Together Again

Chapter 8

The past month had been a whirlwind for Eda. Her days at work were a mixture of triumphs and struggles, days of feeling energized and connected to her team, followed by days when her confidence wavered, and she couldn’t bear to show up at all. Serkan, ever supportive, had stood by her, understanding that healing wasn’t linear and that Eda’s journey would take time.

On a bright morning, Eda came into the office with Serkan. They had settled into an unspoken routine—he’d accompany her to the office on the mornings she felt strong, and on the harder days, he encouraged her to rest or take a mental health day. Their colleagues had gradually adjusted to Eda’s irregular schedule, many of them recognizing that she was doing her best and being supportive in her own way. But there was one person whose simmering resentment had reached a boiling point.

Selin.

Since Eda’s return, Selin had barely masked her disdain, her glances growing sharper with every kindness shown to Eda and every moment she saw Serkan’s unwavering devotion. Selin had always harbored unspoken feelings for Serkan, and his closeness to Eda only fueled her bitterness. In private, she plotted and vented to those who would listen, yet most in the office avoided her now. They saw through her jealousy, choosing to rally behind Eda instead.

The Calm Before the Storm

That morning, Eda felt unusually focused. Sitting at her desk beside Serkan’s office, she sifted through her work, feeling productive. There was a quiet, serene rhythm to the day, and she felt a rare sense of peace. Even Selin seemed to be keeping to herself in her office, leaving Eda alone for once.

Around mid-morning, Serkan received a call from one of the construction sites. A minor issue had come up, and his presence was required. He glanced at Eda, hesitant to leave her behind, but she reassured him with a gentle smile.

“I’ll be fine, Serkan,” she said softly, giving his hand a squeeze. “It’s just for a few hours. I have plenty to work on.”

He nodded, but not before leaving instructions with the security team. “Eda will be using my car to leave today, whenever she’s ready. Please escort her wherever she goes and make sure she’s safe.”

The guards nodded, understanding the importance of his instructions, and Serkan reluctantly departed. He gave Eda one last, reassuring smile before stepping into the elevator.

The office settled back into a quiet hum as Eda returned to her tasks. She was reviewing project documents, lost in her thoughts, when she heard hurried footsteps and a familiar, sharp voice.

Selin’s Outburst

Selin stormed out of her office, her face contorted in rage, heading directly toward Eda. The suddenness of her approach jolted Eda out of her focus, and she looked up, blinking in surprise as Selin loomed over her desk.

“Do you think you’re some kind of princess?” Selin spat, her voice laced with venom. “That you can just waltz in and out whenever you want, disrupt everyone’s work, and get special treatment just because you’ve been ‘ill’?”

Eda’s face paled. The bitterness in Selin’s tone was unlike anything she’d heard before. People in the nearby cubicles looked over, their eyes wide with shock, but no one dared to intervene.

“I… I don’t understand, Selin,” Eda stammered, her voice trembling.

“Oh, don’t play innocent with me!” Selin continued, her voice growing louder, her words filled with a venom that made Eda flinch. “You’ve turned this whole office into a pity party! Every single person here has to bend over backward for you, while you lounge around, getting coddled like a helpless child.”