“No.”
“Please, Baba. Everyone will be there!”
Letting out a sigh, I stare at her pleading face until my fucking heart melts.
God help me.
“Only if Deniz goes with you,” I relent.
“Yes! Thank you!” She darts up to give me a hug, making me smile from ear to fucking ear.
She’s just like her mother. Has me wrapped around her little finger.
Alya starts to talk about the upcoming party, and I don’t follow a word of what she’s saying. But I listen, nodding every couple of seconds.
When we’re done eating, her fingers brush over the sapphires.
“There’s a tracking device in it,” I say. Her eyebrows draw together as she glances down at it. “See the little button at the back?”
“Evet.”
“Whenever you’re in danger, or even just a little scared, press it, and I’ll come.”
And fucking kill whoever dares to threaten you.
“I’ll always come.” My voice cracks over the words.
“Seni çok seviyorum, Baba,” she whispers, her bottom lip trembling.
“I love you more, gözümün nuru.”
Jesus, I’m about to cry like a baby.
Clearing my throat, I stand up and hold my hand out to her. “May I have this dance?”
She wipes a tear from her cheek and lays her small palm in mine. I pull her into my arms, the safest place on earth for her, and steer her slowly across the floor.
Leaning down, I press a kiss on her hair. “You’ll always be my little girl.”
She nods, resting her cheek against my chest, just like her mother’s done a million times.
“Do you believe in true love?” she whispers.
“Evet.”
“Do you think I’ll find it?”
“Definitely.” I press another kiss to her hair, then promise, “Just like your mother and I, you’ll find your happily-ever-after.”
The End.