Chapter 24
I sat at the table with my family, watching Eda struggle to fit into a world that wasn’t hers.
She looked deeply uncomfortable, and I knew that wasn’t fair.
After the humiliation she’d endured at that dinner, I knew it was time to do something to demonstrate she was part of Can’s life—at least while she remained under my roof.
I decided it was time to introduce her to the world alongside my son, once and for all.
To make things easier, I decided to throw a party at my mansion.
I’d invite friends, family, and even some business associates, and I’d introduce Eda and Can to everyone.
I’d make it clear that she was my son’s mother and that, despite being the enemy’s daughter, she would remain among us as long as Can still needed her—and she deserved everyone’s respect.
But the most important thing was to make clear that once the baby no longer needed her, she would have to leave.
On the night of the party, the decorations were perfect, the lights glowed festively, and music filled the air.
When Eda descended the stairs and joined the celebration, she was stunning despite her apprehension, wearing a dress that accentuated her natural beauty.
She held Can in her arms, and my heart swelled with pride at the sight of him.
I introduced her to everyone, emphasizing her importance in my son’s life.
Everyone seemed to understand the message I was sending and treated Eda with the respect she deserved.
I stepped up to the makeshift podium and raised a toast to the guests, expressing my joy at having them there to celebrate with us. Then I turned to Eda and Can and began my speech:
“Good evening, everyone! Ladies and gentlemen, it brings me great joy to welcome you to the Yavuz mansion tonight, and I want to thank you all for being here to celebrate with us. As you know, this is a very special party for me, because it’s the first time I’m officially introducing my son’s mother, Eda, and our Can to all of you.
I want you to meet the woman who brought my son into the world.
She’s an essential part of his life, and it’s time to welcome her with open arms, even though she’s the enemy’s daughter.
What I want to make clear tonight is that all of us—family and friends—must welcome and respect her as Can’s mother.
This is a moment of joy, but also of reflection, and I’d like to share something important with you. ”
My gaze swept over the crowd, making it clear there was no room for exclusion. However, I knew I couldn’t hide the darker side of the situation. I looked at Eda and addressed everyone in a firm voice:
“A few days ago, life presented me with unexpected challenges—challenges that brought me a new light, a new hope, through my son. However, like any family, we have obstacles to face. Eda will remain here as long as Can needs her direct care, and our priority is to create a safe and welcoming environment for our son. But when the day comes that he no longer depends on her, when he no longer needs his mother’s constant presence, she’ll go her own way and move on with her life.
This is a decision I’ve made, based on what I believe is best for all of us. ”
An uneasy murmur rippled through the crowd, and I saw the shock on Eda’s face.
“In any case, I want to thank everyone for their understanding and for being here tonight to share this special moment with me and my family. I hope this evening can be a new beginning. Now, let’s celebrate, enjoy what the future holds, and embrace this new chapter in our lives!”
Eda gathered my son in her arms, making it clear she was ready to leave the party early, but I stopped her.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I think it’s time for us to call it a night.” She sighed. “Can needs to nurse and sleep, and I’m tired too.”
“No way, the celebration is just getting started!” I gave her a firm look. “You can’t just disappear from your own introduction party. You’re right about Can, but he can wait a little longer. Come on, how about a dance?”
“A dance? Here in front of everyone?” she asked, surprised. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ayaz. Can really needs to nurse and sleep soon. He’s just a baby.”
“Just one song.” I extended my hand to her. “You once told me you’re a great dancer, but I haven’t had the chance to see for myself yet. Trust me, Eda. It’ll be fun.”
“All right, Ayaz, but just one song.” She sighed.
“Great! I knew you couldn’t resist.”
I chose a tango—a dance that demands passion and surrender—and we began a sensual, provocative dance that felt more like a battle of words than of movements. We provoked each other with gestures and sharp remarks. Harsh words were exchanged, truths were spoken, and desire burned between us.
“Looks like you’re angry with me over what I said in my speech.” I pulled her closer, tightening my embrace and pressing our bodies together.
“Oh no, not at all—it was wonderful when you announced in front of everyone that you’ll toss me aside as soon as our son doesn’t need me anymore,” she shot back, maintaining eye contact as our legs intertwined slowly and sensually.
“You could have been more subtle in your speech, Ayaz,” she whispered.
“It was perfectly clear to everyone that you’re going to discard me the moment you don’t need me anymore. ”
“I didn’t say anything you didn’t already know, Eda.
I was honest with my people—something not everyone can claim,” I said, irritated, lifting my leg higher than necessary and wrapping it around hers longer than normal.
“This is the reality we’re facing.” I looked at her intensely. “We can’t deny that.”
“Ah, of course, 'reality.' With that fertile imagination of yours, you're so good at dealing with it, aren't you?” she said with a hint of sarcasm.
“Believe it or not, I think that part of your speech was unnecessary, Ayaz.
Besides, I'm Can's mother, and I'm not giving up that easily on staying by his side.” She glared at me, her hips swaying in broader, more sensual movements.
“Of course, of course,” I said sarcastically.
“After all, you've always been your baba's spoiled little princess, a perfect copy of him, raised in his image to succeed him and used to getting everything you want.
It can't be easy to admit you lost and that I'm the one calling the shots now. The one who should be your greatest enemy.” Still moving to the rhythm of the music, I ran my hand through her hair and touched her face gently, ratcheting up the tension between us.
“You can't blame me for being suspicious, Eda,” I added with a touch of skepticism. “After all, you're the daughter of...”
“Don't start with that, Ayaz. Don't bring my family into this.” She bristled with irritation.
“I've already told you once, and you know damn well I'm not my father and I'm nothing like him—otherwise you wouldn't have brought me into your house in the first place.” I moved even closer to her, and our gazes locked in a game of seduction, crackling with intensity.
“I don't know anything, Eda,” I said, my voice dripping with disdain and challenge.
“How can I be sure of that and believe someone who grew up in such a corrupt, selfish family of enemies? How do I know if everything you told me is true?” Still dancing, we moved toward each other with calculated steps, grace, and confidence, maintaining a provocative distance as the tension in the air thickened.
“How can I trust that you didn't get close to me just to help your baba bring me down, when our families have been at war?”
“What you're saying is so unfair to me, Ayaz,” she snapped, irritated.
“You know I have nothing to do with what my father did in the past. We were even fighting when I got pregnant because I didn't agree with his methods and the arranged marriage he wanted to force me into.
If you can't see that, then maybe you don't deserve my consideration.” Our bodies drew closer cautiously, our hands touching gently, as if exploring each other's skin, sending shivers of desire through us.
The guests watched us intently, and at the end of the dance, everyone applauded as we separated and then came back together, our gazes burning with overwhelming passion and sexual tension, making everyone around us hold their breath.
Eda was even more irritated than when we'd started, but when the music ended, I leaned in as if to kiss her, and her expression softened for a moment. We stared at each other, desire evident in our eyes, for a few seconds that felt like an eternity.
“You're not going to push me out of my son's life that easily,” she murmured, just for me to hear.
“You should know by now that here, in my house, in my world, in my empire, things happen my way, Eda,” I replied with a subtle, provocative smile. “Don't challenge me. Remember, you're still here because I want you to stay, but that can change at any moment.”
After that, she pulled away from me and, with our son already in her arms, cast one last defiant look at me before walking away, climbing the stairs, and heading to the bedroom to sleep.
I knew Eda was still uncomfortable, but I hoped the party and the dance had shown her how much I wanted her to fit in here until she had to leave—because whether she wanted to or not, she would.
The party continued, but the tension from our dance lingered in the air. I knew there was much to resolve, and that the situation between us was far from over.