Chapter 134

The bench outside the hospital was cold and unforgiving as Ayleen sat with her head bowed, her fingers trembling around the crumpled report in her hands. Her flushed cheeks and red nose mirrored the tears dripping silently onto her lap. She had read the words on the report countless times, hoping each time they might change, but they never did.

Murat’s persistent fever over the past week had alarmed her. Initially dismissing it as a cold, she and Uncle Ibrahim had eventually persuaded him to get tested. Despite his resistance, he had complied, even going so far as to apologize to Dr. Minhaas for his earlier dismissive behavior.

When the results were ready, Murat had left for an urgent meeting, ignoring Ayleen’s stern glare. Left alone, she decided to discuss the findings with Dr. Minhaas herself.

The meeting with the doctor had been somber. His grave expression still haunted her.

“Ayleen,” he had said gently, his voice weighed with professional sympathy. “The