The reception area was almost empty.
Just a dim lamp, a silent TV mounted on the wall, and a row of plastic seats.
And one woman sitting perfectly still. 👩
Her posture was too poised;
her hands folded neatly in her lap,
her expression calm enough to be unsettling.
Her eyes lifted the moment Feriha stepped in. 😳
Selene.
She didn't smile.
She didn't blink.
She simply watched Feriha walk toward her, as if observing a long-awaited reunion.
Ravihan stayed slightly behind, tense and alert.
"Feriha Devran," Selene said softly.
Her voice was warm—disturbingly warm.
"As beautiful as I remember." 🔊
Feriha froze.
"You remember me," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Selene tilted her head, studying her like a beloved puzzle piece that had finally returned to its place.
"I never forget what's mine."
Ravihan stepped forward, jaw tight.
"She's not yours." 😡
Selene's eyes flicked to him briefly.
"And you… you've always been the one standing in the way."
Ravihan stiffened, confused.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
But Selene ignored him, turning fully toward Feriha.
"You came for her," Selene murmured. "For the girl. You always were the soft one." 😉
Feriha clenched her fists.
"Where is she? What did you do to her?"
Selene smiled faintly;
the kind of smile that never touched her eyes. 😃
"She's safe. Safer than she's ever been. But she ran too soon, before I could finish preparing her."
Before Feriha could respond, Selene extended her hand slowly;
not to touch, but to show something.
A small silver charm. 💥
Feriha's stomach lurched.
It was identical to the one on her bracelet.
An old memory flickered;
a matching pair, given to two little girls who were never meant to be separated.
Feriha whispered, "Why do you have that?"
Selene stepped closer, her calm voice dropping to a whisper meant for Feriha alone.
"Because you gave it to me." 📿
Feriha's breath caught.
"I… gave that to you?"
"Not willingly, of course," Selene said with a soft shrug.
"But you were scared. Confused. And you needed someone to trust. So you trusted me." 🙂
The words echoed in her chest like a blow.
Ravihan grabbed Feriha's arm gently.
"Don't listen to her. She's manipulating you."
But Selene wasn't finished.
"You left her once," Selene whispered, her eyes darkening.
"The little one with the blue ribbon. You left her behind;just like they told you to." 💠
The world around Feriha seemed to tilt.
"No," she murmured.
"That's not true."
Selene leaned in, her voice a deadly whisper.
"Isn't it? You ran. You saved yourself. You left her crying in the dark;calling your name."
Something inside Feriha cracked.
Images struck her like shards of glass;
a locked door
small fists pounding
a girl's sobbing voice
"Feri… don't leave me…" 🌟
Feriha staggered back, breath shaking.
Ravihan pulled her behind him.
"Back off," he warned.
Selene only smiled.
"I'll give you a chance," she said, stepping back with eerie elegance.
"One chance to make things right."
She placed the silver charm on the seat behind her and turned toward the exit.
As she reached the doorway, she glanced over her shoulder.
"If you want her back…"
Her voice dropped to a chilling softness.
"Come alone." 😏
And then she disappeared into the night.
Leaving Feriha trembling.
Leaving Ravihan furious.
Leaving the charm behind like a hook baited perfectly for the moment she breaks. 🙃