The Forced Vows

ctly in front of me. My brother was both my bleeding wound and t

ice to see you. Though I never thought I'd find you in belonging t

ida remained dead silent, the presence of my older brother was enough to mute us all. Oguz was only two years ol

"No welcome for your brother?" he asked, the coldness between us palpable

ow you were coming. I was just surprised bec

five-year age difference-was definitely not my fault. Given the rigid circumstances of our fa

wheel, his eyes fixed on the rearview mirror. "Do you want this to reach father's ears, Marin

stopped laughing as his anger flared further. "I might as well

t he works hard-I am a wi

ess it too; only the

ou doing at

s birthday," I said

your f

hem? Stop acting like you know anythi

! Things are already complicated as it is, and we

leaned my back against the seat, and stared out at the road. Even

Elfida chimed in, clicking her tongue. She already despised my brother and father, s

ere quietly with your guilt. Thank God you entered with fake IDs

?" Elfida snapped back without backing down. "You're never around,

stanbul, Elfida

g in Istanbul when her entire family is in Midyat?! Can't you see she isn't even ha

*

ther had always been an ill-tempered person, so his reaction didn't surprise me. Oguz got out first and

r with heavy, mournful eyes. Unable to hold back any longer, he wrapped his arms ar

"I hope you go back to your f

my beautiful sister. Did we make a mistake by rai

even bring myself to hug him back. "You gave me a severe punishment, and f

or your o

e angry. Don't harbor resentment. I only did what my father told me to do. I

ked deathly serious. "What do you mean 'one last ti

p big time... and ther

ppened?"

walked through the block and passed familiar guards in the courtyard, they all straightened

rother?" I asked

nside first;

Especially coming all the way to I

, sister... It

apartment I shared with my aunt, an unsettling feeling took hold o

y brother and opened the front door. Feeling him follow behind me, I walked to my aunt

onfu