Chapter 15
I could barely contain my emotions when I saw the pregnancy test result.
I was carrying the child of Ayaz, the love of my life.
I couldn’t believe this little test was about to change everything forever.
My father would have to accept the end of my arranged engagement to Yusuf, since I was pregnant with another man’s child—and then my beloved and I could finally be open about our feelings, get married, and live happily ever after.
But first I had to tell him that I was the daughter of Hilal Aydin, the greatest enemy of the organization he led. Our families had been at war for years. I knew I needed to do it soon, even though it wouldn’t be easy.
We arranged to meet, and my heart was racing, pounding hard in my chest, as I entered our secret spot—the place we’d chosen as a refuge for our love, the most special place in the world to us.
He’d said he also had something important to tell me.
I knew this moment would be difficult, but I needed to be honest with my love.
A mixture of emotions churned inside me—anxious euphoria and persistent fear. This meeting would change everything.
Ayaz was waiting for me, his face bright with a welcoming smile. He was the man I loved more than anything in this world.
“Eda…” he said affectionately, moving closer to kiss me.
But before our lips could touch, I pulled back, gripping his hand firmly. I needed to tell him everything now or I’d lose my courage.
“Ayaz,” I began, my voice wavering, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What’s going on, Eda?” He frowned, concern in his dark eyes. “You seem tense.”
I took a deep breath and looked him in the eye, trying to find the strength to reveal the secret I’d been carrying.
“I’m pregnant, Ayaz. We’re expecting a child.”
His eyes widened in surprise, and a heavy silence fell between us. It was as if the whole world had stopped and only we existed in that moment.
“Eda, this is… this is incredible,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m going to be a father.”
“Yes, Ayaz.” I felt so relieved by his initial reaction. “We’re starting a family, but that’s not all,” I said desperately, afraid his mood might shift.
The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a somber expression. He stepped back, and panic began to rise inside me.
“What else is going on, Eda?”
“I need to tell you the truth about myself.” His eyes locked onto mine, staring intensely. “You have to know who I am.”
My heart leaped, and a chill ran through my body.
“And who are you, Eda?”
“Eda Aydin… the only daughter of Hilal Aydin.”
“You found out who I am and you’re playing with me, aren’t you?” He sighed, looking defeated. “Tell me this isn’t true. This is impossible. I could never be with someone from your family.”
“But, Ayaz, we can overcome this. Our love is stronger than any feud between our families.”
“You don’t understand, Eda. I can’t be with you. Not after what happened in the past.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know very well what I’m talking about.
Your father is responsible for my baba’s death.
He set up an ambush and murdered him,” he shouted, his voice trembling with rage and disgust. “And you, Eda, even if indirectly, are part of this history of betrayal, hatred, and revenge. His blood runs through your veins—and through this child you’re carrying. ”
“This can’t be true.” I froze in front of him, unable to accept it.
“But it is. And stop trying to fool me, pretending to be innocent, acting like you don’t know anything.
Now I see you’re just like your father.” He pointed his finger at me and started accusing me of a bunch of absurd things.
“Murat warned me from the beginning that this could all be a trap. How could I not have seen it? You lied and manipulated me to get what you wanted. What’s your endgame here?
That after this child grows up, I’ll hand over all the power of my faction to her? That’s never going to happen.”
“Ayaz, please, believe me,” I tried to argue, tears of desperation already streaming down my face.
“I’m not my father. I truly love you, and all I want is a future—the two of us and our child.
TOGETHER! You know that. I chose to tell you the truth because you’re the man I love and trust. Until a few days ago, I didn’t even know who you were.
I found out through my cousin Elif, on the day I was supposed to meet you.
That’s why she didn’t show up that night. ”
“And to think I was afraid to reveal myself all this time, terrified of losing you. I was going to do it today—and you already knew everything, hiding a secret bigger than mine.” He punched the wall hard.
“I don’t believe you anymore. And I don’t want anything to do with you or this baby.
Who’s to say it’s even mine? I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s that Yusuf’s—your little arranged fiancé you kept dragging your feet about breaking up with. Get out of here and never come back.”
“Ayaz, please...” I begged. “Of course this baby is yours—I lost my virginity to you. Don’t say such crazy things when you’re upset. Don’t do this to me. Let’s talk.”
“You’d better leave before I do something stupid, Eda.” He threw the door open and pointed to the building hallway. “GET OUT OF HERE NOW!” he shouted, enraged. “I never want to see your face again.”
“I’m so sorry, Ayaz... so very sorry.” I meant every word, tears still streaming down my face.
“I thought you’d be the one person who would never abandon me, who would always protect me, but I was wrong.
True to your nickname, Ayaz the Cruel, you’re abandoning me to my fate in one of the hardest moments of my life.
I’m the one who never wants to see you again. ”
Tears flooded my face as I left the apartment, slamming the door hard behind me. My heart was broken and my future uncertain. I no longer had anywhere to go back to, and the pain of hearing those words would scar me forever.
My world had collapsed. With my baba’s enemy’s baby growing in my womb and the love I’d believed eternal now shattered, Ayaz had cast me out of his life.
My broken sobs mixed with the pain as I walked down the hallway, desolate, leaving behind the apartment that had once been our refuge, now nothing but an emptiness that could never be filled.
Now I needed to figure out how to tell my father and Yusuf—and face them alone. The worst part was that I had no idea how I would do it.