Chapter 28
I rejected Eda's proposal to help us find my uncle. No matter how desperately I needed to find him, I wasn't willing to work with her. I couldn't trust her again—and I didn't want to.
Afterward, I sat in my office, lost in dark thoughts. It wasn't a decision I'd made lightly. I had to think about everyone's safety. What if it was an ambush and she was leading me—and my best men—to our deaths?
When I talked to Murat, I explained my decision and the reasons behind it.
He listened attentively, then suggested we reconsider Eda's proposal.
As he closed the door behind him, he gave me a questioning look and said that maybe we could negotiate some terms with her—that having her on our side could be an advantage.
“Can you tell me why you refused Eda's offer?” my cousin asked curiously.
“It's complicated, Murat.” I sighed. “Her offer could lead us to her baba, but she's imposed conditions, and I'm not sure I can trust her. What if she's leading us straight into an Aydin trap?”
“Do you think she might be plotting something?” he asked thoughtfully.
“I don't know, but I can't ignore the risk,” I said, uncertain. “Uncle Zeki is in danger, and we can't risk his life—let alone ours and our men's.”
“Ayaz, you know Eda is the mother of your son.” He fixed me with a serious look.
“I don't think she'd do anything to hurt you or separate you from Can.
And her family—the ones who should have protected her—abandoned her to die on that island.
Maybe she's written them off. Either way, we should reconsider her offer,” he said calmly.
“I understand your distrust, but think about it carefully. Besides, my baba is in danger. This could be our best chance to rescue him.”
“So you think we should trust her?” I was starting to consider it.
“Ayaz, trust is always a risk, but if you don't give her a chance—give her the benefit of the doubt—it might be too late. Eda knows the ins and outs of her family's organization, and that could be valuable to us.”
“I don't want to risk Can's safety and well-being,” I added reluctantly.
“I understand, Ayaz, but you could make her a counterproposal,” he concluded with empathy.
“Tell her she has to come with us on the rescue mission if she wants her conditions met.
If it's a trap, she'll certainly refuse to go.
But if something still goes wrong, we'll be there together to fight them.”
“All right, Murat. You're right.” I sighed. “I'll talk to Eda and accept her offer and her conditions. But in exchange, she has to come with us—to make sure everything goes smoothly and that we're not walking into a trap.”
“You made the right decision, Ayaz.” He smiled. “Together, we'll get through this and save my baba.”
My thoughts became even more tangled. Murat had a point: Eda wouldn't harm Can—I was sure of that. So after my conversation with him, I decided to go to her and continue our discussion. She seemed nervous and anxious.
“Eda, I talked to Murat, and he made me realize that perhaps I was too hasty in rejecting your offer.” I spoke sincerely.
“If you agree to my proposal, I'll accept your conditions.
You won't just tell us where my uncle is—you'll take us to him.
You'll come with us on the rescue operation.
And in exchange, you'll get what you've wanted so badly: you won't have to leave once Can no longer depends on you. We just need to find a solution for the tension between us, and your messenger will have work and protection here at the mansion.”
Eda looked at me, surprised and apprehensive. Her hands were trembling, and I could see the hesitation in her eyes.
“Ayaz, I... I don't know if I should go,” she said nervously. “They want me as a bargaining chip for your uncle. They could grab me and keep me captive there, forcing me to live far from my son. I don't know if I'm brave enough to face them like that.”
“I understand your fears, but I have mine too. I don't know if I can trust your word alone. You imposed your conditions—and these are mine.”
Eda looked at our son, who was playing innocently in the garden. Her eyes filled with tears, and she finally agreed.
“All right, Ayaz,” she said resolutely. “I accept your conditions. I'll go with you to rescue your uncle. I can't bear being separated from my son again. I love him too much—I couldn't stand that pain. And Leyla needs protection too. She's done so much for me, and now it's my turn to repay her.”
I knew she still had her own motivations, but now that she was coming with us, I could at least keep an eye on her. I just hoped this decision wouldn't come back to haunt us.