Chapter Text
Ceylin was sitting in the office of the chief prosecutor in Istanbul, waiting for the investigative team with which she was supposed to open this case.
She has been working tirelessly on this case for the last 4 years. It all started in Ankara, when a battered woman jumped in front of her car and asked for help. Ceylin discovered that the woman was one of the victims of a network crime involving hundreds of helpless women and children.
Ceylin moved to Ankara to manage the Erguvan-Tilman bureau branch 4.5 years ago, after divorcing Ilgaz Kaya and accepting the proposal of her former enemy, Yekta Tilman.
Yekta gave Ceylin not only a job, a nominal partnership, a bank account, an apartment and a car.
Life offered Ceylin many strange things. She would never have thought that one day her enemy would be her greatest friend, and her friends would be her enemies, who recklessly destroyed her life 5 years ago and buried it under the ground with the fake body of Ilgaz Kaya.
Returning to Istanbul for the first time after 5 years, Ceylin was thinking about this irony of life when the door of the chief prosecutor's office opened and a group of law enforcement officers entered the room.
Ilgaz Kaya. Of course he is. When Ceylin saw Ilgaz , she immediately looked away. Of course, she wondered what the man who was the greatest love of her life and who had caused her the greatest pain looked like. has he changed? is he still the same? How does he feel when he sees her? Is Ilgaz interested in Ceylin as much as Ceylin is interested in him? Is he looking at her too or trying to look away?
With Ilgaz there were Metin, Eren, Tugce, Umut and another young man whom she did not know.
It is great.
It took Ceylin 5 years to get over her past, and now every single one of her ghosts is in front of her. Looking rather shocked and awkward, Ceylin remarked.
"Gentlemen, you know lawyer Ceylin Erguvan, there is no need to introduce her. The case she started in Ankara received a nationwide response. Her bravery moved us all. Ceylin Hanim, your loyalty and the fact that you don't back down despite a lot of threats and blackmail is exemplary. I, as a female law enforcement officer and a citizen, thank you," Prosecutor Nadide addressed to Ceylin.
Ceylin smiled and nodded silently in thanks.
"Ceylin Hanim came to our department with the details of the case. She conducted an investigation, which proves that the network of sexual exploitation of women and children is also in Istanbul, however, due to the special operation in Ankara, they are trying to liquidate and erase all traces of the network. Now speed and accuracy are the most important.
Ceylin Hanim, Istanbul Prosecutor's Office offers this team, the most experienced prosecutors and investigators with a positive coefficient in opening cases. My team and I are at your disposal. Let us know the results of your search and we will try to plan an effective operation."
"Thank you, Madam Chief Prosecutor, I welcome the members of your team. I have experience of working with Prosecutor Ilgaz and investigators", - smiled Ceylin - "I am sure that you will treat this case with responsibility and kindness like me, gentlemen," - Ceylin addressed the team and fixed her eyes on Metin - "My team will leave from Ankara and I hope tomorrow for the work meeting We will conduct our investigation. Time is running out, Mrs. Chief Prosecutor" - she turned to Nadide - "I estimate that the Istanbul network has about 100 women in captivity, how many children, it is unknown. Those who get pregnant give birth there and the children grow up there. Orphaned women are tricked into sexual exploitation after graduating from school and are forced to serve men as well as collect compromising materials to blackmail them. Anyone who disobeys the rules, resists or tries to escape, ends their life with a brutal death. I know from the stories of women released in Ankara that they are killed by beatings or rapes... their stories are a nightmare, be sure you have never heard them in your life.
Without exaggeration or self-praise, gentlemen, 4 years ago, when I met the first hero, I decided that I will not back down to help these women, and if necessary, I will give up my life, literally" - Ceylin finished her speech and clenched her fist tightly to hide inner anger and pain.
Nadide agreed on the work schedule for the next day and ended the meeting. Ceylin grabbed her bag and quickly left the office to avoid talking to them. But her quick walk down the corridor was stopped by the sound of Metin.
“Ceylin, daughter. wait for me. I thank you for filing a lawsuit to close my case. Now my name has been cleared and I have been reinstated. I didn't get a chance to say thank you until now, because you didn't want to communicate with us, but... thank you," said Metin, and he hugged Ceylin suddenly.
Soon after moving to Ankara, Ceylin decided to cut all ties with the Kaya family. She asked Yekta to finish the cases of Metin and Cinar and to get the lawsuits out of court. She also sent Defne a message apologizing for leaving without saying goodbye and wishing her a happy future. Ceylin felt a little guilty about leaving Defne, but she knew she was leaving the girl with a loving father, grandfather, and brothers.
Moving to Ankara was literally necessary for Ceylin to continue her life. Thus she closed all accounts with the Kayas. Only Merdan Kaya kept in contact with her, who often helped Yekta and talked to Ceylin. Actually, the cooperation between Yekta and Merdan was Ceylin's idea.
Ceylin felt uncomfortable in Metin's arms, which Metin soon realized and released his ex-daughter-in-law. Ceylin mumbled a small 'nothing', touched Metin on the arm, said goodbye and turned to leave, when she saw Ilgaz behind him.
The sound of Ceylin's heels could be heard in the silent corridor. A second voice soon joined her quick steps.
- Ceylin? - She heard Ilgaz's voice.