Chapter 219

[Six months into the coma]

The room lay shrouded in stillness, the soft ticking of a clock the only sound. Pale curtains fluttered as a light breeze crept through the half-open window. Ayleen sat slumped against her bed, her figure frail despite the prominent curve of her heavily pregnant belly. Her parents’ house had become her refuge, her prison.

Six months had passed since Murat slipped into a coma. Six months since she had last heard his voice, seen his smile, or felt his touch. After her collapse at the hospital, her parents had insisted she return home with them. They feared that living in the Khan Villa, surrounded by Murat’s memories would destroy her. But nothing seemed to make a difference.

Ayleen hadn’t shed a tear. Not once. Her face remained expressionless, her dark eyes hollow. Her hand rested on her bump, fingers unmoving, gaze fixed on the blank wall before her. She stared, but she wasn’t seeing.

The door creaked open.

“Ayleen, beta,” he