Chapter 21

"Ilgaz," she calls out to him one morning as she's standing in front of the bedroom mirror.

"Sevgilim," he responds, using the same tone she does. It makes her laugh when he's silly like this.

"I need you to look at something."

She waits until he comes over and then turns around so that he can see her problem.

"You promised I wasn't showing yet. So how do you explain these?"

She looks down and waves her hands at the overflow from her bra cups.

His eyes actually brighten with delight.

"I'm not sure how you want me to answer. I see no problem from where I'm standing. In fact," he starts, reaching out and pulling her to him. He presses a kiss to the base of her neck where it meets her shoulder. "I can show you exactly how much I appreciate your new … assets."

"Ilgaz," she half groans, half moans. But she doesn't push him away. She even tilts her head a little to give him more room to work.

In the past month since she got out of the hospital, she's been reading all the books and blogs telling her what to expect. But aside from being a bit more tired, and constantly having to use the bathroom, she didn't suffer from too many of the pregnancy symptoms at first. She didn't really feel pregnant. But suddenly, she wakes up one morning and everything just looks … swollen. Yes. Swollen is the best word she can come up with why she suddenly can't fit into her bras anymore. And why her pants won't fasten.

"Everything is too tight," she sighs. "Nothing fits anymore."

"It's fine," he quickly says, patting her back. "Just don't start crying, okay?"

She gives him a side eye glance. She doesn't cry … that much.

"I don't cry," she repeats out loud for his benefit.

He opens his mouth, about to say something to the contrary, but she beats him to it.

"Last night doesn't count. You put on that dizi that always makes me cry."

"You cried during the commercials, Ceylin," he reminds her.

She scowls. Okay. Maybe she did cry. But it was that coffee commercial when the older brother came home from being away at college to find his little sister all grown up and wondering where the time went. Everyone cries watching that commercial.

"And you cried the other day when we took Asen out for a walk around the neighborhood," he adds.

"The puppy, Ilgaz! He couldn't hop up on the curb because his little legs were too short and his owner was leaving him behind. Only someone cold and heartless wouldn't have felt sad for that poor thing."

"And then …"

She raises a hand to stop him from saying anything else.

"I get it, okay? Maybe I have been a little emotional."

Ilgaz just smiles and gives her a kiss on the cheek.

"The doctor says it's normal," he says. "Hormones. Your body is changing, Sweetheart."

She just scowls again. He's so annoyingly sensible sometimes. He annoys her even more when he walks to the closet and pulls out a dress that she had always complained about being a little too big. But pair it with a blazer - those thankfully still fit - and she'll look just as crisp as professional as she always does.

So. Annoyingly. Sensible. But she thanks him anyway. This solves her problem until she can buy some more comfortable clothes. She steps into the dress and turns for him to zip up the back for her. Perfect fit. But it makes her break out into a cold sweat anyway. Because now, she has no more excuses.

Ilgaz comes up behind her and puts his hands on her shoulders. He whispers softly to her, "We can always put this off another few days if you want."

She should have known he'd realize what the real problem is. She turns to him and leans her head into his chest. He wraps his arms around her and holds her close. Her mother has been in the mental hospital for a month now. And they finally called to say that Ceylin and Aylin could visit her. Ceylin isn't entirely sure she wants to. Not yet. Not after what her mother did.

But she also knows she can't put this off. She needs to be able to move on with her life. She needs to be able to have as peaceful a pregnancy as she can. Her children deserve to have the best of her. She can't be her best with this hanging over her.

"I need to get this over with," she finally says after convincing herself that it's for the best.

"Whatever you decide, I'm there with you," he promises.

She knows. It's yet another thing she loves about him. He's always right where she needs him. She takes another moment in his arms before finally pulling away.

"I'm going to finish getting ready," she says. "We can go when Esma Abla gets here to watch Asen."

One last kiss from him and he heads out the door. She'll take all the love she can get from him. She's going to need it to get her through these next few hours.

Aylin is already there when they get to the hospital. Her sister takes one look at Ilgaz and lets out a disappointed sigh. This has been a tense month for the sisters. Aylin has seen all of the evidence and knows exactly what her mother did. But she blames Ilgaz for Ceylin refusing to be her mother's lawyer. It had caused a big fight.

"She's our mother, Ceylin. How could you just leave her in that place?" Aylin had asked. Screamed, really.

"Because it's where she needs to be. She needs help. What she did was not okay. We both almost died. Especially you. If Ilgaz hadn't found you in time, you would have."

"That wasn't really her fault," Aylin had insisted. "She was trying to protect us both."

"By kidnapping my son? I'm not seeing it, Aylin. She took my child. She gave him away. Sold him, actually. She never intended for me to see him again. How can you not see that as a problem?"

"She made a mistake. But she's our mother. We can't just leave her."

"Aylin, what if it was Parla she did this to?"

Aylin had just rolled her eyes and scoffed, telling Ceylin that it was a totally different situation. And Ceylin knew right then and there why it was so different.

"You think Asen is different because I didn't give birth to him," Ceylin accused. And Aylin hadn't denied it. "You don't see him as a part of this family. Maybe you don't see me as a part of this family either."

"You don't act like it, Ceylin."

That had been a blow. But Ceylin had taken it and realized that maybe they're right. Maybe she's tired of doing everything from them and getting nothing in return. She took a long, reflective look at herself. And it ashamed her to admit that had her mother been accused of doing what she did to any other child, to any other family, she would have defended her to the bitter end. Even with all of the evidence. Even with the footage from the police body cam that captured the entire transaction. She would have defended her mother. What does that say about her? That she would overlook such a sin for the sake of her mother. That she would let another family suffer the way she and Ilgaz suffered. To fear the way they feared. And still fear to this day. To feel the gut punch knowing that someone so close had done something so horrendous. Had it not happened to her, Ceylin would have done her best to make sure her mother would be home by now. Some other family would be wondering why they didn't get justice. Ceylin deserves justice.

"Maybe you're right," Ceylin had said. "Maybe it's time I put my husband and child first. That I prioritize the family Ilgaz and I are trying to build. Anne almost ruined that family. On purpose, Aylin. This wasn't some accident or mistake. It was intentional. I have to make sure nothing like that happens to my family ever again."

Her hand had gone to her stomach as she remembered the life within that she was also now responsible for. The life she also needed to protect.

That was the last conversation she and Aylin had had. Parla still called and came over, but her sister was being stubborn. And determined to find a lawyer. Ceylin has no idea where she'll find one. Or the money to pay for one. But she'll worry about that later. At the moment, their mother is exactly where she needs to be. And Ceylin is about to face her for the first time since all this mess happened. The thought makes her queasy.

"Hey, are you okay?" Ilgaz asks, tucking her hair behind her ear. "You turned a little green."

Of course morning sickness would pick now to kick in. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, willing her suddenly riotous stomach to calm. Ilgaz puts a bottle of water in her hand and she takes a drink. He holds her as she just keeps breathing. His gentle touch makes everything steady again. If she wasn't so possessive, she'd brag to one and all about her amazing husband, curer of morning sickness. But the idea of another woman touching her husband brings thoughts of violence. No, she'll keep him for herself.

"I'm better," she says, giving him a grateful smile.

But the smile drops when the door to the lobby opens. Her mother's doctor stands on the other side. It was time.

"My girls," her mother says when they walk into the room. Aylin runs into the woman's open arms and holds her tight. Ceylin holds back for a moment. But just a moment. It is her mother, no matter what she's done. And she hasn't seen the woman in a month. She forgets about everything for a moment and sinks into the embrace.

"They wouldn't let me see you in the hospital," Gül tells them. "How are you both doing? Have you been taking care of each other?"

Aylin gives Ceylin an almost accusing glare. And Ceylin actually does feel guilty. She's had more than enough people to dote on her and to take care of her since she got out of the hospital. Even Makbule made sure to send plenty of food. She claimed it was to make sure Ilgaz didn't go hungry. But there was a meal or two included that Ceylin knew was made with her in mind. But Aylin didn't really have that much support. The only thing Ceylin could do was make sure Parla took home plenty of leftovers whenever the teen came to dinner. And surprisingly Osman finally showed up and made sure Aylin made it back and forth to doctor's appointments.

"We're both fine now, Anne," Ceylin says, not directly answering the question. "Let's sit down."

There's a table in the middle of the room. Gül and her doctor sit on one side, Ceylin and Aylin on the other.

"How about you, Anne? Are you well?" Aylin asks, taking her mother's hands into her own.

"It's been fine," Gül says, shooting a furtive glance at her doctor. "We talk a lot. Get plenty of exercise. There's a garden here with fresh herbs. We have days when they let us cook if we desire. So the herbs are nice to have."

"Your mother has made good progress," the doctor interjects. "The therapy and medication have helped a lot."

Ceylin notices the scowl on her mother's face and wonders what that's about.

"Anne? Is that true?" Ceylin asks. Her mother remains silent, so Ceylin looks to the doctor.

"Slow progress," the doctor admits. "But any progress is a good thing."

"I prefer my own space. My own home," Gül says. "When will I be able to get out of here? Ceylin, your husband had me locked in here. What are you doing to get me out?"

Everyone looks at Ceylin, as if they have the same question. Ceylin is frankly flabbergasted. Is she the only one who understands why her mother is here? The doctor of all people should understand.

"Your mother feels like your husband and his family are alienating you from her," the doctor explains after getting a nod from Gül. "She feels you aren't hearing her concerns because he has you fooled into believing she's the bad guy."

"Doctor, my mother took part in a plan to kidnap and sell my son," Ceylin says, surprised at how even her voice is. Because she feels anything other than calm. "That plan resulted in both my sister and I being badly injured and hospitalized. My son was ripped from his home and no one could find him. My husband was frantic, worried about me. Worried about our son. Yet he had the presence of mind to realize that my mother needed help, not a jail sentence. That is why she is here. Otherwise, she'd be in prison."

"Ceylin," her mother sighs, shaking her head. "You still don't see it, do you? You don't see that man's true face."

Ceylin wants to cry. She can't believe her mother is still on this. She knows for a fact that the doctor has all the pertinent details. She knows for a fact that the therapists have been working on trying to get her mother to accept reality.

"And what's his true face, Anne?"

"He's a killer, just like his father and brother. And he's a …" Gül looks around and lowers her voice, almost as if she's embarrassed to say the word. "He's a pervert. He got that young girl pregnant and then killed her."

Ceylin was afraid of this. Luckily she came prepared. She reaches down into her bag and pulls out a thick folder. She may not get her mother to believe the truth, but she will make her mother at least face the truth today.

It takes over an hour, but Ceylin lays it all out. The pictures of the crime scene where they found Asen. The DNA test proving that neither Ceylin nor Ilgaz were related to the child. The adoption interviews, paperwork, references. All of it. She shows her mother pictures and videos proving Çınar did not kill Inci. Or Zafer. Pictures and videos of Zafer kidnapping Çınar. Even the video of Serdar killing her father. She leaves nothing out and everyone is crying by the time she's done. Even the doctor.

"That day you and Baba kicked me out of the house?" Ceylin continues. "It wasn't an accident. Yekta made sure Baba found out I was still Çınar's lawyer. He knew the whole time, and for some reason decided on that moment to tell Baba. The next day, I went home with Engin. And that's when I knew. That's when I knew that someone in that house had killed Inci. Think back, Anne. This was only maybe a week after Inci had been killed. Yekta knew that Engin had killed her. He covered for Engin. And when we proved Çınar innocent, he set up Osman. And then he made sure Baba still suspected Çınar. He lied, Anne. He lied to Baba. The same way he lied to you."

Maybe it's the way she explained it all at once. Maybe it was all the documents, pictures, and videos. Maybe the medication and therapy really are making a difference. Because for the first time, Ceylin looks into her mother's eyes and can see that reality has seeped in. She doesn't know how long it'll last, but at least for the moment, she's hearing the facts.

"But Metin Bey, he took my Zafer's body," Gül says, confusion warring with understanding. "Why would he do that?"

"Because he knew Baba very nearly killed his son for no reason. No reason, Anne. Do you understand what I'm saying? Çınar did not kill Inci. Çınar tried to help Inci. Metin was protecting his son from a killer."

"Don't call your father a killer!" Gül screams. "Your father was getting justice for Inci."

"Baba was seeking revenge. On the wrong person. Because he trusted the wrong person. He trusted Yekta. And Yekta screwed him over. Just like he screwed you over. Do you ever wonder why you're still sitting in here? Why Yekta hasn't come to get you out? How you even got caught in the first place? Because it's what Yetka wants. This whole thing is all part of his plan, Anne. He used you to get back at me. He used you to try to tear my life apart. He used your misplaced rage and made you believe whatever you needed to believe in this situation. Ilgaz isn't the bad guy. He never was. But Yekta made you hurt him anyway. He made you want to hurt him. That's not justice Anne. What you did had nothing to do with justice. Deep down I think you know that."

Ceylin plays the body cam footage from the police again.

"That's my son, Anne," she points out, the tears a steady flow down her cheeks now. "You have my son in a strange place after you had strange men kidnap him. You are giving him to even more strangers. How does this have anything to do with justice? How could you not know that by taking my son to hurt his father, you'd be hurting me too? Or did you not care?"

"Ceylin, I never meant to hurt you. Forgive me," her mother sobs, reaching across the table for Ceylin. But Ceylin backs out of reach.

"You need to make this right," Ceylin says. "I will always love you. You're my mother. But I don't know when forgiveness will come for this. But you can start by making this right. Tell the police what happened, who you're working with. Help us make Yekta pay for good. Not just for me, but for you. For Baba. He's ruined all our lives. Don't let his lies win."

Gül wipes at her tears and just nods.

"There's a recording," she admits, sounding tired. "The plan was very detailed. Yekta Bey told me I needed to follow every instruction to the letter. But I knew I wouldn't be able to remember everything. And he wouldn't let me write anything down. So I secretly recorded it."

Hope flairs to life inside of Ceylin. The recording, of course, wouldn't be admissible in court. But it's something. It's a start. It's proof that Yekta actually is involved. More than involved. That he's behind the whole thing. They'll make it work somehow.

"Thank you, Anne." Ceylin manages a small smile after her mother tells her where to find the recording. She gets up to leave, getting halfway to the door before pausing. She turns around and places her hand on the slight swell of her stomach.

"Work on getting well, Anne. And I promise I'll work on that forgiveness." Ceylin looks down at her belly. "We're going to need you."

Tears fill her mother's eyes, but Ceylin can't stay to watch. She turns and walks quickly out the door. Ilgaz is right on the other side waiting with arms wide open. She gratefully falls into them.

"Are you okay?" he asks, holding her as tight as she needs him to.

"I am now. Just hold me another minute," she whispers, burying her face in his chest. She's sure he can feel her trembling.

"Anytime," he says, gently stroking her back until she's calmed down.

She takes one last deep breath and steps away from him.

"There's a recording," she tells him. "Of Yekta. It outlines the plan. He doesn't know my mother has it."

She can see his brain working and stops him before he says what she already knows.

"I know it won't be admissible in court. But at least we know for sure what he's done."

"We'll figure something out," he says, kissing her forehead. He frowns when he swipes at the area under her eyes that she knows has to be puffy and swollen. "She made you cry."

"I'm fine," she promises, tipping up on her toes to kiss him. "Let's go home."

Yekta flips through the images that were just delivered to him. Annoyance simmers inside him as he realizes how once again he has underestimated the resilience of Ilgaz and Ceylin. This game isn't turning out to be as fun as he had expected it to be. A month ago, he leaked the news about Ceylin's mother being a kidnapper. He even hinted at how yet another Kaya could be possibly involved with yet another cover up of a crime. But the only response he got was a month of silence. And based on the pictures he just received from their little visit to see her mother, they look happier than ever. Not on the brink of divorce like he had hoped.

Unfortunately, pictures from the outside are as close as he is able to get to her mother right now. For some reason, it's harder to get a source on the inside at a mental hospital than it is to get one at the courthouse and police station. And even those sources are turning up nothing. It's as if nothing at all is happening in this case. Which is very unlikely. That must mean that tricky little Ceylin is up to something. But what?

"Trying to beat me at my own game? I don't think so," he mutters.

Time to turn up the heat. And then see how long Ceylin can stand it.

He sends a message to the person who took the other pictures of Ceylin and Ilgaz. He's going to need his services again.

I'm sending a girl to you. Use her and do whatever it takes to get a shot that will ruin Ilgaz Kaya's marriage. And maybe even his life.

"Let's see how much you really trust your husband, Ceylin Hanım," he cackles, an evil grin filling his face.

And just like that, this is fun for him again.