Towards the goal;

Towards the goal;
Arzu stood at the door, watching this scene. She felt a strange ache in her heart. She thought about how Mert could be like this with his own father, or how she could have brought Yaman into her life.

When they went downstairs, Yaman put on a flirtatious expression. He slowly walked towards Arzu, who was preparing drinks at the coffee counter. 

Arzu flinched for a moment when she felt Yaman's breath on the back of her neck and turned around. Yaman was right in front of her. 

Yaman asked with a deep growl, 
"Arzu... have you thought about it?"

"What?"

"Me helping you?"

Arzu took a deep breath. She had put off this conversation all day, but now she couldn't avoid it.

"Yaman... this isn't just about my husband or my fortune anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Arzu moved away a little and pulled up one of the bar stools and sat down, her hands trembling.

"It's been a year since my husband left, and I don't even remember his name anymore. Our wealth is gone too, but look, we're still happy. But the recent incident..." 

Her voice began to break.

"That woman Işıl sending gangsters after us, shooting Mert's father... And her unrelenting hatred towards me, even though she knows I have nothing left... That's what made me decide."

Yaman approached her. "What decision?"

Arzu fixed her eyes on him. A determination shone within her.

"I have to get rid of Işıl! I have to keep her away from my life and my son, who needs to be protected. If I have to get involved in dirty business to do that, I will."

Yaman approached and touched her cheek, about to protest when she said, "Yaman..."

"No! Listen to me. This woman could harm Mert. I can't allow that!"

Ateş wanted to touch her but held back. "I can always protect you, you know that, right? If it's about eliminating her, I can eliminate her," he said.

Arzu shook her head, her eyes showing steel-like determination.

"No, Yaman. I can't cause someone's death. Even if you kidnap her by some other means, such deep hatred doesn't just fade away. You can't always be by our side. One day she might come back for revenge. And I can't leave my son's life to chance. I can't be weak anymore. I can't hope that someone will always be by my side to protect me. I'm going to take away the thing this woman wants most."

Yaman muttered in a raspy voice, "Do you know what she wants?"

"Power. Money. Status. And..." she paused, "maybe Ateş Yamanoğlu."

Ateş's heart raced when he heard that name.

"What do you think? Do you want Ateş Yamanoğlu too?" he asked.

"I guess not. But... I have to get him first to defeat Işıl," he said.

The thought of being captured by Arzu for Yaman was intoxicating; his lips curved into a sly smile, but he didn't show it. 

"I'll take him down first. Then I'll confront him, when he has no power left. After he's lost everything, I'll make sure he can never stand against me again," said Arzu.

Ateş was impressed. This woman's determination, her courage...

"Well, you..." Arzu asked, turning to him, "can you control your feelings and be by my side? Can you help me? Like a friend..."

Ateş looked at her. He had answered that question long ago. No matter what, he would protect her.

"Of course. I'm with you," he said.

"This will be dangerous. Dirty business..."

"I don't care."

"Why? Why are you putting yourself at risk for me?"

Ateş looked at her for a long time. He wanted to tell her the truth, but it was still too early.

"Because... you deserve it. And Mert has to be safe. I love him."

Arzu approached him, put her hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Yaman. Really. I'm glad you're here."

Yaman smiled, put his hands in his pockets, and leaned back against the bar counter in a relaxed manner. "So, when do we start?" he said.

Arzu was happy, excited,
"Right away. Tomorrow morning here, okay?"

Yaman nodded with a smile, "Of course, Madam, I'm at your service..."

After Yaman left, Arzu called Natya over.

"Natya, I need to tell you something. From now on, some... different people will be coming to our house. Don't worry, they're our friends. But don't say anything to Mert. We mustn't let him know anything that's going on."

"I understand, Azu Hanım. Is there a problem?"

"Yes, but it will be solved."

Natya nodded. She trusted this woman like a sister. And she was always ready to serve.

That night, as Arzu lay in bed, plans were spinning in her head. It wouldn't be easy to take down Işıl. But now she had Yaman.

Meanwhile, Ateş was at home, talking to Cem.

"We start tomorrow," he said.

"What does Arzu want to do?"

"Revenge. And I'm going to help her."

"That's dangerous. What if your identity is revealed?"

"Then... then I'll tell everything."

Cem shook his head. "You're doing so much for this woman. I'm afraid you'll end up getting hurt, brother." There was concern in his eyes.

Ateş took a sip of his drink. "This woman... she's the meaning of my life."

Cem asked, "What if things don't go well, and your identity is revealed while you're protecting her? What if she doesn't love you in this dark state?"

Ateş looked out the window. "Then at least I will have protected her," he murmured.

The next morning was the first day of a new struggle. And this time, Arzu was not alone...