Arzu woke up, not from the physical exhaustion the accident had caused, but from the heavy weight pressing down on her heart. She didn't care how long she had slept or where she was. Even in her dreams, something someone had pulled her towards the shore like a lighthouse: her son...
She shifted slightly and turned her head toward the light filtering through the window. It was still daylight.
I guess I haven't slept long, she thought.
Instinctively, she reached for her phone but it was nowhere to be found.
When she tried to stand, pain shot through her leg with a fierce throbbing. She stumbled but managed to steady herself by clinging to the walls. She was wearing nothing but a bathrobe.
"I must've been covered in blood. Of course they had to take off my clothes," she muttered.
Opening the door, she found herself facing a long corridor. From its design, she could tell she was in an old mansion.
Carefully, she made her way down the hall and spotted a garden through large glass doors a magical sight. A path lined with flowers, trees dancing in the soft breeze, and in the center, a small pond teeming with ornamental fish...
For a moment, the view calmed her restless heart.
Childlike excitement made her limp toward the doors, but her leg had finally given up. Her ankle twisted, sending her lurching forward.
But she never hit the ground.
Hovering in midair, she stared in disbelief at her own feet.
Turning her head, she saw the owner of the strong arms holding her.
It was him.
Broad-shouldered, rugged, and exuding a self-assured air, he cradled Arzu in his arms like she weighed nothing. His expression was gruff, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Three fractures in your leg, and you walked on it?"
Arzu found the situation oddly funny. She covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.
"Sorry, I guess I'm a real pain in the ass, huh?" she teased.
Leaning on his arms for support, she added, "I was just looking for my phone. You can put me down now. I need to get home."
The man gave her a roguish grin and tilted his head.
"Can't you stay a little longer?"
Arzu couldn't understand why a stranger was treating her like this, but there was something magnetic about him dangerous, yet somehow comforting...
"Please, don't joke. I really need my phone. My son must be worried. Maybe they've found my car too."
Before she could finish her sentence, she was hoisted up into the air again.
Ateş slung her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.
"There's really no need, please! I can walk, slowly!" she protested.
At that moment, she felt his hand shift and then the sharp, unmistakable sound of a slap.
Had he just spanked her?!
"Stay still. You'll only hurt yourself more," he said curtly.
Arzu's eyes widened. "Are you crazy?! How dare you touch me!"
Before she could finish shouting, she felt his large hand clamp firmly over her hip, squeezing as if daring her to resist.
She was beyond shocked now. "Unbelievable! Let me go! I'm seriously getting angry!"
Right then, Ateş dropped her onto a wide couch in the middle of a spacious living room like tossing down a sack of potatoes.
Arzu tried to collect herself as he leaned over her, a smirk playing on his lips, his voice dripping with mockery.
"If you don't want me touching you, maybe try not getting yourself into situations where you need me.
I have no patience for helpless women."
Straightening up, he walked away.
Arzu fumed. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
"Jackass! Who does he think he is? It's not like I crashed into his house on purpose!" she yelled after him.
Minutes later, Ateş returned with a phone in hand.
Crossing her arms, Arzu snatched the phone from him with a glare.
"Your phone was shattered in the crash. They transferred your line to this one."
Immediately, Arzu called her son.
As soon as the line connected, a small, anxious voice filled her ear.
"Mommy, what are you doing?"
"Sweetheart, where are you? Natya said you called, but you never stay out without telling me..."
His voice was trembling, filled with worry.
Arzu's heart ached. She took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, baby. Natya was right to tell you. I forgot to call. But I'm fine now. I'm coming home soon.
You remember how to tell time, right? Can you count an hour for me?"
Mert excitedly said, "Mommy, wait, let me look at the clock," and fell silent, whispering as he counted the hands.
Hearing his tiny murmurs, Arzu realized once again that her son's arms were the only place her wounds could heal.
"Mommy, it's 4:40 right now... So... at 5... wait, how does it work"
Arzu chuckled softly. "That means I'll be home by 5:40, okay?"
"Yes! That's what I thought too. I'll be waiting, Mommy."
"I love you, my angel. See you soon."
"Love you too, Mommy."
Ateş, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, had been quietly observing.
He wondered how a woman, who had grown up as a hurt, abandoned child, could be such a loving mother.
Murmuring to himself, he said, "Looks like you grew up beautifully... Meanwhile, I'm still stuck as the broken kid."
When Arzu hung up, she felt a wave of peace wash over her.
Despite how rudely this man had acted, she couldn't deny he had done something for her that no one else had.
In a hoarse voice, she said, "Thank you."
Taking a deep breath, she added, "If you give me your number, I'll send you my email. Please send me the bills for the medical care and the phone. I don't like feeling indebted."
Ateş tilted his head slightly, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and said casually, "Well, look at that. I love rich women."
Arzu sighed. "Are you always this insufferably sarcastic?"
Ateş shrugged. "Not usually. Must be your influence," he said with a wink.
Arzu smiled weakly. "I'm sorry about the car, too. I'll pay for it."
Ateş pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to her.
It read: Yaman Korutürk.
Arzu looked up at him, surprised. "So, you run a dealership. Good. I'll contact you."
Ateş nodded. "Don't worry about the car. It's in our lot but it's totaled.
If you want, I can see if it's repairable."
Arzu shook her head, her voice bitter. "No, scrap it. Sell it, whatever.
I don't even want that bastard's car near my house."
Ateş gave her a sly grin. "As you wish, Miss Arzu."
Then he handed her a prescription.
"These are your medications. You should rest.
There's a car waiting to take you home."
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he glanced mischievously at her and pointed at her robe.
"By the way... your clothes were trashed.
So... feel free to keep the robe."
Arzu flushed bright red. "I... um... I'll return it! Or buy a new one!" she stammered.
Ateş chuckled softly. "Whatever you prefer, ma'am," he said, giving her a wink.
As Arzu sat in the car, she couldn't shake the warmth the mansion had left in her chest.
Staring out the window, something inside her whispered:
You'll come back here.
But for now, only one thought consumed her:
They would pay.
Her husband had betrayed her and everyone who had helped cover it up would answer for it.
Fury pulsed in her veins, her breathing ragged.
She clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms and still felt no pain.
Her face hardened, her eyes like steel.
This wasn't an end it was a beginning.
It was time to rise from the ashes.
And everyone watching would finally learn exactly who she was.