Chapter 173

Later in the night, Ayleen found Murat sitting alone on the balcony, staring at the sky.

“Thinking about her?” she asked softly, sitting beside him.

He nodded, sighing. “I keep wondering what would have happened if she had come back sooner. If I had let her in.”

Ayleen clasped her hands together. “She carried a lot of guilt, Murat. She thought she didn’t deserve your forgiveness, so she never tried.”

Murat clenched his jaw. “She should have.”

“But she did,” Ayleen said. “Every time she bought something for you, celebrated your success from afar, she was trying, in her own way.”

Murat swallowed the lump in his throat.

“You don’t have to forgive her today,” Ayleen added. “Or even tomorrow. Just… don’t close the door completely.”

Murat nodded, placing a small kiss on her wrist. “You’re the only thing keeping me sane, you know that?” he murmured softly.

Ayleen smiled. “Let’s eat something, you have to take your medicines too!”