Aras's icy gaze swept over Zeynep's skin. He parted his lips, the words forming in his mouth like poisoned arrows. "So you're playing the role of an avenging angel, huh, Zeynep Erdoğan?"
Zeynep's heart skipped a beat. *He knew. How did he know? Alp... That bastard ruined everything.* A scream erupted inside her. She tried to maintain her composure, answering, "What nonsense are you talking about, Aras? What revenge?" She forced herself not to let her voice tremble.
Aras let out a mocking laugh. "Don't give me fairy tales, Zeynep. Alp told me everything. About your father going to prison because of that judge, and that's why you came here..." His eyes locked with Zeynep's. "So, what was the plan? Allure Defne first, then ruin her father's career? How pathetic."
Zeynep's cheeks flushed. Alp had told Aras everything. Why? What was his aim? Revenge, or just amusement? "There's nothing between you and me, Aras. I don't care what Alp said."
Aras took another step closer, and Zeynep leaned against the wall. "Really? I see something completely different in your eyes, Zeynep. Ambition, anger, desire... Just like me." His whisper sent a shiver down Zeynep's spine.
Meanwhile, Alp watched them, his arms in his pockets, leaning against the wall. There was a complex expression on his face; regret, or just curiosity, Zeynep couldn't tell. When his eyes met Zeynep's panicked gaze, his lips curled slightly upward.
"Enough, Alp," Zeynep said, not breaking eye contact with Aras. "Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"
Alp shrugged. "I just wanted to reveal the truth. I'm curious what people are hiding behind their masks." His steps slowly approached them. "Maybe I just wanted to have some fun, who knows?"
Aras turned to Alp. "If you try to touch her, Alp, I'll make you regret it."
Alp laughed. "You? Make me regret it? Don't forget, Aras, you're just as guilty as I am."
Zeynep looked at them in astonishment. Guilty? What did he mean? She knew about Alp's family's dirty business, but what could Aras be guilty of? Her head was spinning.
"What do you mean?" Zeynep asked.
Alp turned to Zeynep, his eyes gleaming darkly. "Aras has dark secrets too, Zeynep. Darker than you can imagine." He paused for a moment, as if choosing his words. "A murder case, for example..."
Zeynep froze. A murder case? Aras? Impossible. But there was a grain of truth in what Alp said. That darkness in Aras's eyes, that pain... Maybe everything wasn't as it seemed.
Aras's face turned white. "He's lying," he said, his voice trembling. "Don't believe him, Zeynep."
Alp laughed mockingly. "Lying? Everyone will know the truth soon, Aras. There's no point in hiding it."
Zeynep wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. This tension, these secrets were too much for her. But she couldn't run. She had caught onto something, and she had to learn the truth.
"What happened?" Zeynep asked, her voice trembling. "What are you hiding, Aras?"
Aras looked into Zeynep's eyes, desperately. "I can't tell you," he said. "I have to protect you."
"What are you protecting me from?" Zeynep pressed.
Alp interrupted. "The truth, Zeynep. The truth is sometimes the bitterest medicine."
At that moment, the door opened and Defne walked in. "What's going on here? Why is everyone so tense?"
Defne's gaze caught on Zeynep's face. "Zeynep, are you okay? Your face is white as a sheet."
Zeynep shook her head. "I'm fine," she said. "I'm just a little tired."
Alp turned to Defne, a mocking smile on his face. "Maybe she learned a little too much, Defne. The truths sometimes hurt."
Defne looked at Alp in astonishment. "What do you mean?"
Alp shrugged. "Never mind," he said. "We were just having some fun."
Zeynep couldn't stand it anymore. She had to get out of here. "I'm leaving," she said. "Good evening to all of you."
She turned and hurried away. Her heart was pounding as she walked down the hallway. What had just happened? Was Aras involved in a murder case? And why had Alp revealed it? What was his purpose?
She entered her room, locked the door, and collapsed on the bed. She closed her eyes and replayed the events in her mind over and over. Everything had happened so fast. While making revenge plans on the one hand, she had faced an unexpected secret on the other.
Her phone rang. It was Alp calling. Should she answer? What would she say? But she succumbed to her curiosity and answered the phone.
"What do you want, Alp?" Zeynep asked, her voice cold.
Alp's voice echoed on the phone. "I was just wondering, are you okay?"
"I don't think you're really wondering about me," Zeynep said.
Alp laughed. "Maybe you're right. But know this, Zeynep, you haven't seen anything yet. The game is just beginning."
Zeynep swallowed. "What game?"
"The game of a poisoned alliance," Alp said. "And you, Zeynep Erdoğan, are one of the most important players in this game."
The phone hung up. Zeynep held the phone tightly in her hand. A poisoned alliance... What did he mean? And why was he drawing her into this game? She was sure of one thing: Nothing would ever be the same again. This was just the beginning, and the rules of the game were not yet clear.