Don't give up on me.

THIRTY THREE

Johum was already regretting saying anything as soon as the words left her mouth. To be honest, she did feel a little bit afraid when Murat stood up with his eyes filled with anger and his face red. Even Nehir couldn't calm him down and that usually worked. On the other hand, her father's reaction was the opposite. He let go of the spoon that he was holding and it cluttered on the plate. Other than that, he remained still.

"What do you mean he has a daughter?" Murat asked, his harsh eyes turning towards her. Johum gulped and wiped her sweaty hands on her pants.

"Uh, I mean... it's not a big deal." Damn, what could she say in a situation like this? She averted her eyes and moved them anywhere but him.

"Dad?" Murat looked at his father and then turned back to Johum. "Do you mean to tell me that he has a bastrad child al-"

"Don't you dare call her that! She is not that!" Johum yelled, her hands curled tightly in to fists. She wanted to smack the water jug on his head.

"Then what am I supposed to call her?" He banged his hands on the table, juggling the cutlery. "Am I supposed to act like it's fucking okay for my sister to be married to some manwhore who has a daughter without marriage?!"

"Murat calm down." Nehir grabbed his arm. He yanked his arm out of her reach and glared at her.

"No I won't calm down! Dad! You made the decision. Did you know about it?" Samir refused to say anything as he crossed his arms and just plainly stared at Murat. Murat huffed and threw his hands in the air, "Are you kidding me right now? Why are you all acting like it's freaking normal?"

"He was married before." Johum mumbled, "and Rüya, she's a legitimate child." She said.

"What the— dad?" Murat looked at his father. "I was against this marriage thing. I told you I didn't trust him but you— I can't believe you'd do this to your own daughter!" He banged his fist on the table making Nehir flinch.

"Murat please..." She begged him silently.

"Now you don't even like to answer?" He asked his father in disbelief, "She's your own blood God dammit! Why would you be this irresponsible? That Zayan Helmy has done nothing but hurt her every single time dad! This is fucked up!"

"When you're done throwing tantrum, we'll talk." Samir stated, staring at his son who was about to burst. Murat just shook his head and stormed out of the dining area. Johum breathed out, not knowing what she should do. Before she could think anymore about the topic, she was called.

"Johum." Samir stood up, turning around to face her. Johum looked at him attentively. "Come to my office." Johum was confused but she nodded and bit her bruised lip, hissing as she accidentally grazed the cut.

She followed her father inside the office, feeling like another bomb was going to be dropped on her that she wasn't ready to endure. But wasn't it already too late? Shouldn't she already know about her life, her own life that had become nothing but a lie?

She took a deep breath and calmed herself down, mentally preparing herself for whatever was to come. Once inside the office, she sat opposite to Samir on the chair with the desk separating them. He looked at her for a moment and then sighed.

"You knew it, didn't you dad?" She said and she knew the answer before he had even opened his mouth. Because she could see the guilt on his face.

"Yes." She gasped under her breath, not understanding anything that was happening or the reason for it. "And...I know you weren't attacked in a mall today." At that, she stiffened and just simply stared at the wooden desk in shock.

"Zayan told you." She mumbled under her breath, not liking Zayan very much right at the moment. But she knew it wasn't his fault.

"He did." She looked up as her eyes glazed over with tears.