Chapter 179

The bright, clinical light seared through her eyelids, and she blinked rapidly, attempting to focus. As her vision adjusted, a shadow loomed over her, shielding her from the blinding glare.

She didn’t need to guess who it was.

“Thank God, you’re awake!” Her mother’s voice cracked with emotion as she bent forward, gently wrapping her arms around Ayleen. The embrace was careful, as if afraid to break her.

Confusion swirled in her mind.

“What happened? How did I get here?” Ayleen’s voice was hoarse, each word scraping against her dry throat.

Her mother pulled back, brushing strands of hair from her face, her fingers trembling. “You fainted, beta. Berat and Mir found you and Murat just in time. You were both in terrible condition, but thank God, you’re safe now.”

Safe.

Ayleen swallowed, the memories flooding back in rapid flashes, gunshots, Murat’s blood pooling beneath him, his fragile body in her arms, the desperation in her voice as she screa