Evren didn’t kiss her gently. It was rough. Almost like a challenge — to everyone, and most of all, to himself. Through the pounding of his own heart, he barely registered the gasps from his colleagues, and then her palm slapped his cheek with full force — and silence fell. Bahar shoved him away, Uraz helped her, and she turned and walked off. Uraz and Siren followed behind.

Evren stood frozen in the exact spot where she had left him. He didn’t move, just stared at the place where Bahar had stood just moments ago… and now she was gone. Her, her eyes, the scent of her perfume — all vanished. He flinched, inhaled sharply, and only then started moving in the same direction they had gone.

Rengin, standing by the conference room door, had witnessed everything. She closed her eyes wearily, not noticing a man in a suit approaching her. No one paid him any attention — the room had already erupted into discussions again, and the word “bets” surfaced once more.

– Let’s go inside – she heard a man’s voice and opened her eyes. – I’m here on behalf of the Board – he explained.

She turned silently and reentered the room. Ahu slipped in behind her, closing the door. Rengin watched the man closely — around fifty, black suit, folder under his arm, calm gaze.

– The team is falling apart from within – he said pointedly after a pause. – Are you still sure you’re ready for a transplant surgery? Ready to jeopardize the entire hospital?

– This has nothing to do with the operation – Rengin replied, clearly unsettled.

– I have to file a report – he said, tapping notes into his tablet. – The hospital’s reputation is already in question, and in a few hours, things could get worse – he looked up at her – and if they break down, it will all fall on your shoulders. All the responsibility. Do you really believe a team like this can keep a patient balanced on the brink of death?

Rengin hesitated for just a moment — enough for him to continue.

– Adem Yurdakul – he introduced himself.

– Have a seat – tension flickered in her eyes.

He slowly approached the table, placed the folder down just as slowly, but didn’t sit.

– You have a strong team, an interesting mix, but it’s fractured – his voice was neutral. – Professor Evren Yalkın is leading the surgery? – he confirmed.

– Yes.

– I received the video along with everyone else – another pause – yes, it’s a private matter, but we assess not just the technical aspect of surgery, but also the team’s emotional resilience.

– It’s a provocation – Rengin’s voice turned sharp.

– I’m observing for now, but if internal conflicts threaten stability, the responsibility will fall to you – he paused again – I know you work in tandem. I hope that doesn’t cloud your judgment – he fixed her with a steady look. His face revealed nothing — calm, emotionless. – I’ve read the report from an older surgery involving Professor Evren – he tilted his head slightly, extremely polite, but somehow his courtesy made her want to scream – I’ll be present in the OR personally this time – he warned. – Last time, I didn’t make it in time – with that, he picked up the folder, turned, and left without waiting for her response.

The door closed softly, soundlessly behind him. Only then did Rengin allow herself to exhale…

***

She wanted to exhale — not just exhale, but scream... like back on the terrace, when the three of them — Parla, Evren, and she — had screamed to let it all out. But now she simply stood there, listening, while Uraz poured out everything that had built up inside him.

– He’s never going to come near you again, Mom. That’s what I told him! – he said, his voice shaking with fury. – I don’t want to operate with him – he hesitated – but I will!

In that I don’t want to, but I will, she caught a flicker of childlike stubbornness, and for a moment, she almost smiled… almost… but she couldn’t. There was no room for smiles.

– Uraz – Siren tried to catch his hand – calm down.

– I am calm – he pushed his chair back with a loud scrape.

Siren stepped aside, and Bahar took a step back. She looked at her son in silence, and didn’t recognize him — not because he was angry, but because of how deeply he hurt for her.

– How could he dare, after kissing Naz, to kiss you? – his outrage knew no bounds. – In front of everyone?! After that video, which everyone saw!

Bahar paled. She hid her right hand in the pocket of her coat. Her fingers still throbbed, her palm burned from the slap… and his cheek?

– Aren’t you going to say anything? – Uraz stared directly at her.

She shrugged — the only thing she could do.

– He’s a good doctor – she said quietly.

– And what?! – Uraz’s voice trembled – so what? He operated on you, yes! – he agreed. – Yes, he’s a doctor, but that’s all. That doesn’t give him the right – he faltered, then went on – he’s just a doctor! Just that! He’s with Naz! Everyone saw it! Are you really going to just accept it? Yeah, I saw them hug. She left.

Bahar’s eyebrows lifted slightly. She’d seen the hug too. Just the hug. She understood everyone was expecting a reaction from her… but hadn’t she already given one? Was it not enough?

– Uraz, Reha’s surgery is in an hour – she reminded him. – We need to be there, with him, with Mom.

– We’ll go now – Uraz came closer – but please, Mom, no more Evren – he pleaded.

Siren sighed behind him. Bahar stayed silent. She didn’t even look at him.

– You won’t say anything? – his voice quivered – are you really going to forgive him for this? – he gestured wildly – Mom?

Bahar swallowed hard, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and looked at her son.

– Say something – Uraz demanded. – You’re not going to make excuses for him, are you? – he gripped her shoulders. – Say something – he pleaded again.

– Uraz, stop pressuring Bahar – Siren touched his shoulder.

– Have you all lost your minds? – he stared into Bahar’s eyes. – Then why didn’t you forgive Dad? Why does Evren get away with everything? I don’t understand, Mom, how is he any better than Dad? Just because he doesn’t have kids on the side? That’s only a matter of time — you know that!

Bahar closed her eyes again. She heard everything, but she still couldn’t speak. Couldn’t draw conclusions. She couldn’t make sense of what he had done, what he had said, and what everyone had seen. Yes, she had slapped him in front of everyone… but to explain anything now — she couldn’t. Because she didn’t understand what she was feeling.

– Uraz – she whispered, looking at her son. She knew that one more word and she would snap, but she didn’t have that right. – We have a difficult surgery ahead. Now’s not the time – she tried to end the subject.

Bahar raised her arms and hugged him, quick and tight, and stepped back immediately.

– Mom – Uraz tried to catch her hand, but she slipped it back into her pocket.

– I need to check on Esra – Bahar said and turned to leave.

– Uraz – Siren leaned into her husband’s shoulder.

– What? – he threw his hands up – what was that? Do you even understand her? – he stood with his back to her, and Siren simply hugged him from behind.

– Let’s just be quiet for now. Bahar’s right. We need to see Gulchichek and the girls – she reminded him.

– Siren, I don’t understand her – Uraz admitted.

He looked lost, as if he didn’t know whether he had done the right thing… but how else was he supposed to act… how?

***

How was she supposed to move forward now? Bahar stepped into her office, sat at her desk for a moment, and her fingers instinctively started tapping the keyboard, pulling up Esra’s latest lab results. She read them carefully, her mind still racing. As a doctor, she knew exactly what to do, how to proceed. But in everything else... there was this wild urge to burst onto the terrace, just to breathe... but she couldn’t do that unnoticed. Too many eyes now, she was completely exposed, like an open book.

– Bahar? – Doruk peeked into her office.

– I got the test results – she replied too sharply.

– Yeah, I sent them to you. Everything’s stable for now – he said seriously. – Did you hear about the observer?

Bahar closed the chart and turned away from the screen.

– What? – she didn’t understand.

– We’ll have an observer during the surgery. He’s already at the hospital – Doruk informed her, then fell silent.

Bahar stood up from the desk.

– We’ve had observers before – she said calmly, frowning slightly. – It’s all by protocol.

Now the comments she had overheard in the conference room made sense — the ones about “observation” she hadn’t paid attention to.

– Unpleasant guy – Doruk muttered at the doorway.

– I need to check on Esra – she glanced at the clock – then Reha’s operation – she flexed the fingers of her right hand, still feeling a dull ache.

– You need to rest – Doruk reminded her. – It’s going to be a long surgery.

Bahar nodded, walking ahead of him down the corridor. Out of the corner of his eye, Doruk noticed Cem by the stairwell door. He even lifted his hand, as if to ask something, but Cem had already slipped through the door.

– Doruk – she suddenly stopped.

– I wonder if Cem found the professor – he was still looking that way and bumped right into Bahar.

– What? – she turned to him, completely ignoring the fact that he nearly collided with her. She only cared about his words.

– Cem’s here at the hospital? – she repeated.

– Just saw him – Doruk pointed toward the stairs – but never mind – he waved it off.

– The video – she frowned, trailing off.

– It’s already been deleted from the group chat – Doruk replied a little too quickly. – The observer’s been added to the chat too – he added.

Bahar didn’t react. She kept frowning, mumbling something under her breath as if working through a thought.

– Later – she exhaled suddenly, her gaze settling.

To him, it even seemed like she almost smiled. He hurried after her, noticing her stride had grown more confident. It was like she had pieced herself back together. She moved forward now, as if she no longer cared about the glances of her colleagues or the whispers behind her back. Doruk could’ve sworn her eyes had started to shine again, as if a spark had reignited inside them. He smiled for her, walking behind her, his shoulders lifting. His Bahar was back — and he was glad.

***

– I’m glad Reha’s going to be okay – Umay sat down on the couch and unscrewed the bottle cap.

– Grandma’s still in his room, left them alone for a bit.

– The surgery’s soon – Parla sat beside her and turned her phone face down.

– Is he still texting? – Umay asked calmly.

Parla looked at her closely.

– Not anymore – she admitted. – He was… and then suddenly stopped.

Umay took a few sips of water and screwed the cap back on. She held the bottle with both hands, staring at one spot.

– You know – Parla shifted closer to her – I didn’t think you’d be this calm after everything.

Umay gave a faint, bitter smile and bit her lip for a moment.

– It hurts – she whispered – but I won’t cry anymore. There’s no point. It hurts a lot, especially… – she trailed off, unable to continue.

– Especially what? – Parla didn’t understand, leaning in closer – Umay? – she grew wary, glancing around before asking, unaware that Siren had just come around the corner. – Was there something between you?

Siren froze. Umay flinched, gripping the water bottle even tighter.

– You and Cem? Was there? – Parla pressed. – Umay?! – she demanded an answer.

– Parla! – Umay snapped, leaning back against the couch. – Stop interrogating me!

– And here we are – Uraz approached, linking arms with Siren. They walked over to the couch where the girls were sitting. – Grandma’s in the room?

– Mom said you two should go rest – Umay sat up straight.

– She was here? – Uraz frowned, his smile disappearing.

– Yes, she stopped by Professor Reha very briefly – Parla answered instead of Umay – took Yusuf with her and left.

Siren hadn’t taken her eyes off Umay. Parla’s question clearly troubled her, but what unsettled her even more was that Umay hadn’t given any answer at all.

– Cagla! – Umay suddenly jumped up and rushed to her.

She hugged her at once.

– Bahar said you were here – her voice was lifeless. – I’ll stay with you.

She looked pale, colorless, as if all the light had left her the day they buried Tolga.

– Cagla – Uraz helped her sit down.

– I’m fine – Cagla lifted her hand, cutting off any further questions. – We’ve got Gulchichek, and Bahar is busy.

– Busy? – Uraz’s brow furrowed instantly.

– She went to see her patient – Parla snapped her fingers – Esra, I think.

Uraz visibly relaxed. Siren rolled her eyes, realizing that things definitely wouldn’t ever go back to the way they were.

– Yes, yes, I’m fine – they first heard Nevra’s voice, and then saw her round the corner.

She was nodding, phone to her ear, inspecting something on the floor.

– I understand, I told Bahar, thank you – she nodded again, listening – okay – she ended the call and looked up.

Only then did Nevra realize everyone was staring at her.

– Have they taken him yet? – she hurried over.

Everyone shook their heads silently, watching her.

– Then we wait – Nevra sat down next to the girls and Cagla, placing her hands on her knees.

– We wait – Uraz stepped away and leaned against the wall.

Siren followed him. She knew they were supposed to go rest, that time was dangerously short, and that the operation ahead was going to be one of the most difficult they’d faced — and no one knew how it would go…

***

He knew things wouldn’t just blow over. Too many eyes, too many whispers. Now he saw and heard it all clearly — the things he used to ignore. But it had happened before. The talks, the bets — when he came back… and she had stayed silent, tried to talk to him, reach him. And he… Evren cursed under his breath, walking down the corridor.

He had already passed by Esra’s room several times, hoping to catch her, still clinging to the idea that they could talk. But Bahar had vanished. He even went down to the floor where the professor was, but there was no sign of her. Bahar wasn’t with the others waiting outside Reha’s room.

His pace slowed as he saw Serhat stepping out of his daughter’s room, tablet in hand, eyes down. Evren could have walked past. But now — he couldn’t. He stopped. Serhat, sensing someone’s gaze, looked up. He slowed his step and came to a halt as they stood face to face.

– Don’t you have surgery? – Evren broke the silence. – Shouldn’t you be resting?

– You’re that confident? – Serhat checked his watch. – First Professor Reha, then straight into a twelve-hour operation?

Serhat tucked the tablet under his arm.

– Wasn’t this exactly what we dreamed of back in med school? – he reminded him. – Living in the OR for days?

– That was then. Now we’re responsible for lives – Evren was deadly serious. – I never thought we’d end up in the same operating room.

– I didn’t expect it either. But I knew – Serhat nodded. – When I accepted the invitation, I knew this moment would come.

– We’re not friends anymore – Evren stared him down – we’re just doctors now. And as a doctor, I’m asking you — are you sure you can handle it? Professor’s surgery will take six hours. And now – he glanced at his watch – we’ve only got five left. You won’t make it.

– Who are they to you? – Serhat took a step closer. – Are they your family?

– I almost… – slipped from Evren’s lips.

– There it is – Serhat smirked – typical you. So, no.

Evren clenched his fists.

– Don’t touch Bahar – he said barely above a whisper.

– Don’t even start – Serhat cut him off. – What’s between me and Bahar is none of your business.

Evren turned pale.

– Between you? She’s not free – his voice was trembling.

– And you? – Serhat heard the ping of a new message but ignored it. – Are you free, Evren Yalkın? Isn’t that what you always wanted — to be as free as the sea? All your life? – he reminded him. – So? Dream come true? Are you happy?

– Stay out of it! – Evren was ready to lunge at him. – You want a repeat?

Serhat remained expressionless.

– You can’t demand honesty when you yourself— – he gave a faint smile for the first time – you think she’s yours? Seriously?

– Bahar… – Evren faltered – it’s all just too complicated.

– For whom? – Serhat demanded. – Maybe you’re the one who made it complicated – he paused, watching the storm of emotions cross Evren’s face. – I saw the way you look at her – he continued, staring at Evren’s face – I saw her walk away from you.

– Don’t you dare! – Evren exploded.

– What ties you to that family? Tell me! – Serhat demanded.

– Everything! – Evren said clearly. – Too much to list!

– And too late to fix it – Serhat continued. – You haven’t changed, Evren Yalkın.

– Don’t touch the personal stuff – Evren warned, pointing a finger – you’re the last person to judge me!

– We both knew what we were getting into. You left earlier, I stayed a little longer – Serhat sighed. – So it’s just the job now? – he tilted his head slightly, then masked his face again.

– Just the job. Otherwise, the surgery fails – Evren replied.

They almost passed each other, but Serhat’s words, spoken to his back, made Evren stop in his tracks.

– About the video – I don’t make bets. I just hold a patient’s heart in my hands – he said, and walked away.

Evren stood there in the corridor. His own heart was beating so loud, he could barely hear anything else…

***

She tried not to hear anything. Bahar knew people would talk behind her back. They’d keep whispering for a long time — especially now that they had such a reason to. But she had already made up her mind… there was just one small thing left. She could’ve left Yusuf out of it, not dragged him into all this, but there was no one else she could trust. Uraz was too categorical. Siren stood somewhere in between. Umay was still reeling from her break with Cem… oh, Cem. Bahar sighed, gripped her tablet tighter — and winced.

She looked at her hand, confused why her fingers still ached, as if the slap itself had seeped under her skin… if her fingers still remembered, what about his cheek?

A man in a suit was walking toward her at an unhurried pace, holding a folder under his arm.

– Doctor Bahar Özden – he said with extreme politeness, but the sound of his voice alone made her uneasy.

– Yes? – she furrowed her brow slightly, instinctively clutching the tablet to her chest.

– I’m the observer for the upcoming operation. Adem Yurdakul – he paused. – We haven’t met. Formally.

Bahar nodded and offered her hand. Adem looked at it first before shaking it — holding it a little longer than necessary, with a cold, deliberately slow confidence. His gaze remained steady, expressionless.

– If you want to review the operation protocols – she began, feeling her insides tighten just at the sight of him – all our documentation is ready and up to date.

– I don’t doubt it – he said, continuing to look at her. – They say you rely on your intuition during surgeries – another pause – and sometimes you follow it with too much confidence.

Bahar nearly shivered under his stare. His words didn’t directly insult her, but something in his tone made her uneasy.

– When you work with the heart, confidence isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity – she cleared her throat.

Adem stepped half a pace closer.

– They also say… you know how to stand by someone – again, a theatrical pause, and Bahar waited patiently – even when standing by them means taking responsibility for their mistakes.

He nodded, as if he knew exactly what he was referring to. But to her, the phrase made no sense. Still, she flinched, not even sure why.

– Excuse me? – she leaned in slightly, tilting her head as if trying to hear better – what do you mean by that?

– Sometimes the past returns – he said slowly – to remind us – a pause – see you in the OR, Doctor.

He walked past her, and she just stood there. Slowly lowering the tablet, Bahar turned her head, her eyes filled with unease — what exactly did he mean? What did he know or not know? She didn’t understand…

She refused to understand. Shaking her head, she tried to snap out of the strange haze the observer had left her in. Observer? They’d been through something like this before. Surgery, a hand, Evren. A cold wave rolled through her. Bahar turned back — was he here for Evren? What had Evren done now? She didn’t know anymore.

Bahar moved forward quickly, then stopped abruptly, turned the other way, paused again. She didn’t know where to go. The dull ache in her fingers pulsed again, and she shook her hand as if it would help. She nearly gasped when her fingers were suddenly enveloped in warmth — his hand.

– Evren – she exhaled with relief.

– Bahar? – he looked at her intently.

– Let’s go – they said it in unison, their fingers tightening around each other.

Like co-conspirators, they rushed down the corridor until they heard voices ahead and had to stop and turn in a different direction.

They were both searching for a place to hide — from stares, from whispers. Their breathing was out of sync, ragged, as they slipped into the dressing room and closed the door behind them, pressing their backs against it.

They were breathing heavily, almost in unison, still holding hands.