, hurried toward him. "Alihan, what happened? Is she alright?"

Alihan’s eyes, usually so controlled, were now stormy with anguish. "Get the car out here now!" he shouted, his voice raw and urgent. He turned, carrying Azra with a mix of fierce protectiveness and frantic worry, his mind racing with the fear of losing her.



Alihan's POV

As I paced the cold, sterile hallway outside the doctor’s room, a torrent of emotions surged through me, threatening to overwhelm my usually guarded composure. For the first time, I found myself utterly and terrifyingly vulnerable. The dread of potentially losing Azra was an unbearable weight, pressing down on my chest with a relentless force.

My hands, usually steady and firm, trembled violently. I clenched them into fists, but the shaking persisted, an outward manifestation of the chaos within. The familiar hardness of my heart was replaced by an unsettling pain, each beat feeling like a cruel reminder of my fear.

Why was this happening? Why was my heart twisting with such torment? The thought of losing Azra tore through me like a dark storm, filling me with a deep, gnawing anguish. I found myself pleading silently for her safety, my mind racing through worst-case scenarios, each one more horrifying than the last.

My love for her, though often unspoken, surged to the forefront of my mind, an intense, consuming force that left me feeling exposed and helpless.

Every moment that ticked by felt like an eternity. I was trapped in a shadowy realm of fear and uncertainty, my usual control slipping away as I faced the terrifying possibility of losing her. The dark, unspoken depth of my feelings for Azra was now laid bare, a profound testament to just how much she meant to me, and how much I feared losing her.

Author's Pov

"Please, Azra," Alihan murmured to himself, his voice trembling as if the words themselves might conjure her back. "You have to be alright. I can’t... I can’t lose you."

Omer and Burak stood beside him, their presence a small comfort in the midst of his torment. Their silent support, though deeply felt, did little to quell the storm raging inside him.

_________________

Elsewhere, a shadowy figure seethed with frustration.

"Is she dead or not?" the voice demanded harshly over the phone.

"She’s been admitted to the hospital," came the terse response.

The man's rage exploded. "You can’t kill a girl? You all are useless, bloody rascals!" he roared, hurling the phone against the wall. The device shattered into pieces, a stark testament to his fury and desperation.

Flashback

Fifteen-year-old Alihan stood outside his parents' bedroom, his heart pounding at the sound of the escalating argument inside.

"How can you be that selfish, Altan?" Derya's voice was sharp, filled with a mixture of anger and betrayal.

"I just need some funds for investment," Altan's voice was gruff, defensive.

"You stole that money from the research lab under my name," Derya retorted, her tone a mix of fury and disbelief.

"We're a couple. What’s wrong with that?" Altan snapped back, his frustration evident.

"You’re always ungrateful for everything you’ve been given. I can’t live with a thief," Derya’s voice cracked with emotional pain.

In a sudden, brutal move, Altan slapped Derya. The sound of the slap reverberated through the room.

Derya, her face flushed and eyes brimming with unshed tears, looked out through the crack in the door where Alihan stood frozen, witnessing the scene. Her gaze was pained but resolute as she held her silence.

“No, no, sorry Derya, I... I just lost control,” Altan stammered, his voice tinged with regret.

Derya turned to leave, her expression one of deep sadness and resignation.

“Mom, where are you going?” Alihan called out, stepping forward with concern.

“Alihan, it’s an emergency. Mom has to go,” Derya said, her voice tight with urgency.

“But Mom.....” Alihan began, but Derya cut him off.

“Just give me some time, Alihan. I’ll be back,” she promised, her voice trembling as she left.

Flashback Ends

"She is no more Sorry" Doctor said

___________________________

_________________

♡

Thank you for reading this chapter! I hope you're enjoying

the twists and turns of Azra and Alihan's story. Stay tuned for more drama and suspense in the next chapter.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for exclusive spoilers and updates!

Byeeeee🤍