The Circle of Us

Nisa has spent her entire life trying to please the people around her. Born into poverty in Istanbul's Balat neighbourhood, she loses her brother at a young age and is eventually given a chance at a completely different life. Raised by a wealthy family, she receives an education, comfort, and opportunities her birth family could never have provided. But there is a price for leaving her old life behind. As the years pass, Nisa becomes increasingly distant from the mother who gave her up for her own good. She learns to fit into a world that is not really hers-and slowly forgets to ask herself what she actually wants. Then, at twenty-two, she becomes engaged to a man she doesn't love. And everything changes. A chance encounter with Kadir, a strong and quietly gentle man from the neighbourhood she left behind, makes Nisa question everything she has been taught about duty, family, and making the sensible choice. In a moment of impulsive courage, she chooses her heart. But happiness proves painfully fragile. When Kadir's former lover reveals that she is carrying his child, Nisa faces the most difficult decision of her life. Once again, she puts someone else's needs before her own and walks away from the man she loves. Years pass. Nisa builds a new life far from Istanbul and tries to bury the memories of the love she lost. Until she returns home. And discovers that fate has not finished with her yet.
The Circle of Us is an emotional story of first love, second chances, family bonds, sacrifice, and the difficult journey of learning that choosing yourself does not always mean abandoning the people you love.