As the echoes of Leyla's disappearance resonated in her mind, the cold metallic smell of the operating room stung Aylin's nostrils. Under Murat's sharp gaze, she tried to steady the scalpel in her trembling hands, her heart fluttering in her chest like a trapped bird due to the intense emotional turmoil. "Aylin, focus," Murat said, his voice softer than his usual authoritative tone. "This isn't your first surgery. You know what to do."
"I know," Aylin whispered, "It's just..." The words caught in her throat. Just what? Just that she was here to avenge her mother's death, just that Leyla's disappearance deeply affected her, and just that Murat's closeness to her only complicated things further?
Murat gently tucked a stray strand of hair falling from Aylin's sweaty forehead behind her ear. "Just take a deep breath and focus on your work. I'm here." This unexpected affection from him confused Aylin even more. How right was it to take refuge in Murat's warmth while battling the thought that he might be part of a satanic plan that caused her mother's death?
As the surgery progressed, Aylin's attention wavered. She was following Murat's instructions to the letter, trying to make every move skillfully. But her mind was constantly on Leyla. What Demir had told her, Kemal uncle's investigations, and Leyla's recent strange behavior... When all gathered, it painted a dark picture.
"Aylin, stop the bleeding," Murat warned, his voice suddenly hardened. Aylin flinched and came to her senses. She quickly intervened and brought the bleeding under control. "Good job," Murat said, but Aylin sensed the worry in his voice.
After the surgery, Aylin felt as if she had been relieved of the pressure. After going to the dressing room, taking off her mask and gown, she took a deep breath. She looked at her tired face in the mirror. How far would she go on this path of revenge? And where did Murat fit into this equation?
At that moment, there was a knock on the door and Murat entered. He wasn't wearing a surgical gown, he wore a navy blue shirt and dark trousers. He looked perfect as usual. "Aylin, we need to talk," he said, his voice serious.
"I know," Aylin replied. "About Leyla."
Murat paused for a moment. "We'll find Leyla. Don't worry."
"How are you so sure?" Aylin asked, skeptically. "Do you know who kidnapped her?"
A momentary shadow appeared on Murat's face. "I don't know. But we will find it. I promise you."
Aylin looked into Murat's eyes. She felt he was hiding something there. He must have known something about Leyla's disappearance. "Did you?" she asked, her voice no more than a trembling whisper. "Did you kidnap Leyla?"
Murat's face contorted with a mixture of surprise and anger. "How can you say such a thing to me? I'm trying to protect you, Aylin. I never want you to get hurt."
"Protect me?" Aylin mocked. "Or do you want to keep me under control? Maybe you kidnapped Leyla to silence her, because she was starting to learn the truth too."
Murat took a step toward Aylin. "Aylin, you're talking nonsense. I would never hurt you." He reached out and wanted to caress Aylin's cheek. But Aylin flinched.
"Don't touch me," she said, her voice icy. "I do not trust you."
The expression on Murat's face was filled with pain and disappointment. "I don't know how to prove myself to you," he said, his voice desperate.
"By telling the truth," Aylin replied. "Were you involved in your mother's death? And what happened to Leyla?"
Murat was silent for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and leaned towards Aylin. "Aylin, there are some things... you don't need to know."
"Why?" Aylin asked, her heart pounding with fear. "Why shouldn't I know?"
Murat's eyes darkened. "Because if you know..." His voice turned into a threatening whisper. "...I can't protect you."
Aylin froze for a moment. She felt the threat in Murat's words to the bone. She knew that as she delved deeper into his dark secrets, the danger was increasing. But there was no turning back. She would not stop until she avenged her mother's death and saved Leyla.
"I don't need you to protect me," Aylin said, determinedly. "I just want the truth."
Murat smiled bitterly. "The truth hurts, Aylin. And sometimes, it's better not to know."
At that moment, there was a hard knock on the door and Demir entered. His face was red with anger. "Murat, we have a problem," he said, his voice tense. "A body was found in the warehouse."