Like a family;

Like a family;
But days passed, weeks passed. There was no news from Cemal.

Mehmet grew increasingly worried. With each visit, he saw that Ateş's condition was getting worse. He had become critically weak, his health was in a very bad state.

"Ateş, did Uncle Cemal come?"

"No, Dad. No one came."

"I don't understand... He was my closest friend. He should have reached you by now!"

Mehmet realized at that moment that he was alone. Even the people he trusted most had turned their backs on him.

The days that followed became even harder for Mehmet. In prison, Mehmet was gradually sinking into depression. Thinking about his son starving and living in the cold was torture for him.

Among the prisoners, there were those who teased him, saying, "Instead of stealing, you should have taken care of your son with the little money you had. Your son is on the streets." This hurt Mehmet even more.

One night, he couldn't take it anymore. In his cell, he read the last letter he wrote to Ateş through tears:

"My dear son,

I will never forgive myself for putting you in this situation. You are my most precious treasure, the meaning of my life. But now I can do nothing but be a burden to you. I would rather die than see you suffer because of me.

Forgive me, my son. I love you so much.

Your father"

And that night... Mehmet Yamanoğlu took his own life in his cell.

When Ateş heard the news the next morning, his world collapsed. He was truly alone now.

When he went to collect his father's body, he saw a man waiting at the door. It was Cemal. But it was too late.

"Ateş... my child... I'm so sorry. The letter reached me too late."

Ateş no longer felt anything for that man. No anger, no hatred. Just... emptiness.

"You're too late," he said coldly.

"I know. But now I'll take care of you. I'll fix everything."

Cemal looked at Ateş. This child was no longer the same. There was a coldness in his eyes that was far beyond his years.

"My father was honest," said Ateş. "But he trusted you. He thought you were a friend. And you..."

"Ateş, please listen to me..." said the man with regret in his voice.

"I wasn't in the country, son. If this letter had reached me, I wouldn't have wasted a single second. Please believe me!"

Ateş was now like a soulless shell. He could see from the man's face that he was telling the truth. But he was angry at the cruel fate that had been written for him. 

And that day, Cemal and Ateş returned home together... Cemal was not a clean man, but Ateş had no one left either. Being a clean man hadn't gained his father anything anyway; on the contrary, it had turned their lives upside down.

That day, Ateş made a vow: he would become strong enough to never be crushed again. Thus, the first step into this dark world had been taken.

Present Day - Yamanoğlu Mansion;

Ateş stood on the balcony, watching the night. He had woken up drenched in sweat, haunted by memories from the old days. These memories never left him. Those days had made him the man he was today.

Seeing the flickering flame of the cigarette on the balcony, Cem came over.

"Is it one of those nights again?" he asked.

Ateş looked at Cem's face. Cem had been with him for many years. He had seen Ateş's pain, his ambition, and his fear.

"This time I saw her, Arzu... She left me back then, Cem."

"I know."

"But now... now I want to protect her. What does that mean? Wanting a woman who left me. Is that weakness?"

Cem smiled. "I think it's the opposite. It means you're not that kid anymore. Maybe it means you're the strong one now."

Ateş sighed. "What if I tell her the truth? She loves Yaman, but she seems afraid of Ateş's darkness. What if she rejects me?"

Cem swallowed hard; he always spoke the truth, even if it hurt. 
"Then... you would truly lose her," he said. 

Ateş shook his head. He couldn't take that risk yet. If Arzu's goal was to get revenge, he would make sure she did. Then he would open himself up to her and hope to be loved...

But what he didn't know was that Arzu was also investigating his past at that time. And very soon, she would learn the truth.

\---

The doorbell rang at 7 in the morning. While Arzu was still sleepy, Mert ran excitedly, shouting. Because today was soccer day at school.
He opened the door happily,
"Uncle Yaman is here! Hurray!" 

Arzu came downstairs, smoothing her hair in her satin nightgown. Yaman was standing at the door, waiting with a bag of breakfast and a big smile.

"Good morning," said Ateş, in Yaman's guise. "Are we ready for soccer day?"

"Of course!" shouted Mert, showing off his cleats.

Arzu smiled at them. She hadn't seen Mert this happy in a long time. 
Her eyes turned to Ateş, "Breakfast is ready. Come inside."

Yaman's eyes wandered generously over Arzu's entire body, starting from her ankle. With a flirtatious smile, he murmured, "Thanks, you look beautiful, by the way," and went inside.

At the breakfast table, while Mert excitedly talked about the game, Yaman asked him thoughtful questions. What position he played, his favorite team, his dreams...

Watching this scene, Arzu felt a strange warmth in her heart. Yaman was talking to Mert like a real father. And... Mert was very happy.

"Mom, Uncle Yaman is going to make me a training program so I can become a soccer player!" Mert said excitedly.

"Really? That's wonderful."

Yaman looked at Arzu. "Of course, if you approve," he said.

"Of course. Mert's happiness is the most important thing to me," Arzu smiled. But this crazy man's gaze continued to linger on her. She paused briefly, feeling a little embarrassed. She swallowed and then said, "Okay, I'll get dressed and come, we'll be late," and went upstairs to get ready.

A little later, everyone was in the car. On the way to school, the three of them rode in the same car. Mert was singing in the back seat, and Yaman was joining in. Arzu watched this scene and joined them with laughter.

When they arrived at school, the other parents looked at Yaman with curiosity. He was a tall, handsome, dark but charismatic man. Mert proudly introduced him to his friends.

"This is my uncle Yaman! He's coming to the game with me!"

Throughout the game, Yaman cheered and supported Mert. When he scored a goal, he stood up and applauded. Arzu enjoyed watching this scene immensely. It was as if Yaman's current self resembled the smart and clean-cut boy he had been years ago. 

After the game, Mert ran up to them.
"Did you see? I scored a goal!" he shouted excitedly.

"You're amazing, champ!" said Yaman, lifting him up.

Arzu also hugged her son. "I'm so proud of you, you're awesome!" she said.

It had been a pleasant day for everyone.

On the way home, Mert fell asleep from exhaustion. Arzu and Yaman were talking quietly.

"Thank you," Arzu said softly. "Today meant a lot to Mert."

"It did to me too. He's a wonderful kid," said Yaman.

Arzu caught the way he looked at Mert.
"You... would make a great father," she murmured.

These words touched Ateş's heart. Would he want a child in such a terrible world? But looking at this woman he had fallen in love with years ago, he felt a great excitement inside. Imagining her, he murmured,
"Maybe one day..."

When they arrived home, Mert was still asleep. Yaman carried him in his arms to his room and laid him in his bed.

"Sleep well, Champion," he murmured, stroking the child's head.